New York Knicks: Who Is the Best Dunker in Team History?

"

I like slam dunks take me to the hoop

My favorite play is the alley-oop

-Kurtis Blow, 'Basketball', 1984

 

"

Hands down, the slam dunk is one of the most electrifying plays in sports. Nothing can change momentum like a rim-shattering, confidence-deflating, in-your-face jam. Arenas go from mausoleums to Times Square on New Year's Eve in the blink of an eye.

As the game of basketball has evolved, so has the dunk. No longer satisfied with simply flying through the air, players today are twisting, turning and contorting their bodies in ways never imagined before.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has gotten to the point that you literally need to jump over a parked car to win.

Can you imagine someone walking up to Dr. J and saying 'Hey Julius, remember all those dunks you threw down?

Um, yeah, it's not really impressive anymore unless you jump through a ring of fire, over a swimming pool filled with sharks (laser beams on their heads optional), and land before falling off the 50 foot cliff we've put the basket right in front of.'

OK, maybe that's taking it too far, but you get my drift. There's nothing wrong with a good, old fashioned, dunk.

Back in 2009, the team put up a poll on their website—who is the best dunker in Knicks history?

Just over 1000 people voted, with the man you see in the photo running away with it. Not surprising since he'd just won the dunk contest at the 2009 NBA All-Star Game.

Would he win again? Only one way to find out.

Vote in comments, let's see if Nate can win another dunk crown or if someone else steals the show.

Nate Robinson

Three-time NBA Slam Dunk Champion. Claims to be 5'9", but we know he's probably closer to 5'7".

An incredible athlete, Nate's time with the Knicks was known for his energy and instant offense off the bench, as well as his freakish ability to get above the rim.

Currently a member of the Oklahoma City Thunder, he hasn't seen any action in the playoffs, buried on the bench at a deep position for the Thunder.

Kenny "Sky" Walker

One of the great players to come out of the University of Kentucky, where he was a two-time All American and All-SEC each of his four years as a Wildcat, Walker was drafted by the Knicks with the fifth pick in the first round of the 1986 NBA Draft.

Generally viewed as a disappointment as a NBA player, he was an electric dunker, taking home the Slam Dunk championship in 1989's All-Star game.

Useless fact: Kenny Walker once challenged a racehorse to a foot race and won.

Patrick Ewing

The man needs no introduction. Arguably the greatest player in Knicks history. One of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. Member of the NBA Hall of Fame.

I was torn between using video of this dunk or his steal of the inbound pass/run the floor/dunk on Dennis Rodman, but it didn't get much better then Ewing vs. Mourning.

Currently an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic, Ewing belongs back home on the sideline at Madison Square Garden.

John Starks

A frenetic defender, a fearless competitor, and a streaky shooter, John Starks seemingly came out of nowhere.

On the last day of practice in 1990 as he was trying out for the team, he injured his knee trying to dunk on Patrick Ewing. NBA rules prohibited the team from releasing him, and he became a rotation player upon his return.

Starks had many highlight plays during his Knicks career, but cemented his place in the hearts of Knicks fans (and pretty much anyone who wasn't a Chicago Bulls fan) with this posterization of Horace Grant and some guy named Jordan.

Currently, Starks holds the position of Alumni Relations & Fan Development Advisor with the club, and can often times be seen on the MSG network before and after games.

Amar'e Stoudemire

Stat may have just finished his first year with the Knicks, but with what he's done thus far and what is expected, his highlight reel of dunks wearing the orange and blue will only grow.

The Knicks may have lost the game the above jam is from, but it's over LeBron James, so it's worth posting.

Currently, Amar'e is poised to lead the Knicks back to the promised land in the next few seasons.

Gerald Wilkins

Always in the shadow of his older brother Dominique, Gerald Wilkins was a solid player in the NBA, spending his best years with the Knicks.

While not as flashy as 'Nique, Gerald put together his fair share of highlight reel dunks over his 6 year stint in New York.

Surprisingly, I was only able to find this shaky footage of his dunk over Stacey King.

Currently, I have no idea what Gerald is doing, but I hope he's enjoying himself.

Larry Johnson

I include Grandmama only because he was included on the original poll.

By the time he got to the Knicks, his back was a mess and his explosive leaping ability was long gone.

Of course, LJ provided his fair share of highlights for the garden faithful, none more memorable then this shot against the Indiana Pacers.

Four years ago, it was reported that Johnson had an interest in rejoining the Knicks in some sort of Front Office capacity, but nothing seems to have happened with that.

So Who Is It Going to Be?

Chris Trotman/Getty Images

NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 16: Film director Spike attends the game between the New York Knicks and the Atlanta Hawks at Madison Square Garden on February 16, 2011 in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading a

Do you think any of these players deserve the title of "Greatest Dunker in Knicks History"?

Do you have a candidate that wasn't mentioned?

Who can make this man get out of his seat and send his funny hat flying?

Voice your opinion in comments. I'll tally up the totals & update this slide as the votes come in.

Latrell Sprewell - 1 vote