A dunk counts for only two points, but the best dunks in the world can always find a way to make it look like it's not just getting two points.
From the iconic dunks in real combat to the unforgettable moments of the dunk contest that "the opportunity must not be lost, the loss will not come again", the past and the present generations of players, with their ability to finish near the basket, have left us with indelible memories in the game.
But which players can be the best dunks in their team's history? We got NBA experts to vote for the most iconic dunk in each team's history. Here we go.
Note: Criteria for selection include a player's actual dunk, dunk contest performance, creativity of the action, and iconic moments.
Atlanta Hawks: Dominique Wilkins, 95.8%
In the 1988 Dunk Contest Finals, Wilkins lost to Michael Jordan (controversial?). Is it reasonable? Eagles fans have doubts) two-handed big windmill may be the most eye-catching dunk, but his strongest weapon is still in real combat. Few people can stage all kinds of explosions between marches like Wilkins, and his signature folding buckle after jumping from the crowd with his feet is a miracle of body control. What does the real scene look like? When he's done sprinting, let's take a gorgeous reflexive folding dunk.
Other players who received the vote: Sbert Webb received 4.2% of the vote.
Boston Celtics: Dee Brown, 70.8%
Brown beat another legendary dunkman, Sean Kemp, in the 1991 dunk contest. And the reason why it can become his iconic moment is mainly two reasons: one is that he wears Reebok "pumping up" shoes, and the other is that he uses a blindfold dunk in the winning dunk. Although Brown had a long but not-so-brilliant NBA career, playing for the Celtics, Raptors and Magic, his performance as a rookie in the 1991 dunk contest ensured that he would have a legend in NBA history.
Other players who received the vote: Gerald Green received 29.2% of the vote
Brooklyn Nets: Julius Irving, 79.2%
Vince Carter dunked more incredible dunks, but no Nets player could have dunked more powerful dunks than KenJan Martin, and Richard Jefferson and Jason Kidd made many aerial connections. But while Irving only played three seasons for the Nets during his ABA years, he remains the hallmark of the team. Dr. J's style, talent and creativity were groundbreaking, influencing and inspiring a generation of creative hookers.
Other players who received the vote: Vince Carter 12.5% of the vote, Richard 0 Jefferson 4.2% of the vote, Ken Young Martin 4.2% of the vote
Charlotte Hornets/Bobcats: Larry Johnson, 70.8%
Early in his career, Johnson was also the kind of character who could deliver countless violent dunks. Before a back injury affected bouncing, Johnson early in his Career was a walking highlight-maker. As a 6-foot-6-inch player weighing 250 pounds, the images of Johnson rushing into the box are terrifying — even scarier than he looked when he shot the commercial in his grandmother's clothes, and Johnson once appeared in a sneaker commercial as a grandmother.
Other players who received the vote: Brandon Davis 16.7% of the vote, Jason Richardson 12.5% of the vote
Chicago Bulls: Michael Jordan, 100%
He was one of three players to receive all the votes, and the reasons were obvious. Whether in real combat or in a dunk contest, Jordan is always present in this kind of discussion. Jordan's most impressive dunk of his career was at the 1988 Dunk Contest, where he took off from the free throw line to complete the dunk and score the perfect score in the raucous Chicago Arena. Equally commendable, he also cut inside lines like Dickenberg Mutombo and Patrick Ewing. The style, elegance and power he displayed in the air made him the gold standard for dunks.
Other players who received the vote: None
Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James, 70.8%
Finding a Record in cavaliers history that doesn't belong to LeBron should be very difficult. He had two of the most impressive dunks of his Cavaliers career: the "human-defying" dunk against Kevin Garnett in the 2008 playoffs, and the dunk against Yusuf Nurkic against the Blazers in 2018. LeBron has never been in a dunk contest, which makes us wonder what he would do in the dunk contest, but his signature Tomahawk dunk and a bunch of background panels make up for it.
Other players who received the vote: Larry Nance 20.8% of the vote, Ricky Davis 8.3% of the vote
Dallas Maverick: Michael Finley, 75%
In 1997, while representing the Lone Ranger in a dunk contest, Finley made one of the most laughable moves in the history of the tournament: After smashing the ball to the floor, he made a (very bad) sideways flip, missed the two-handed dunk, and messed up the game. As the runner-up of the dunk contest the previous season (when he was still the Suns' rookie), Finley had a stunning dunk that leapt over an interior player — he jumped from the crowd on both feet and delivered a standard one-handed tomahawk.
Other players who received the vote: Josh Howard 12.5% of the vote, Dennis Smith Jr. 12.5% of the vote
Denver Nuggets, David Thompson, 70.8%
One of Thompson's great achievements was the spread of dunks in college. In those days, the NCAA didn't allow dunks. But his biggest achievement in dunking was that inspired Michael Jordan. Growing up in Wilmington, Jordan always idolized the former North Carolina State star. When playing for the Nuggets, the guard, who was good at working at height, was a player who liked to perform. In his seven seasons with the Nuggets, Thompson's physical qualities were on display, with he constantly completed dunks in front of tall defenders and staged various air connections.
Other players who received the vote: JR Smith 16.7%, Antonio McDys 8.3%, Robert Pike 4.2%
Detroit Pistons: Grant Hill, 47.8%
In the 1990s, the two brightest stars in the Detroit Pistons were Barry Sanders and Hill. While Sanders used the diversion on the court to overtake opponents, Hill was also breaking through elite defenders like Scotty Pippen and then sending a two-handed dunk. Hill's most brutal dunk was in the away game against the Heat, where he first passed Dan Malley and then completed the dunk on Alonzo Morning's head. Hill's performance in the Pistons didn't allow his jersey to hang high above the arena, but his position as the best dunk in team history was unshakable by anyone else.
Other players who received the vote: Darwin Ham received 34.8% of the vote and Jerry Starkhouse received 17.4% of the vote.
Golden State Warriors: Jason Richardson, 79.2%
During the "We Believe" era, Byron Davis' dunk against Andre Kirilenko was the best dunk in the team's history. But Richardson is the best dunk in the history of this team. As a Warriors player, he has won two dunk contest titles and is the only player in the team's history to have won a dunk contest. In his six seasons with the Warriors, he's one of the few reasons fans feel the tickets are worth the money.
Other players who received the vote: Byron Davis received 12.5% of the vote, Latrile Sprewell received 4.2% of the vote, and Chris Weber received 4.2% of the vote.
Houston Rockets: Steve Francis, 48%
You may not remember the performances of the other players in the legendary dunk contest of Vince Carter, but Francis also contributed a stunning performance that night. With over 40 inches of vertical bounce and rich aerial movements, he surpassed Tracy McGrady in dunks to become the best dunk in Rockets history. The three-time All-Star has a super ability to tackle the basket, but many of his actual high-light dunks come from air connections, which is rare for a 6'3".
Other players who received the vote: Tracy McGrady received 40% of the vote and Clyde Drexler received 12% of the vote.
Indiana Pacers: Paul George, 45.8%
George's performance in the dunk contest was grossly underrated — don't forget that he made a loop crotch dunk in 2014 — but the dunk that really cemented his position as the best dunk in The Pacers' history was clearly the one that dunked the Birdman. In the second game of the 2013 Eastern Conference Finals, with only 10 seconds left in the third quarter, the difference between the two teams was only 2 points, george dribbled the ball away from LeBron, and "destroyed" Chris Anderson with a lock. Well, he sent Anderson straight away.
Other players who received the vote: Victor Oladipo received 37.5% of the vote, Fred Jones 12.5% of the vote, Glenn Robinson III 4.2% of the vote
Los Angeles Clippers, Blake Griffin, 88%
Say sorry to DeAndre Jordan first, but without Griffin, the City of Empty Connections would no longer exist. During his seven and a half seasons with the Clippers, Griffin destroyed the basket and defenders with his strength and athleticism. He was a regular in highlight moments, leaving behind a string of backdrops and an incredible air-to-air finish. It's not just the opponent's interior players who feel threatened, but also the car, as evidenced by the dunk he won at the 2011 dunk contest.
Other players who received the vote: Brent Barry had 4% of the vote, DeAndre Jordan had 4% of the vote, Darius Miles had 4% of the vote.
Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant, 68%
In the 1997 preseason, Bryant jumped from within the free throw line to complete the barrier over the head of a later world-class defender (Ben Wallace). From that moment on, his dunk saga began. Of course, he's also won a dunk contest — with a crotch-changing dunk inspired by Isaiah Leder — but his best dunk came at the most critical moment. Dunks against Steve Nash and Emeka Okafor in the playoffs; back-and-forth dunks against Sprewell in Mecca, dunks against Garnett in the target center; Dunks against Dwight Howard in the face; and a 180-degree dunk against the Nuggets after receiving a long pass from the field, he combined beautiful footwork, creativity and control to deliver a 180-degree dunk that changed hands behind the ball... These are probably his best dunks. He's the hallmark of dunks.
Other players who received the vote: Shaquille O'Neal 28% of the vote, Eddie Jones 4% of the vote
Memphis Grizzlies: Ja Morant, 50%
Morant's highlight moment may have been the missed dunk against 6'10" Kevin Luck, who also joked on Twitter, "Jia [Morant] almost ended my career with that dunk." Morant has already dunked on many of the inside lines, the most famous of which is probably the one against Aaron Baynes: in that evenly matched match, he dribbled a tomahawk dunk that made Baynes the backstage. In the second season of his career, Morant had a unique explosiveness and fearless mentality, and the slender Grizzlies point guard became the most watchable dunk in the league.
Other players who received the vote: Rudy Guy 25% of the vote, Stromay Swift 25% of the vote
Miami Heat: Harold Miner, 37.5%
Miner was chosen as the best dunk in Heat history because he won two dunk contests with his most dominant performance. Nicknamed "Mini Jordan," Meyner relied on incredible vertical bounces and terrifying power to beat defending champion Cedric Seballos in 1993 and defending champion Ethia Leder in 1995. His signature dunk reflexively folded dunk became a killer for players who have since participated in dunk contests. Miner only played four seasons in the NBA, but his dunks in real combat, including the dunks on Hakim Olajuwon's head, became valuable highlights.
Other players who received the vote: Dwayne Wade 29.2% of the vote, LeBron James 25% of the vote, Derek Jones Jr. 8.3% of the vote
Milwaukee Bucks: Giannis Antetokounmpo, 56%
Antetokounmpo excelled at hitting the basket, using the European step to bypass defenders, delivering a thunderous dunk, and his trademark roaring face. Rather than using dunks as an art, it is better to use it as a reminder of the bravery and dominance of the two-time MVP winner. Of course, the Bucks have had some great dunks in history, such as Desmond Mason and Ray Allen, but neither of them is Antetokounmpo. Each of Antetokounmpo's partitions is a reflection of the team's slogan "Fear the Deer."
Other players who received the vote: Desmond Mason 36% of the vote, Ray Allen 8% of the vote
Minnesota Timberwolves: Zach Lavin, 58.3 percent
LaVine continued to try to let people know that he was not just a dunkman, and in the seventh season of his career, the two-time dunk contest champion finally got the opportunity to participate in the All-Star Game. However, LaVine's performance in the dunk contest is truly the best in NBA history. His showdown with Aaron Gordon at the 2016 dunk contest was reminiscent of Jordan's 1988 showdown with Wilkins. When your name is comparable to the likes of Jordan, Carter, and Dr. J, your achievements must be extraordinary.
Other players who received the vote: Isaiah Leder 25% of the vote, Kevin Garnett 12.5% of the vote, Gerald Green 4.2% of the vote
New Orleans Hornets/Pelicans: Byron Davis, 40%
Although Cairn Williamson has a lot of powerful dunks, Davis is still the best dunk in team history. While some of his more impressive dunks weren't in the Hornets, at the 2001 dunk contest, Davis had a headband-blindfolded performance in tribute to Harold Miner (but ultimately failed to do so). It is worth mentioning that while playing for UCLA in 1998, he suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his knee. Go find those dunks he had when he played in Westwood, and you won't regret it.
Other players who received the vote: Cairn Williamson 28% of the vote, JR Smith 16% of the vote, Anthony Davis 16% of the vote
New York Knicks: Kenny Walker and Nate Robinson, 37.5%
Nicknamed sky, Walker has a powerful dunk, a unique hairstyle and a large gold chain, and he is Jordan's successor (1989) after winning two consecutive dunk titles. But for me, Robinson was the winner of the two, the first player in history to win a dunk title three times — and did it at a height of 5'9". While they all competed in the dunk contest, only Robinson leapt past his previous dunk champion, the 5'7"Webb and the 6'10th Howard, and completed the dunk. In addition, Robinson's various deductions staged at Madison Square Garden also made him frequently appear in SportsCenter's top ten balls.
Other players who received the vote: Patrick Ewing 16.7% of the vote, John Stax 8.3% of the vote
Oklahoma Thunder: Russell Westbrook, 95.5%
It's a forgotten history, but Westbrook did think about going to the dunk contest, but the fans didn't choose him in the end. He appeared on the voting list for the 2009 Dunk Contest, but was finally selected by Rudy Fernandez. Since then, one of the most athletic players in NBA history has given up on the dunk contest because it doesn't fit his thinking: "I'll only dunk when there's a player in front of me." In 2015, he said this. That's a fairer statement, because if you search for "Russell Westbrook dunks" on YouTube, you'll find that many people become background boards for his dunks. Westbrook's dunks are the same as his way of playing: uncompromising, ambitious, aggressive and sometimes confusing. Even with some failed dunks, the process is wonderful. If you look closely enough, you can see the moment he wants to attack the basket. It was one of the most exciting moments, because no one knew what would happen after that.
Other players who received the vote: Kevin Durant received 4.5% of the vote
Orlando Magic: Aaron Gordon, 43.5%
Although he has never won the dunk contest, Gordon's position as one of the best dunks in history is still very solid. His performances in the 2016 and 2020 dunk contests still spark discussions about whether he deserves a championship, and his collaboration with the team's mascot has resulted in unforgettable moments. Whether in action or not, Gordon's athleticism and explosive finish are his main skills when dunking, but getting the ball from the mascot standing on the self-rotating balance car and completing the dunk may be his best performance.
Other players who received the vote: Dwight Howard 34.8% of the vote, Shaquille O'Neal 17.4% of the vote, Tracy McGrady 4.3% of the vote
Philadelphia 76ers: Julius Irving, 62.5%
Irving won the first dunk contest at the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, setting the standard for later players. Irving's free throw line dunk was later imitated by Jordan. Generations of players — including LeBron James, who wore Dr. J's No. 6 jersey during the Heat — have inherited his style on the court, including his incredible combination of athleticism and elegant aerial work, and have inspired younger generations. It is worth mentioning that Irving is the only player to represent both teams on the list at the same time.
Other players who received the vote: Darrell Dawkins received 37.5% of the vote
Phoenix Suns: Amare-Stoudemire, 54.2%
During his time at the Suns, Stoudemire always thought about blocking all the players who stood in his way... Or all sorts of other things. Just ask Anthony Tolliver, or Michael Oloforcandi. Or ask all the opponents who felt his horrific dunks during those eight years. In his eight seasons with the Suns, he dunked 1,177 baskets — only Shaquille O'Neal and Dwight Howard had more dunks than he did. In addition, at the 2005 All-Star Dunk Contest, his and Nash's "soccer-matched" dunks also remain in people's memories.
Other players who received the vote: Larry Nance 20.8% of the vote, Tom Chambers 16.7% of the vote, Kevin Johnson 8.3% of the vote
Portland Trail Blazers: Clyde Drexler, 83.3%
When your nickname comes from your ability to bounce, it can mean that your dunks have become famous. "Glider" is a perfect nickname because his dunk will give you a sense of elegance. He soared, floated, hovered in the air, indeed... glide. He is both a maker of highlight moments in real combat and a player in the dunk contest, which shows that his dunks are both creative and practical. When he takes the last two big steps, he usually holds the ball high, which also increases the viewing of his dunk.
Other players who received the vote: Jerome Korsey received 12.5% of the vote, Brandon Roy 4.3% of the vote
King of Sacramento: Gerald Wallace, 45.8%
Wallace played in two dunk contests, one of which was played as a Kings player in 2002. His ability to bounce has always caught everyone's eye, but it's also because of his athleticism and ability to twist his body in different directions that he has completed some impressive dunks over the years. Wallace's talent was to be able to complete dunks from the sky at any moment, such as his various flying dunks in the fast attack and the partition on the head of Persian Jane Nakhba.
Other players who received the vote: Chris Weber 29.2% of the vote, Kenny Smith 25% of the vote
San Antonio Spurs: George Gervin, 47.8%
Picking a basket isn't the only thing Gervin is good at. Gervin also competed in the first dunk contest in ABA history — a one-handed windmill dunk that took off from a dotted line in the three-second zone was his highlight moment. Gervin often tries to send a covered defender with a pick-and-roll trick, but the slender legend has also had many experiences of directly slaming opponents.
Other players who received the vote: Manu Ginobili received 26.1% of the vote, David Robinson received 21.7% of the vote, and Johnny Dawkins received 4.3% of the vote.
Seattle Supersonics: Sean Kemp, 100%
While never won a dunk contest — he lost to Di Brown in the 1991 dunk contest — Kemp's selection was no doubt. Kemp's dunk was a symbol of Supersonic's success in the '90s and was reinvented on YouTube. Whether it's with Gary Payton's various air connections or across Elton Liszt's dunk, Kemp's dunk is unique. Who else can bounce around a player (Chris Gatlin) after he's been held up?
Toronto Raptors: Vince Carter, 100%
Not only the history of the Raptors, but even if you look at the entire history of the NBA, it is difficult to find players who can shake the strongest dunk in Carter's history. In 2000, Carter performed some of the most dominant and aesthetically pleasing performances in the history of the Dunk Contest, including an arm-hanging dunk and a two-handed free throw line jump dunk. Carter also regularly played as an interior player in the game, most notably at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, when he clipped 7'2- Center Frederick Weiss of France.
Utah: Darrell Griffiths, 45.8%
Nicknames are earned by oneself, not by the title. There are few cooler nicknames than Griffith's "Dr. Dunk." Before today's Jazz star Donovan Mitchell moved from Louisville to Salt Lake City, Griffith had laid the groundwork there. After numerous dunk performances for fans, Griffith's number 35 jersey hung over the Jazz's home stadium. Whether it's in the dunk contest or in real combat, Griffiths can have a good aerial performance. That's why the iconic Nike poster he dressed as a doctor — holding up two smoking half-circle basketballs — became a classic.
Other players who received the vote: Donovan Mitchell 33.3% of the vote, Karl Malone 16.7% of the vote, Jeremy Evans 4.2% of the vote
Washington Wizards: John Wall, 62.5%
In the dunk contest, Javier McGee can not only dunk two balls into different baskets at the same time, but also snap all three balls into the same basket at once. And, perhaps no Wizards interior player can complete a powerful dunk in front of an opponent like Chris Webb. But the best dunk in Wizards history (sorry, Jordan was already in the floor when he played for the Wizards) was Wall. Wall has both speed and athleticism, and before the dunk, he felt as if he had been fired from a cannon. He can dunk with both his left and right hands, and the 2014 dunk contest champion can even make a back-to-back movement during the high-speed dribble and offer a wonderful dunk.
Other players who received the vote: Javier McGee received 20.8% of the vote and Chris Weber received 16.7% of the vote.
The above is the best dunk in the history of NBA teams, I wonder which player will be the best dunk in each team in your heart? The most famous dunks in the editor's mind will be Dr. J - Irving, Jordan, Wilkins, Kemp, Carter and Lavin, of which Jordan and Lavin's dunks are like art, Irving, Kemp and Wilkins dunks are violent aesthetics, and Carter is a combination of the two, raising the height of the dunk to another dimension!