NBA Dunk Contest: Ranking the Last Decade of Dunk Contests

There was no greater dunker than Vinsanity in his prime
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

There have been exciting and compelling dunk contests in the history of the NBA. The NBA has come a long way from the initial dunk contest in 1984. The first dunk contest was actually held in 1976, when Julius Erving was a member of the ABA. Now the league has a new cast of stars that are leading the pack in athleticism. 

Lets take a look at the most impressive, and unimpressive, dunk contest from the past 10 years.

10. 2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

The contest that was held in Dallas was a bit of a dud. The competition for a two-time champion Nate Robinson was fairly weak.

On a lighter note, Nate Robinson did retain his title and win his third dunk contest title. 

 

Contestants

Gerald Wallace

DeMar DeRozan

Nate Robinson

Shannon Brown

 

Winner

Nate Robinson

9. 2004 NBA Dunk Contest

When Jason Richardson met up with Fred Jones in the finals of the dunk contest, Jones looked like a long shot to win the title. However, Jones ending up pulling off the victory.

 

Contestants 

Fred Jones

Ricky Davis

Chris Andersen

Jason Richardson

 

Winner

Fred Jones

8. 2012 NBA Dunk Contest

Though the dunks were very creative from the contestants competing, the flair was not there. Some of the dunks were unimpressive, while others stood out incredibly such as the Jeremy Evans two-ball alley-oop dunk—SICK! 

 

Contestants 

Chase Budinger

Jeremy Evans

Derrick Williams

Paul George 

 

Winner 

Jeremy Evans

7. 2003 NBA Dunk Contest

The battle between Desmond Mason and Jason Richardson was classic. A dunk-off between two supreme athletic dunkers, they definitely had fans captivated in their battle. Richardson would have to pull off an incredible dunk to win the contest. 

 

Contestants

Amar'e Stoudamire

Richard Jefferson

Desmond Mason

Jason Richardson

 

Winner

Jason Richardson

6. 2006 NBA Dunk Contest

As Josh Smith decided to come back to defend his dunk contest title, this would be the first of Nate Robinson's dunk contest trophies.

In this contest, a lot of fans felt that the winner would be Andre Iguodala because of the dunks he managed to accomplish, but Nate Robinson would end up having the upper hand. 

 

Contestants

Andre Iguodala

Nate Robinson

Hakim Warrick

Josh Smith

 

Winner

Nate Robinson

5. 2005 NBA Dunk Contest

Josh Smith began his reign as the dunk contest champion this year. Winning in an impressive fashion, Smith took home the title paying homage to the legend Dominique Wilkins.

 

Contestants 

Chris Andersen

Amar'e Stoudamire

J.R. Smith

Josh Smith

 

Winner

Josh Smith

4. 2009 NBA Dunk Contest

In 2009, Dwight "Superman" Howard was defeated with the arrival of KryptoNate. The dunk contest was at a peak when these two competed against each other. Ultimately dethroning the defending champion, Nate Robinson captured his second dunk contest championship. 

 

Contestants

J.R. Smith

Dwight Howard

Nate Robinson

Rudy Fernandez

 

Winner

Nate Robinson

3. 2007 NBA Dunk Contest

The birthday cake dunk from Gerald Green was one of the iconic staples of the dunk contest in the decade. Competing against Dwight Howard, Green pulled another great dunk showing respects to former dunk contest champion Dee Brown.

Gerald Green electrified the crowd and took home the title, defeating Nate Robinson as well. 

 

Contestants

Nate Robinson 

Dwight Howard

Gerald Green

Tyrus Thomas

 

Winner 

Gerald Green

2. 2008 NBA Dunk Contest

Dwight Howard won his lone NBA Dunk Contest title in this competition. Howard needed to defeat Gerald Green who won the dunk contest the year before.

Superman arise!

 

Contestants

Rudy Gay

Jamario Moon

Dwight Howard

Gerald Green

 

Winner

Dwight Howard

1. 2011 NBA Dunk Contest

Winning the contest in a grand fashion like no other, Blake Griffin jumped over a KIA. Pill said it best in his song Pacman. "Straight drop hard got them J’s plate licking/ ground basing jumping over cars they Blake Griffin."

Another standout dunk was when JaVale McGee showed off his freakish athleticism completing two dunks in two different rims. 

 

Contestants

Serge Ibaka

Blake Griffin

JaVale McGee

DeMar DeRozan

 

Winner

Blake Griffin