10 NBA Studs Not Named Blake Griffin Who Can Rock the Rim

Blake Griffin is—hands down—the most electrifying dunker in today’s NBA.

However, the league is full of athletes, and there are a plethora of players who can rock the rim as Griffin can. Whether it’s a small guard or one of the game’s top post players, several NBA players sell tickets simply by their rare ability to dunk the ball.

Let’s take a look at 10 NBA studs not named Blake Griffin that can rock the rim.

10. Paul George (Indiana Pacers)

6’8” 215 Pounds

College: Fresno St.

George appeared in the 2012 Slam Dunk Contest, and he certainly didn’t disappoint, dunking over teammates Dahntay Johnes and Roy Hibbert. Combine his 6’8” frame with a 6’11” wingspan and a 37” vertical, and you have a recipe for some rim-rocking dunks.

9. Rudy Gay (Memphis Grizzlies)

6’8” 230 Pounds

College: Connecticut

Gay has a long and athletic build, prototypical for dunking. He competed in the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest, and although he failed to advance past the first round, he fared well enough to be invited back to compete in the competition the following year. Gay is much more than just a dunker, but his athleticism is certainly on display as he attacks the rim.

8. Shannon Brown (Phoenix Suns)

6’4” 210 Pounds

College: Michigan St.

Brown competed in the 2010 Slam Dunk Contest and failed to advance to the second round, but he has saved his best dunks for game action. Brown is absolutely fearless taking the ball to the basket, and he’s known for taking off from the free throw line as well as dunking over opponents.

7. JaVale McGee (Denver Nuggets)

7’0” 252 Pounds

College: Nevada

Although he has become an Internet sensation for a handful of mishaps on the basketball court, one cannot ignore McGee’s sensational athleticism. McGee was the runner-up to Blake Griffin in the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest, and he’s had a plethora of electric dunks in game situations.

6. DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors)

6’7” 220 Pounds

College: USC

DeRozan was the runner-up to Nate Robinson in the 2010 Slam Dunk Contest, narrowly losing the fan vote 51 percent to 49 percent. DeRozan replaced Brandon Jennings in the Slam Dunk Contest the following year and placed third. DeRozan isn’t quite the complete player as the guys ahead of him on this list, but he’s an electric athlete and punishing dunker.

5. Josh Smith (Atlanta Hawks)

6’9” 225 Pounds

HS: Oak Hill Academy

Smith is a freakish athlete, known for both his shot-blocking ability and his incredible talent as a high-flying dunker. On top of standing 6’9,” Smith possesses a 39” vertical and has a rangy 7’0” wingspan, which allows him to challenge taller players on both ends of the floor.

4. Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls)

6’3” 190 Pounds

College: Memphis

Rose—the 2011 NBA MVP—is perhaps the most dynamic point guard in the league, and his array of offensive skills sometimes overshadows his elite dunking ability. As a dunker, Rose is absolutely fearless and willing to challenge anyone at the rim, whether it’s a similarly sized guard or a 7’0” center.

3. Andre Iguodala (Philadelphia 76ers)

6’6” 207 Pounds

College: Arizona

Iguodala was the runner-up to Nate Robinson in the 2006 Slam Dunk Contest, although many thought Iguodala deserved to be the winner. He’s one of the better defenders in the NBA, using his impressive build to match up with a wide variety of offensive players, but he’s also an electric dunker with the ball in his hands.

2. Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)

6’11” 265 Pounds

HS: Southwest Atlanta Christian Academy

Howard is widely regarded as the best center in the NBA, and although his indecisiveness has been a headache for NBA fans and teams alike, everyone can appreciate his freakish build and athleticism. Howard won the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest in perhaps the best performance in the past decade.

1. LeBron James (Miami Heat)

6’8” 250 Pounds

College: St. Vincent - St. Mary

The best player in the world may also be the best dunker in the world. Alongside Blake Griffin, no other NBA player has put together as many highlight real dunks than LeBron. He’s dunked over so many people that often times, players simply clear the lane and get out of his way when James takes the ball to the basket.