The dunk contest was this past weekend.  I watched it because I want to see some of the dunks, but I still couldn’t tell you every competitor that was in it.  In fact, I think the winner was someone named Terrance Ross.  I know..who?

In honor of the dunk contest, I wanted to throw down my list of the best NBA dunkers that have been in the dunk contest.  These are all done by my memory and what made an impact for me.  Let me know what you think.

  • Dr. J – If you don’t know who Dr. J is, you should never watch the NBA again.  Look him up on Youtube.  This guy was the original thunder dunker.  What made him so great besides his leaping ability was that he had huge hands.  He could palm the ball straight off the dribble without securing it with his other hand.  Unfortunately, when the NBA had their first dunk contest, he was nearing the end of his career.  I don’t care.  He was the first one to highlight the dunk from the foul line and his dunks in the NBA Finals warrant him a spot in this list.
  • Michael Jordan – His airness took dunking to a new level.  This was when superstars said, “yeah I’ll dunk.”  His hang time was unbelievable and not only were his dunks graceful, but powerful as well.  His jump from the foul line was also legendary.
  • Dominique Wilkins – He and Michael Jordan had some awesome battles in the dunk contest.  Dominique never really strayed from his strength.  He was pure power.  Where Michael and the Doctor would take off a lot off of one foot, Nique had the two foot explosions down to a science.  His windmill dunks were unreal.
  • Isiah (J.R.) Rider – Some of you are going who??  J.R. Rider when he came into the league had an interview and was asked what his aspirations were.  He said he wanted to win the Dunk Contest.  Not make an All-Star team, win a title, but win the Dunk Contest.  Nice!!  And he did.  I got to put him in there.  He had a baseline through the legs dunk that was pretty awesome.
  • Vince Carter – His hops were reminding some people of Michael Jordan especially since Vince went to UNC.  Vince took the dunking to another level by hooking his arm in the hoop after the dunk.  He dunked it and hung on the rim by his elbow.
  • Blake Griffin – The guy is powerful and can jump out of the gym.  He secured himself a contract with Kia by jumping over a Kia to win his dunk contest.  He jumped over a car.  I don’t care if it was the hood of a car, it was a car.  I did that over a matchbox car on a 6 foot rim.  Not the same thing.

Who am I leaving off?

I know Nate Robinson and Spud Webb are really short and winners of the dunk contest.  They can dunk better than me and I’m taller than them, but it can’t crack this list.  If they were 6′ 5″ and had their same leaping ability, then maybe we could talk.  But, I don’t stop what I’m doing to watch a short guy dunk.  Can they take off from the foul line and dunk?  Exactly.

I love Kobe, but I really can’t remember any of his dunks.  I think Brent Barry is only memorable because he was a white guy winning the contest.  His dunks were nice, but not to the caliber of these guys.

Who should be on this list?

Lebron James and Russell Westbrook should be in the dunk contest and should be on this list.  Lebron won the McDonald’s All-American dunk contest when he was in that and it was a pretty devastating display of dunks.  He has so much power and leaping ability it would be awesome to see him against Griffin and Westbrook.

Westbrook is just an athlete.  He is so explosive at his size, I bet he would have some creative dunks.  Get in the contest Russell??!!  We want to see it while you’re young.

Let me know what you think of my list and put your two cents worth in the comments box below.  Remember, if you don’t agree you must choose a dunker that has been in the contest before.  Let’s get the debate going.