Best Slam Dunkers in Basketball

The Top Ten
1 Vince Carter Vincent Lamar "Vince" Carter is an American professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings of the National Basketball Association.

This list is severely flawed. I know everyone worships the ground Michael Jordan walks on, but the truth is MJ is a good-not great-dunker. He sure wasn't better than Dominique Wilkins in the 88' dunk contest. Wilkins killed him.

Darryl Dawkins at No 12 is an insult. No one was better in terms of brute strength and power. And where is Larry Nance? He could rock the cradle like nobody's business. That certainly brought more style points than an MJ regular dunk from the foul line.

Dr. J was one of the greatest. His beautiful windmill dunk over Michael Cooper in the 83' Finals was one of the best I've ever seen.

No way Lebron gets elite status either. Step up to a dunk contest if you really are the King. I doubt he ever will.

Vince and Dominique Wilkins are the ultimate combination of grace, style, and power. I'd put Vince on top but it's extremely close. If Vince gets a 99 then Dominique gets a 97 or 98.

MJ isn't even capable of dreaming about the filthy, freak of nature dunks of Vinsanity. That opening dunk in 2000 dunk contest by Vince was the best I've ever seen. A 360 against the grain windmill. Just listen to the crowd's reaction. And Shaq's too.

When it comes to dunkers, Vince is the real King.

2 Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan, also known by his initials, MJ, is an American retired professional basketball player.

Drafted by the Chicago bulls in 1984, Jordan is the greatest player of all time. His dunk have definitely stood the test of time. A two time dunk contest qualifier and had one it once. Plus a hall of famer.

Michael was a great player, no doubt about that, but when it comes to dunking to me at best I, ll rank him at number 4 with dr j as number 1, dominique at 2 and vince carter at number 3 and that, s my opinion.

Created so many types of in-game dunks and was the most completely unstoppable dunking force of all time. And easily the greatest player EVER.

3 Julius Erving Julius Winfield Erving II, commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is an American retired basketball player who helped popularize a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and playing above the rim.

I grew up in the Dr. J error, Doc is the MAN! Period, end of story! If it wasn't for his love for the game and his passion, his hart, the entertainment on the basketball court. Are you kidding me? Come on everyone, give this man his due because he paid all of them. Someone had to be the leader, started it all and he is it. The rest of the gentlemen learned from him. Their wouldn't be any magnificent highlights in this wonderful sport if he didn't play the game. Raise that percentage.

Dr. J was the first NBA player I loved to watch play. He played in an era where highlights were not shown all the time, like they are today. I'm sure he had hundreds of amazing dunks that were only seen by the fans in the arena that night. If Dr. J would have played his entire career in the NBA, he would have been more appreciated. He was the most exciting player, the 13 years before Jordan arrived. Jordan only took over due to Ervings age.

4 Dominique Wilkins Jacques Dominique Wilkins is an American retired professional basketball player who primarily played for the Atlanta Hawks of the National Basketball Association.

Drafted by the Atlanta hawks in 1981, dominque is considered one of the greatest Dunkers of all time. He was known for beating Jordan in the dunk contest and is a hall of famer.

Best combination of creativity AND power!

So underrated but so talented. Definitely the best dunker of all time
#teamdominque

5 Kobe Bryant Kobe Bryant (1978 - 2020) was an American retired professional basketball player. He played his entire 20-year career with the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA championships with the Lakers and was the all-time leading scorer in Lakers franchise history. He Retired in 2016. He died in a helicopter crash in Calabasas, California at age 41.

Kobe is very artistic in air. Above the rim, there's nothing he can't do in any place on the floor, fearless, not only dunks but he's living legend, the best player in his generation, just watch his highlights! Tnx...

HIGh flier best dunker from the side. Dunks are so smooth. And by the way doc j didn't invent the dunk it just wasnt allowed... And lebron is horrible anyone that big should be able to throw it down

If you don't admit to one's self that he is the greatest to play during his time then, you haven't been paying attention.

6 Lebron James LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association. LeBron has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat, and the Lakers.

LeBron is far from the top 10. All he does is pull it back and slam it in. No creativity at all. He would be lucky to get by the first round of the dunk contest.

He's the best no one can be better than him. He should be at the top of the list because he is just like a monster eating people he can defeat everybody

He is like King Kong when he threw it down. So aggressive and I loved the way he does it on the court.

7 Blake Griffin Blake Austin Griffin is an American professional basketball player for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association.

Y is Blake not the top. I can't think of anyone better. Hello he was a slam dunk champ. Plus he's super hot. He's got the whole package. Plus his Kia commercials r outrageously funny! If you haven't seen them yet watch them. Of there is anyone else who could dunk better than him and look sexy while doing it I'm sure I would have heard of them.

Right now there are non better than blake at dunking, he basically makes a living off of attacking the rim. Jordan in all honesty was better but today, there are none better than griffin.

Blake is truly an epic dunker. And a delicious one at that. He's so hot! Anyway, from the lobs from CP3, or the putbacks made possible by DJ, this 6'10 behemoth can start a rim massacre.

8 Shawn Kemp Shawn Travis Kemp is an American retired professional basketball player, who played in the National Basketball Association for 14 seasons.

Power style creativity... kemp had it all... remember lob city with Gary Payton?
Kemp always threw it down hard and was explosively quick he gets my vote

I was never a big fan of Kemp, but this is a joke. He is hands down the best dunker to ever step foot on a court. I don't think there's even an argument

No doubt about it. Some of those guys at the top of this list are great. Shawn Kemp was hands down the greatest of them all!

9 Spud Webb

Spud Webb is a awesome NBA player way did he retire because everybody will be coming from every were just to see him Spud Webb is a short guy like me but we can jump high because one day. I jumped 89 feet in a fitness test.

If a guy under 6 foot can whip everyone in a dunk contest, how the hell is he not the best?

Has one of the best vertical jumps in the game.

10 Clyde Drexler Clyde Austin "The Glide" Drexler is an American retired professional basketball player. During his career, he was a ten-time All-Star, and named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

Drafted by the Portland trail blazers in 1983, Clyde " the glide" drexler wowed people with his ability to glide as he dunks. Drexler is now a hall of famer.

How is THIS low? Get your heads out of your butts and vote for this guy!

The Contenders
11 Gerald Green Gerald Green is an American professional basketball player for the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association.

Drafted by the Boston celtics in 2005, he showed some of the most unbelievable and athletic dunks ever. A three time dunk contest qualifier and had won it twice.

People don't know Gerald Green because he's never been a big name player, but dude can get up and throw down like nobody's business.

12 Jason Richardson

Easily one of the greatest to ever dunk a basketball. Top 3 for sure

Mid-Michigan's finest. Oh you didn't know.

13 Shaquille O'Neal Shaquille Rashaun O'Neal, nicknamed Shaq, is a retired American professional basketball player who is currently an analyst on the television program Inside the NBA. He is known for his fun, friendly personality, and is one of the most beloved athletes of all time.

Shaq is the best dunker of all time because he makes the rim suffer.
He always broke the rim when he floats in the air and aiming for a slam dunk.

Got to remember the question is not who is the most FLASHY dunker its who is the best dunker and he was unstoppable. but couldn't could shoot for live

Shaq and LeBron shouldn't be on the list.

14 Darryl Dawkins Darryl Dawkins was an American professional basketball player, most noted for his days with the National Basketball Association's Philadelphia 76ers and New Jersey Nets, although he also played briefly for the Detroit Pistons and Utah Jazz late in his career.

Drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers in 1975, he had powerful dunks that were so strong that they had to make the rims stronger because he had broken two backboards. He was one of the first players drafted out of high school

15 Tracy McGrady Tracy Lamar McGrady Jr. is an American retired professional basketball player who is best known for his career in the National Basketball Association, where he played as both a shooting guard and small forward.

Drafted by the Toronto raptors in 1997, Tracy brought show time dunks to Toronto. His dunks were unpredictable; it could be skillful, powerful, or athletic dunks. Tracy came straight from high school to the nba and is a possible hall of famer.

Ask Shawn Bradley who he thinks the best dunker of all time is.

The Best- He takes the most ridiculous shots and risks and comes through

16 Wilt Chamberlain Wilton Norman "Wilt" Chamberlain was an American basketball player. He was born on August 21, 1936 in Philadelphia and died on October 12, 1999 in Los Angeles due to heart failure.

Wilt Chamberlain set the books by scoring the most points scored in a single game (100), most rebounds in a game (55), and most consecutive field goals (18).

He played for the Philadelphia/San Francisco Warriors,... read more

His "baseline dunk" was truly amazing; he jumped straight up with his head BEHIND the backboard, and reached up under the basket to dunk it in with his wrist.
Wilt is also the ONLY player in history to actually dunk from behind the free-throw line; all the rest, including MJ and Dr. J had their toe touch the line when they took off.

Has anybody ever even seen this guy dunk? Shouldn't be on the list.

Wilt once dunk the ball so hard that he broke somebody foot when the ball hit the ground

17 Dwight Howard Dwight David Howard is an American professional basketball player for the Washington Wizards of the National Basketball Association.

In my opinion, best slam dunk contest winner (Great leaping ability for how tall he is)!
Blake griffin's not that great and not as good as Dwight Howard. (Blake is a better shooter)

Great dunker all around. He could win any NBA dunk contest anytime he wanted to.

He didn't have the best season but when he wants to he can dunk the basketball.

18 Josh Smith Josh Smith is an American professional basketball player who last played for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association.

Dunk champ in 2005, and he hasn't stopped throwing down since.

Atl represent! J smoove is a boss

19 Zach Lavine

Totally the best dunker he's the defending slam dunk champion and won the 2015 and 2016 slam dunk contests! Go Timberwolves!

He is the only one that might be able to challenge the GOAT Vince Carter.

He should by be first with Michael Jordan trailing him!

20 Nate Robinson Nathaniel Cornelius Robinson is an American professional basketball player for Homenetmen Beirut of the Lebanese Basketball League. Born in Seattle, Robinson played college basketball for the University of Washington in Seattle and was the 21st pick in the 2005 NBA draft.

Nate Robinson's only 5'9'' so back to #2. How the (swear word) isn't he first in this whole entire all-time first. 2nd is Spud Webb. The last is Shaq. He doesn't jump, he only just ordinary hang on tight!

Jumped over dwight howard slammed it home, dubbed "krypto-nate", won the contest. Oh, yeah, and he's 5 feet 9 inches. Now tell me again how he's not number 2. (Gotta give it to Vince)

Little guy but guess what! He could dunk and jump over the taller man

21 Derrick Rose Derrick Martell Rose is an American professional basketball player for the Minnesota Timberwolves of the National Basketball Association.

He is quite possibly the best dunking PG in the history of the league.

22 Aaron Gordon Aaron Addison Gordon is an American professional basketball player for the Orlando Magic of the National Basketball Association.

He is a really good dunker like have you watched Zach LaVine vs Aron Gordon

23 Larry Bird Larry Joe Bird is an American retired professional basketball player who played for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association. Bird is a 3x champ, 1x ROTY, 1x Finals MVP, 3x 3PT Contest winner, all with the Boston Celtics. (1979-1992)
24 Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association.

Russell Westbrook is the most athletic pg in the game right now. Have you seen his highlights from the 2015 and 2016 all star games. The guy is a beast. He's a point guard that dunks like a big man

25 DeAndre Jordan Hyland DeAndre Jordan, Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association.

Jordan's dunk in Detroit was monstrous.

The most athletic center of all time.

8Load More
PSearch List