Desmond Mason
Height: 6'5"
Year: 2003
Round 1, Dunk 2
Score: 44
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There's nothing about the description of this dunk that merits it's spot on this list. There's no gimmick - it's not a 360º, or a windmill or even an alley oop - he just jumps as high as he can and dunks it. On paper alone, it shouldn't be leading off the Top 50, and yet, when you watch it, it all makes sense.
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There's nothing about the description of this dunk that merits it's spot on this list. There's no gimmick - it's not a 360º, or a windmill or even an alley oop - he just jumps as high as he can and dunks it. On paper alone, it shouldn't be leading off the Top 50, and yet, when you watch it, it all makes sense.
#49 Dominique Wilkins
Height: 6'8"
Year: 1988
Round 2, Dunk 1
Score: 49
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No one can windmill like 'Nique. Wilkins was in the Dunk Contest five different times (tied with Clyde Drexler for the most ever) and in each of those contests he brought out the dunk that he is probably most famous for: the aforementioned windmill. This example, from his epic battle with Jordan in '88 is, in my opinion, the best of them all.
Height: 6'1"
Year: 1991
Round 3, Dunk 3
Score: 49.6
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This is the one that won Dee Brown the contest in '91. The infamous 'peek-a-boo' dunk. Although a lot of people rank it higher than this, and while his dunks were all very impressive for a guy barely 6'1", I still think this ranking is just about right.
Orlando Woolridge
Height: 6'9"
Year: 1984
Round 1, Dunk 3
Score: 48
.While not the smoothest, or cleanest, this is still the earliest example I've ever seen of a through-the-legs dunk - nearly 10 full years before J.R. Rider is credited with having invented it in 1994. Plus he puts it behind his back before going up with it. Truly a lost gem that time has seemingly forgotten.
Anthony "Spud" Webb
Height: 5'7"
Year: 1986
Round 3, Dunk 1
Score: 50
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The ultimate underdog, and the quintessential little man dunker, Spud blew everyone away in '86. And, while most of his dunks were made all-the-more impressive because of his small size, this 360º was especially so.
Scottie Pippen
Height: 6'8"
Year: 1990
Round 1, Dunk 1
Score: 47.2
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Scottie does little to break away from Jordan's shadow in this, his one and only dunk contest appearance, essentially doing the dunk that Mike won it with in '88. But, even if he didn't do it as well as MJ, it's still pretty damn good. Also, from what I could see, this is the closest anyone has been to having their toe behind the foul line in a dunk contest - most guys are half a foot over.
Jason Richardson
Height: 6'6"
Year: 2002
Round 2, Dunk 2
Score: 49
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J. Rich won it with this one in 2002. And, while he would only get better in the next couple of years, this one is made all the sweeter by appearing as though he changed his mind at the last second and decided to make up the dunk while he was in the air.
Dwight Howard
Height: 6'11"
Year: 2009
Round 2, Dunk 1
Score: n/a (fan voting)
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While big men have not historically done well in the dunk contest, Dwight has been the exception to the rule. There's an angle on the reply of this dunk that shows just how far back he had to reach to get this one, which is especially impressive, since he threw the lob off the side of the backboard.
Jerome Kersey
Height: 6'7"
Year: 1987
Round 2, Dunk 2
Score: 48
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Kersey came out of no where to surprise everyone as the runner up in '87. And while he would enter the contest an additional three times, he never could quite recreate the dunks he was able to do that one impressive year. This one is a prime example of his nice blend of style and power.
Kenny Smith
Height: 6'3"
Year: 1990
Round 1, Dunk 2
Score: 49.6
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Kenny Smith had some nice creative dunks right around the time that the contest was starting to get repetitive and boring. Creativity is always a welcome addition to a dunk contest, and combined with his smaller size and higher degree of difficulty, it's no wonder he was able to surprise everyone by finishing as runner-up to Dominique in this, his first appearance.
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