NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Top 10 Dunks of All Time

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend has lost its luster over the years. This year is no different, with the lineup featuring the Minnesota Timberwolves' Derrick Williams, the Houston Rockets' Chase Budinger, the Utah Jazz's Jeremy Evans and Paul George of the Indiana Pacers.

None of these players really exude excitement, but they could provide us with that one dazzling moment that could make them a permanent fixture among slam dunk lore.

Before the event kicks off, I wanted to give my top 10 individual slam dunk contest jams of all time. This will give us a barometer of how this year's competition stacks up and to see if any of the competitors can bump any of these from the list. 

10. Spud Webb, 1986: "Floor, Backboard, 5'6"???"

Before today's creative juices really started flowing, the only prop that players used was the backboard. Then when you add throwing the ball off the floor before hitting the backboard, you get a pretty revolutionary idea for a jam.

But what makes this slam so special is the fact that Spud Webb stands a mere 5'6", cementing the diminutive dunker as one of the best of all time.

9. Dwight Howard, 2008: "Superman"

The hype surrounding this dunk might actually be more impressive than the dunk itself, but the entire experience speaks for itself.

From Dwight Howard revealing the Superman shirt, to the dunk itself, the crowd was engaged and Howard delivered, giving the impression that he was actually flying. 

8. Isaiah Rider, 1994: "Between the Legs"

Not as impressive as the degree of difficulty we see nowadays, but when Isaiah Rider took it from the baseline and between his legs, it caused quite a stir. His own reaction after the dunk probably helped out a bit, too. 

7. Jason Richardson, 2003: "Final Dunk"

Coming off his victory in 2002, Jason Richardson knew he needed to step up his game. His final dunk in the 2003 contest proved that he was keenly aware of the fact that the competition was gunning for him.

6. Dominique Wilkins, 1986: "Windmill"

The Human Highlight Reel didn't need much creativity in his day. Dominique Wilkins threw down jams with such ferocity that I still think they would play well in today's version of the slam dunk contest.

You mix his strength with the windmill-style execution, and you get this. 

5. Nate Robinson, 2009: "Kryptonite"

Still not sure why Dwight Howard allowed his primary competition to use him as a prop, but the camaraderie is commendable. To combat "Superman," Nate Robinson covered himself head to toe in green, even using a green ball en route to jumping over Howard for the stuff. 

4. Blake Griffin, 2011: "Car Cram"

This is another dunk where the hype might have exceeded the quality of the final result—but add in the use of a car, Baron Davis' assist and the power that Blake Griffin uses to throw it down, and this dunk will be remembered for a very long time.

3. Amar'e Stoudemire, 2005: "Header"

This is probably the most underrated dunk of all time. The degree of difficulty with Amar'e Stoudemire throwing the ball off the backboard then Steve Nash heading it back to him for a semi-360 dunk, is very impressive.

2. Michael Jordan, 1986: "Jump Man"

And then there was Jump Man—enough said.

1. Vince Carter, 2000: "Vinsanity"

You really can't make me pick one dunk, can you? Vince Carter's performance in the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest, in my opinion, will never be surpassed. The range of creativity and the flawless execution gave us the standard for which all future dunk contests will be compared.