Best Dunk Contests Ever

Few spectacles in sports are as mesmerizing as a basketball slam dunk contest. Whether it's an NBA contest, a McDonald's All-American exhibition or a showdown between streetball legends, nothing brings out the best in dunkers like heated competition.

Since the birth of the dunk contest in 1976, there have been countless events in the ABA, NBA, college and high school ranks. They were all entertaining, but a few reached legendary status due to the caliber of jams and intense duels.

Which contests made our top 10 of all time?

10. 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Fans watching the 1991 NBA Dunk Contest were treated to a little bit of everything.

Kenny Smith provided acrobatic self-lobs. Shawn Kemp supplied agility and power. Rex Chapman utilized his range and wingspan.

And Dee Brown of the Boston Celtics flat-out bounced out of the gym.

Using some terrific alley-oops and floating double-clutch slams, Brown catapulted his way to the final round. Then he covered his eyes in midair for a memorable no-look finish that earned him the trophy.

9. 2013 Piter Street Games European Dunk Contest

A European streetball dunk contest cracked our list, proving how far international basketball has come in recent years. The 2013 Piter Street Games in St. Petersburg, Russia, put on a dazzling display of Europe's best dunkers.

Kristaps Valters from Latvia showed off his behind-the-back hang time, and Shal from Russia cleared some tall obstacles en route to the rim.

Meanwhile, Dmitry "Smoove" Krivenko from Ukraine won the whole thing with a series of ridiculous alley-oops.

Don't believe the hype? Enjoy this gravity-defying montage.

8. 2011 College Slam Dunk Contest

There have been some outstanding collegiate dunk contests over the past few years, but the one with the best collection of slams and "wow" factor was the 2011 contest.

Gilbert Brown of Pittsburgh crushed a between-the-legs two-handed reverse, Will Coleman of Memphis nearly kissed the rim and Darnell Wilks of Cincinnati flushed some amazing windmills.

But they were all upstaged by Jacob Tucker, a 5'11" guard from Division III Illinois College.

Watch it for yourself as the small-school leaper puts everyone to shame, making the most of his 50-inch vertical.

7. 2013 McDonald's All-American Dunk Contest

The McDonald's All-American weekend has enjoyed some spectacular dunkers in the past, ballers who have gone on to demolish NBA rims.

But we've never seen a trio like the group in 2013, and we've never seen high schoolers look so ready to duel with the pros.

Andrew Wiggins (incoming Kansas freshman), Aaron Gordon (Arizona) and Chris Walker (Florida) turned heads all night with moves usually reserved for NBA players. Their assortment of throwdowns showcased an awesome blend of power and finesse. Although Walker won, we won't soon forget the exploits of Wiggins and Gordon.

6. 1985 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

This lineup is unreal.

The 1985 NBA Dunk Contest in Indianapolis was littered with rim-rocking megastars, including Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Clyde Drexler and Larry Nance.

Each contestant delivered sensational dunks, with Jordan and Wilkins ultimately dueling for the title.

In a preview of their 1988 showdown, the two high-flyers traded mind-boggling slams.

While MJ impressed us with his free-throw-line finish and cradle crams, Wilkins' off-glass reverse and two-handed windmill won the event.

Stay tuned for more of Jordan vs. Wilkins.

5. 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

In an era filled with stunts and gimmicks, the 2008 NBA Dunk Contest in New Orleans had the perfect mix of traditional acrobatics and 21st-century props.

The two standouts in this one were Minnesota Timberwolves forward Gerald Green and Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard.

Green (the 2007 champion) put on a tremendous display, including blowing out a cupcake candle at the top of the rim while dunking.

But the night belonged to Howard, whose lefty windmill from behind the backboard and Superman theatrics (pictured above) brought the house down.

4. 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

In 1986, it was all about the underdog.

A 5'7" leaper named Spud Webb squared off against his Atlanta Hawks teammate, Dominique Wilkins, who was a foot taller.

Folks knew Webb could leap and dunk, but it wasn't until this contest that the world realized he could slam with flair and beat the best in the business.

Wilkins aimed to defend his crown with a series of thunderous 360s and reverse double-clutch jams. But Webb's hang time and alley-oop inventiveness were the perfect answer, and he hoisted the hardware.

3. 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest

Before the NBA had Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins, the ABA had David Thompson vs. Julius Erving.

The first-ever dunk contest was held at halftime of the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, and it showcased some of the league's best stars, including George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, Thompson and "Dr. J."

Nuggets rookie Thompson and Nets star Erving delighted the Denver crowd with jams that would cement their legacies as patriarchs of the slam dunk movement. Their ability to contort their bodies in midair and finish with a flourish was groundbreaking for the game of basketball.

Dr. J's free-throw-line dunk is still an iconic moment in hoops history. 

2. 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Vince Carter stole the show at the 2000 NBA Dunk Contest—and then some.

His cousin, Toronto Raptors teammate Tracy McGrady, hammered some phenomenal dunks of his own, but Carter was head and shoulders above all competitors.

Air Canada effectively propelled the Slam Dunk Contest into a new era of aerial ingenuity. He stunned fans with an ultra-smooth 360 windmill, a between-the-legs off the bounce and a "honey dip" dunk cramming his arm in the hoop.

With an electrifying level of creativity, agility and explosiveness, Carter's all-around performance is arguably the best of all time.

1. 1988 Slam Dunk Contest

The 1988 NBA Dunk Contest in Chicago featured a slew of classic jams by two of the game's absolute best dunkers, but it also provided a signature moment in basketball history.

Despite the stars involved in the event, Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan reigned supreme.

Wilkins delivered some of the most impressive windmills of his generation, and he also dropped flawless one-handed and two-handed 360s. Jordan countered with an assortment of swooping double-clutch slams that seemed to defy gravity.

To take home the trophy, His Airness pulled off the most stylish, majestic free-throw-line dunk that fans had ever seen.