NBA: The Greatest Dunker in the History of Each Team

In the game of basketball, the most electrifying play is the dunk. It could be called a slam, jam, stuff, facial, and the poster.

Some players are better at it than others. It takes athleticism, strength, and creativity to deliver a dunk that's memorable for fans.

This list will focus on telling you who, in the history of their franchise, is the best dunker. There is a long list of people that have injected boundless energy into the crowd, players, and everyone watching.

Atlanta Hawks: Dominique Wilkins

Dubbed the "Human Highlight Reel", Dominique dazzled fans with his ability for in-air creativity. He is probably the greatest dunk contest performer of all-time.

He appeared in the dunk contest five times (1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1990) and won two of them.

Famous for his show dunks, Wilkins was never afraid to pull one out (even when the game was on the line).

He will not only go down as the greatest dunker in his team's history, but possibly as the greatest dunker in the history of the NBA.

Boston Celtics: Dee Brown

The Boston Celtics are probably the most historic and traditional franchise in the NBA, so talented, electrifying dunkers are few and far between.

Dee Brown is one of the two exceptions (Gerald Green is the other one, but Dee Brown edged him out on this slide).

He put on a show in the 1991 Dunk Contest by performing the famous "Blind Fold" dunk that made him famous, and at 6'1", became one of the shortest contestants to win the competition.

Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Wallace

In their short history, the Charlotte Bobcats have had very few bright spots or stars.

Gerald Wallace was probably the greatest player to wear the Bobcats uniform.

He wasn't bad at dunking either.

He made the contest in 2002 and left the competition in second place. He made the all-star game in 2010, and has earned the nickname "Crash" because of his relentless hustle and knack for throwing his body around (he's endured a few concussions).

He repeatedly leaped over defenders to put the ball in the cup.

Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan is not only the greatest player ever, but he's also one of the greatest dunkers ever.

He was selected for three times (1985, 1987, 1988) and was victorious in two of those (1987, 1988), including winning the classic dunk contest duel with fellow dunk-specialist Dominique Wilkins.

He has dunked on some of the league's most dominant big men, including Patrick Ewing and Dikembe Mutombo.

He may be the most exciting player to ever play the game.

Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James

This was a close one, between LeBron James and Larry Nance, but I eventually chose LeBron James.

LeBron James might be the greatest talent to ever play NBA basketball.

In his time with the Cavs, LeBron finished countless fast-breaks with thunderous jams.

He has been begged multiple times to join the dunk contest but has decided to back out.

Hopefully he competes in one soon in the future.

Dallas Mavericks: Rolando Blackman

Rolando Blackman a top three player in the Mavericks history. He was an Elgin Baylor-type player in terms of his slashing and leaping ability.

He was a smooth player that was notorious for his one or two-handed stuffs.

He could dunk around bigger opponents and at 6'6", wasn't too short himself.

Denver Nuggets: David Thompson

David Thompson was one of the most electrifying players in the ABA (American Basketball Association) and took part in the first slam-dunk contest in 1976. In that contest, he made it to the final round but eventually lost to Julius Erving.

In the NBA, Thompson was a four-time all-star and was still among the league's best soarers.

He earned the nickname "Skywalker" for being an elite dunker. The name has stuck, resulting in a book and even a movie about Thompson's life.

He has gone down as the greatest leaper in Nuggets and NBA history.

Detroit Pistons: Jerry Stackhouse

There haven't been very many notorious dunkers in Pistons history. Jerry Stackhouse is the sole Piston to ever be a contestant in the contest.

But Stackhouse deserved the nod.

Stackhouse was a successful slasher and could get to the cup with ease in his prime. He leaped with power and finesse and often delivered facials at the rim.

Golden State Warriors: Jason Richardson

Jason Richardson is one of the slam-dunk contest's greatest contributors ever. He won the contest twice (2002, 2003) in his three tries.

He can do it all.

He has been seen completing 360's, windmills, and multiple copies of former superstars' dunks while in-game.

He is a surprisingly powerful dunker for his position and uses his strength to his advantage.

Houston Rockets: Tracy McGrady

McGrady was once a superstar in the league. With the Rockets, Tracy was as electrifying as they come.

He has always been a notorious dunker and had the ability to soar over defenders and finish with a combination of strength and finesse that few players possess.

He went down the court determined to end the break with a thunderous jam.

Indiana Pacers: Fred Jones

Unfortunately for Jones, his career will forever be remembered for his performance in the 2004 dunk contest.

He never quite got to the level one needs to make it in the NBA.

Fortunately for this list, though, dunking is all that matters. Fred Jones had freakish jumping abilities and was able to perform while in the air (putting many variants into every dunk).

He was fast, athletic, and had amazing hops. That's all you need to become a great dunk specialist.

Los Angeles Clippers: Blake Griffin

Blake Griffin was the league's most relentless dunker last season. He had 214 of them.

He delivered one of the most memorable slam-dunk contest moments ever. A brand new car rolled in, and knowing what was going down, fans' eyes widened. A large group of singers came out to add to the drama. The car drove under the hoop and Baron Davis' head popped out the sun roof. As Blake ran towards the hoop, Davis popped up the rock and Griffin threw down.

That dunk won him the contest and a spot in this slideshow.

Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant

Kobe Bryant stands as the only Laker to ever win the dunk contest.

He brought a windmill and a between-the-legs dunk to the event to bring home the trophy in 1997. He was known as a prolific dunker until recent years, but he can still throw down.

In fact, he had two momentous dunks that arguably gave the Lakers the energy to get past the Hornets last season.

Kobe will go down as the Lakers' greatest player, and the Lakers' greatest dunker also.

Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay

In the Grizzlies history, no player has dazzled fans as much as Rudy Gay.

He is known as a high-flyer and a skilled slasher. He can leap over defenders and finish around big men.

He took part in the 2008 slam-dunk contest but unfortunately finished third.

If Gay gets an injury-free next year, we can expect more dazzling plays out of him.

Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade

Dwyane Wade has been the leader of the Heat since he stepped foot on the NBA hardwood.

He has been nicknamed the "Flash" because of his knack for quickly blowing by defenders.

He often finishes drives with thunderous jams over taller defenders and it is those types of plays that he's made a name for himself with.

He will continue to be the leader of the Heat, even with LeBron James on the same team.

Milwaukee Bucks: Desmond Mason

Desmond Mason, throughout his NBA career, built a reputation as a strong and electrifying dunk specialist.

He made three dunk contest appearances (2001, 2002, 2003) and won it in 2001.

When dunking is what your career is built on, you're a sure-fire to make this list.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett

Kevin Garnett is the first big man on this list, but wit the Timberwolves, Garnett was a slam-dunk machine.

He combined strength, and in those days, great athleticism to stuff countless defenders.

So, he may be one of the few big men on the list, but the occasion is well-deserved.

New Jersey Nets: Julius Erving

Julius Erving played for the New York Nets during his time in the ABA (American Basketball Association).

He was chosen to be a participant in the very first professional-level slam dunk contest in 1976.

He became the first winner of the dunk contest that year.

He made himself famous for his one-handed jams and the way he sailed through the air.

New Orleans Hornets: Baron Davis

Baron Davis is one of the top 5 dunking point guards in the history of the NBA.

He did a large amount of his damage in Charlotte/New Orleans.

As a contestant of the 2001 dunk contest, Baron finished third behind DeShawn Stevenson and Desmond Mason.

At his stature, Davis is shockingly known for his power jams and has stuffed more than a few opponents in his day.

New York Knicks: Nate Robinson

Nate Robinson is the shortest player on this list. But he's also the only player ever to win three dunk contest titles.

That's right. He won three dunk contest trophies, in 2006, 2009, and 2010. It took him just four tries to do so (his other attempt was in 2007).

He has also completed in-game dunks that give fans a reason to remember attending those games.

He is a whole lot of energy in a small package and he uses it to shock fans.

Oklahoma City Thunder/Seattle Sonics: Shawn Kemp

Shawn Kemp has given us some of the most freakish stuffs the league has ever seen. He has dunked over players countless times.

He was put in the dunk contest four times because of these dunks (1990, 1991, 1992, 1994). Unfortunately, his power-dunking style did not impress the judges as much as it did the fans, so he lost in all four of his appearances.

He embarrassed and posterized players for years.

Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is the tallest contestant ever to win a dunk contest.

He used props and a famous "Superman" bit to bring home the trophy.

He is one of the best in-game dunkers of all-time with 2.5 a game.

Philidelphia 76ers: Julius Erving

Julius, as mentioned on the New Jersey Nets slide, was famous for his ability to sail in the air with ease.

With the Sixers, Erving took part in the dunk contest twice but lost both of them.

He still leaves his mark on the league as one of the NBA's greatest dunkers of all-time.

In fact, he has been the judge of the contest multiple times.

Phoenix Suns: Amare Stoudemire

I will never forget Amare's performance in the 2005 slam-dunk contest. He brought in Steve Nash and they put on a show.

Probably the best dunk was a circus pass turned between-the-legs dunk.

Steve kicked the ball off his foot and onto his head. The head-butted ball launched into the air and Amare soared in, swung it beneath his head, and finished it with a thunderous jam.

In his time with the Suns, Amare stuffed countless defenders and that is why he's on this list.

Portland Trailblazers: Clyde Drexler

"Clyde the Glide" was considered the league's best dunker, standing beside Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan.

He was almost a regular at the dunk contest. He competed in 1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, and 1989. He never won, but he was selected for the very first NBA (not including the ABA) dunk contest.

He was smooth and powerful while in the air and slammed similar to Julius Erving.

Sacramento Kings: Kenny Smith

As you can see, Kenny Smith was not very tall for an NBA basketball player.

But he did get into the dunk contest. Twice.

He never won, but he delivered quite a show that included alley-oops similar to those of Spud Webb (even a 360 at one point).

San Antonio Spurs: George Gervin

"The Iceman" was one of the ABA's greatest players.

He combined his height with some of the smoothest moves the league has ever seen.

He soared in the air and made himself famous for his one-handed dunks.

Toronto Raptors: Vince Carter

Vince Carter put on a show in the 2000 dunk contest.

He scored a ridiculous 198 out 200 to take home the title.

He brought out Tracy McGrady as his assist-man and pulled out an alley-oop between-the-legs and a 360 windmill.

He will go down as one of the league's greatest dunk artists.

Utah Jazz: Karl Malone

Malone is one of the greatest power dunkers in all of NBA history.

He even had a signature move. How many people can say that? It's even been impersonated by none other than LeBron James.

Karl Malone not only left a player legacy, but also a dunk legacy.

Washington Wizards: JaVale McGee

It's a pretty bold choice at such a young age, but with his dunk contest appearance last year, he became the only Washington player to ever compete in the dunk contest

He is tall, long, and athletic. With that and his hops, he can hang in the air and reach over defenders to get the slam.