Repeating this competition today would require the presence of the likes of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Blake Griffin and Nate Robinson, but it would also require participation and/or victory in a previous contest from each of those stars. Michael Jordan was not present in 1986, setting up a showdown between defending champion Dominique Wilkins and his diminutive Hawks teammate, Spud Webb, who was listed at 5-foot-7. Unfortunately the rules made it so the competitors had to do too many dunks, so, in an effort to preserve energy for the All-Star Game, the players left their best efforts in the locker room. He stunned fans out of the gate with a 360 windmill and never took his foot off of the accelerator. The very first dunk contest took place in 1976, and Julius Erving won it on the strength of a free-throw line slam. He shut the house down with the backward between-the-legs number. Brent Barry, warm-up and all, wowed the crowd with a pair of foul-line dunks to (air)walk away from the court in San Antonio with the title. Variety: 9 out of 10. All Rights Reserved. He brought the ball back behind his right ear while kicking his legs in a modified spread eagle. This was special. Vince Carter put on a stunning display in his only dunk-contest appearance. These golf games can be based on reality or have some elements of fantasy to it. Ultimately, this was Webb's show, and he did well to mix it up with a straight-on double clutch (1:15 mark), a reverse with a scissor-kick off the bounce (1:25 mark) and a 360 stuff (1:59 mark). Total: 40 out of 50. Total: 43 out of 50. Jordan's best moment in 1987 was his free-throw-line dunk; the slam improved on the one he offered in 1985 because he made it look a bit easier, but it lacked the "ooh, ahh" factor of his 1988 foul-line winner. Using his shoes, an extra ball and his off arm, he was able to add new elements to three dunks that are pretty easy to recall all these years later. Brown did a two-handed windmill and a two-handed reverse double clutch that went down clear to his ankles (3:20 mark).
Not bad for a guy who would transform himself into one of the NBA's deadliest three-point marksmen when his hops left him in his later years.
His competitiveness shined through in the final round as he perfectly balanced his desire to maintain his throne with an understanding of the developing Webb-centric story. But the criticism comes from fans and analysts who remember the roots of the contest, and hope to see a repeat of the kind of innovation that not only changed the contest but influenced the league for decades. Carter cast such a long shadow with his 2000 performance that the legacy factor for Richardson is limited a bit. The staying power of this dunk contest is amazing. Even the most cynical and old-school anti-props viewer had to marvel during this one. LaVine pulled it off with a bounce and catch and brought the ball between his legs and then behind his back. I worked at a nutrition startup for a year, now I am sharing how to live your happiest healthiest life. Star presence: 10 out of 10. For the first time ever, the viewers at home decided the outcome of the NBA's annual dunk exhibition...and they got this one dead wrong. There was nothing to complain about with any of these. [Photo Gallery: Slam Dunk Contest Winners]. All Rights Reserved.
With 28 options to choose from (we're including the 1976 ABA contest for reasons that'll be explained later), narrowing down a top 10 is tricky.
Mason Plumlee scores a 36 in the first round of dunk two of the Sprite Slam Dunk contest. Rivalry: 10 out of 10. Variety: 7 out of 10. Many consider this dunk from Irving to be the move that started it all by sparking the NBA's decision to hold a contest of its own. 4. There was always an itchy feeling that McGee, who advanced to the finals, wasn't going to be able to win a close contest; indeed, he was blown out in the fan vote despite an excellent showing. Variety: 9 out of 10. His in-game dunking exhibitions were legendary. As if making up his mind to shift out of hover mode, Jordan reached forward to finish the slam, packing it smoothly through the rim, much to his own delight.
'Nique, then 30, went out on top and cemented his status as one of the contest's influential founding fathers. Many have said Jordan and Wilkins’ career paths could have been changed if the outcome proved different. Carter has received his just due for his astounding performance, but let's not sell McGrady short. What Spud Webb did in 1986 still doesn't even look real.
Obscene.