Come Fly With Me – The 10 Best NBA Slam Dunk Contests

Why the dunk contest still matters

The Slam Dunk Contest has given basketball fans some of the most jaw-dropping, replay-worthy moments in the sport. It’s been around in various forms for decades, producing iconic images and unforgettable duels. Lately the event has had its ups and downs — sometimes lacking star power, sometimes feeling stale — but when the right competitors show up, it still has the power to steal the weekend.

Honorable mentions

Julius Erving: His free-throw-line takeoff from the ABA days became the blueprint for how spectacular a dunk can look, and that image helped define an era.

Dee Brown: A perfect example of creativity winning over raw power. His No-Look dunk and pump-up style made his win feel fresh and clever.

Kenny “Sky” Walker: A last-minute entry who poured everything into his routine, Walker surprised everyone with 360s and flair that became the highlight of his career.

Mac McClung (recent years): A modern crowd-pleaser who brought repeated highlight-level dunks to the show and reminded fans there’s still room for theatrics and pure athleticism.

The 10 best slam dunk contests

1) Michael Jordan vs Dominique Wilkins — The classic duel: This head-to-head is what dunk contests are all about. Both guys matched power and style shot-for-shot, trading free-throw-line leaps and thunderous windmills. The showdown was electric, controversial judging aside, and it left a legacy that still gets replayed.

2) Vince Carter — The night that changed everything: When Carter turned the contest into a cultural moment, people realized dunking could be art. Between the reverse 360 windmill, the between-the-legs bounce, and the elbow dunk, he rewrote the playbook and the arena reaction said it all.

3) Zach LaVine vs Aaron Gordon — A modern epic: Two athletes at the peak of their powers went blow-for-blow for the crowd. Gordon’s mascot leap and between-the-legs off the air pushed the limits, while LaVine’s vaulting combinations and flawless execution made it an instant classic — one of the greatest competitive nights in contest history.

4) Jason Richardson vs Desmond Mason — Pure creativity under pressure: This matchup featured incredible variety, with both players pulling off risky, technical maneuvers. Richardson’s final between-the-legs-to-behind-the-head dunk under intense pressure is one of those moments you watch again and again.

5) Nate Robinson vs Andre Iguodala — Heart vs efficiency: Robinson’s sheer will and jaw-dropping verticals against Iguodala’s cleaner, more efficient attempts made for a memorable clash. Robinson bringing out a former champion and literally flying over him to seal the win is the kind of storybook finish the contest lives for.

6) Spud Webb vs Dominique Wilkins — The unexpected upset: Webb’s victory remains one of the contest’s most thrilling underdog moments. At barely over five feet, his hang time and timing on lob dunks stunned the arena and proved size isn’t everything.

7) Blake Griffin — Big-man spectacle: Griffin turned the contest into a mainstream event again with power, showmanship, and crowd-pleasing theatrics — including the now-famous car leap. It was spectacle built for highlights and mass appeal.

8) Dwight Howard — Dominant and theatrical: Howard’s combination of size, athleticism, and showmanship (yes, the cape) produced a dominant performance. His dunks were powerful and creative, and he cruised through the field with several highlight moments.

9) Amar’e Stoudemire & Josh Smith showcase — Tandems and tributes: This contest had a little bit of everything: high-flying tandems, creative set pieces (hello, soccer-style assist), and tributes to past greats. It was one of those nights where the inventiveness of the dunks stole the show.

10) The rebound years — A series of contests that kept the spark alive: From inventive underdog wins to rising stars delivering unforgettable sequences, several contests across the 2000s and 2010s reminded fans why the event endures. Even when the field wasn’t perfect, standout individual performances kept the tradition alive.

Final thought: The Slam Dunk Contest has had its peaks and valleys, but at its best it produces pure athletic poetry and moments you can’t take your eyes off. Whether it’s a jaw-dropping solo dunk or a two-man setup that leaves the crowd speechless, those nights are why fans keep hoping the contest will recapture its magic every year.