Best 20 Dunks in NBA History: Blake Griffin’s Dunk is Not Nearly the Greatest NBA Dunk of All-Time
The internet can’t stop talking about Blake Griffin’s dunk on Kendrick Perkins. Earlier this morning, I wondered if it would be a Top 20 dunk in NBA history. You submitted many, many candidates. It looks like Griffin probably misses the cut. [UPDATE: It seems as if there were two glaring omissions: LeBron on Damon Jones, and Dominique on Larry Bird. I’ve put them at the bottom. If I had to boot two dunks, Chris Paul on Dwight Howard would be eliminated, as well as Kobe on Steve Nash.
The alpha and the omega of NBA dunks is Vince Carter in the Olympics over a 7-footer Frederic Weis. There’s no discussion here, folks.
After No. 1, it’s all hazy and you can debate matters all you want. This Scottie Pippen dunk is pretty much a lock for the Top 5 due to the crowd reaction, the rivalry, the posturing and the power. But mostly, the studio gangster antics by Pippen after the slam.
Playoffs. Starks. MSG. In the face of Horace Grant with Jordan coming over. Leaning. Marv Albert. For me, this is a Top 5 dunk all-time, the kind of jam I’ll remember 25 years from now.
Michael Jordan’s had dozens of epic dunks, but was this his best? I like how he keeps elevating after Ewing has reached his highest point. Here’s the version with Marv Albert on the call.
From the playoffs last year, I really do think Taj Gibson’s monster 2-handed dunk on Wade is worthy of Top 10 placement in the annals of the NBA.
If we limited this post to dunks by the decade, Tom Chambers on Mark Jackson is a medalist in the 80s.
You could pick five or ten Shawn Kemp dunks, but I’ll ride with this one, which came on Alton Lister. Love how Kemp cradles the ball, then lands and points at the fallen tree. The pointing was very Jamie Foxx from In Living Color.
Speaking of cradling, this is an all-time classic. Top 10 all-time for the crowd reaction, Cooper ducking, Dr. J winding up, and the fact that it took place in the NBA Finals.
Griffin on Mozgov was filthy, but Mozgov doesn’t challenge it. He just stands there, unable to get his hands up quickly enough. I thought because Perkins leaped to contest Griffin, and the Clippers’ star was still able to throw it down in his face, Monday night’s dunk was better. I’d put Blake-on-Perk 20.
Vince Carter, when he could leap, was a bad, bad man.
Mourning also got put on a poster by Jordan. Who didn’t?
LeBron leaping over a shrimp? Very impressive. Would fall in the 15-20 range because Lucas had no idea LeBron was coming, nor did he make an attempt to thwart the dunk.
Still think this is LeBron’s best dunk.
Tracy McGrady, who was a fantastic dunker in his prime, put one down so savagely on Othello Harrington, the former Georgetown center was never heard from again.
Best dunk of Kobe’s career?
Kobe hung one on Nash, too. That’s a loud roar for a dunk on the road.
Ricky Davis using Steve Nash as a stepladder? Love this facial, and love how Davis lands and screams at the camera, “OH SHIT! OH SHIT!” I miss Ricky Davis.
Little guy-on-big guy dunks always deserve praise. This was back when CP3 had cartilage in his knees.
Kevin Johnson on Olajuwon, a legendary 90s dunk. Vocal home crowd + playoffs + Dick Enberg + Little Guy on Big Guy = Top 10 worthy.
For me, this Baron Davis dunk is the best little-on-big in NBA history. Straight on, against a larger, longer defender.
**********************
LeBron on Damon Jones was a glaring omission.
Dominique cocking back with two hands and flushing this one on Larry Legend is certainly top 20.

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114 Responses to “Best 20 Dunks in NBA History: Blake Griffin’s Dunk is Not Nearly the Greatest NBA Dunk of All-Time”
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January 31st, 2012 at 2:40 PM
So the internet took a break from winning the debate on a college playoff then?
Tom Chambers dunk is an all-timer, not just the 80s.
Baron had a better dunk on KG when he was with the Hornets.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:40 PM
Better Lebron dunk than the James Johnson one.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:40 PM
I think you mean you can’t stop posting about it.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:41 PM
Tsk tsk tsk, TBL. How could a top-20 not include quite possibly the most violent dunk of all time: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuxoqAZEy6U.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:42 PM
/dying
January 31st, 2012 at 2:42 PM
How is dunking on Steve Nash impressive? I dunked on my 10 year old last week and after I sent him to bed without dinner and called all his friends to tell them about it I stopped talking about it.
/I may have also tweeted about it
January 31st, 2012 at 2:43 PM
THIS POST DUNKED RIGHT IN MY FACE!!!
January 31st, 2012 at 2:43 PM
“Yes, this is internet.”
January 31st, 2012 at 2:43 PM
The alpha and the omega of NBA dunks is Vince Carter in the Olympics over a 7-footer Frederic Weis. There’s no discussion here, folks.
This is NOT an NBA dunk.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:44 PM
better lebron dunk than the two listed.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:44 PM
is this a joke?
January 31st, 2012 at 2:45 PM
lebron over damon jones is better too.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:45 PM
Surprised to see not a single Shaq dunk in here. Not even from young, mean Orlando Shaq breaking the backboards.
And I thought Shawn Bradley’s title as “Most Posterized NBA Player Ever” was secure.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:45 PM
also, this post has quite the BBOB feel to it. not sure if it’s the youtube videos or the other youtube videos, but it’s very similar…
January 31st, 2012 at 2:46 PM
This literally made me laugh out loud. This dunk is weak compared to the others on this “list.”
January 31st, 2012 at 2:46 PM
DUNKS LIKE A TRUCK. TRUCK. TRUCK.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:46 PM
If it is, it’s been a long-con.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:47 PM
More videos than a BBoB post
January 31st, 2012 at 2:47 PM
Over a guy that just stands there without contesting him at the rim?? Really?
January 31st, 2012 at 2:48 PM
Damn it.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:48 PM
I still cant get over the fact that the “alpha and the omega of NBA dunks” happened IN THE OLYMPICS!
January 31st, 2012 at 2:48 PM
man kobe got his whole hand above the rim!!! WOW!!!
January 31st, 2012 at 2:49 PM
The best dunk of Kobe’s career is the dunk over Yao.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:49 PM
needs more street lingo yo.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Jesus, everyone is running down their legs quicker than an Aquilera party about this Griffin dunk.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:49 PM
Oh, the absence of Dominique on this post is unforgivable.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Don’t complain….we could have had a post on Gossip Girl’s 100th episode.
/Stole that from Devang
January 31st, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Jason, honest question here. The only reasons you’ve committed 3 or 4 posts to this today is because it’s trending so high, right? If so, that’s fine, no worries. I’d do the same, if I were in your shoes. But there’s no other reason for all this attention, is there?
January 31st, 2012 at 2:50 PM
Since we’re adding Olympics dunks, what about Rock’n'Jock dunks?
January 31st, 2012 at 2:51 PM
Thats why I support SB1070.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:52 PM
what about Rock’n’Jock dunks?
Best 3 pointer ever? Dan Corteses 50 pointer in Rock & Jock 93.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:52 PM
Lebron over KG in the playoffs.
Any dunk on a non-slow news day > this Griffin non-dunk
January 31st, 2012 at 2:53 PM
Here’s a good LeBron one.
“Flight #23 outta of the rafters to hammer one down”
/I miss Reghi
January 31st, 2012 at 2:54 PM
Seems fortunate for Larry that his hand didn’t get in the way of that wrecking ball.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:54 PM
Love how two of the top 20 dunks of all time occurred in the last week.
/sure they did
January 31st, 2012 at 2:54 PM
i miss lebron.
January 31st, 2012 at 2:55 PM
Late arriving this morning: anyone see that Griffin dunk !?!?!?!
/could be Duckworth’d
January 31st, 2012 at 2:55 PM
if rock and jock dunks are in then nba slam dunk contest dunks are in
January 31st, 2012 at 2:57 PM
Dee Brown FTW!
January 31st, 2012 at 2:59 PM
I still cant get over the fact that the “alpha and the omega of NBA dunks” happened IN THE OLYMPICS!
Put that quote in the TBL Time Capsule. It says everything you’d need to know.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:00 PM
I just got off the phone with John Wall. He said if slam dunk contest dunks count, then him dunking on junior high kids in summer open gym sessions MUST count then too.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:00 PM
nba slam dunk contest dunks
Dee Brown FTW!
Cedric Ceballos > Dee Brown
January 31st, 2012 at 3:01 PM
Good stuff, Irv/Spencer. Keep the misses coming.
Productive to hear which you’d pull from the Top 20.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:01 PM
Best dunk ever – just for Shawn Bradley’s reaction
January 31st, 2012 at 3:02 PM
This is a cool post, Jason.
Reggie Miller ruins every clip he’s in. The Taj Gibson call was just terrible. “THIS IS THE EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS!” No shit, you bald, ugly fuck.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:02 PM
If you are counting John Wall summer league dunks, you gotta count dunks from NBA Jams arcade game.
/on fire’d
January 31st, 2012 at 3:02 PM
i already gave you two good lebron dunks to replace the two you used.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:02 PM
How on earth is that Taj Gibson dunk on here? That wouldn’t even make a Sportscenter top 10 of the week.
/obligatory list comment
January 31st, 2012 at 3:03 PM
Pippen’s was easily the most demeaning, therefore it’s glorious.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:05 PM
NBA fans. You are the worst Jerry, the worst.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Jordan’s amazing staring down of, I believe it was Tree Rollins (on the Hawks at the time), was hard to forget.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Griffin’s cant be on here anyway because it wasn’t even a GD dunk. He threw the ball in the rim. It was like a violent hook shot.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:06 PM
Lebron over KG is my #1. My #2 is when they won their first title, Shaq got the ball and then tossed Kobe a lob to seal their first title and those two went nuts. The dunk told the larger story and sealed a title and signified the 2 could win together after years of failure.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:07 PM
Needs more Elevator Ernie
/fire shaq
January 31st, 2012 at 3:07 PM
Jordan’s amazing staring down of, I believe it was Tree Rollins (on the Hawks at the time), was hard to forget.
On that NBA Stars tape, he worked Rollins like 20 times. They are all equally hilarious.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:08 PM
This post is missing Magic’s Griffin-esque “dunk” from Game 4 of the 1987 finals.
/formerly referred to as a junior sky-hook
//but the game done changed
January 31st, 2012 at 3:09 PM
At least Ewing fought backa little, Lister just sat there and took the imasculation from Kemp. Then there was the time Kemp dunked on Chris Gatling and Gatling just gave him five.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:09 PM
The Best NBA jam dunk was the one from the top of the kid when you did 348953478956 somersaults then dunked it.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:09 PM
This quote is even funnier considering you have the KJ on Olajuwon dunk directly above it.
Also it was complete bullshit that the Jazz got to play the Warriors in that series.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:09 PM
top of the key*
January 31st, 2012 at 3:10 PM
T-Macs nuts landed right on that lanky bastards back. I would have beed a bag of pees after that.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:10 PM
I’d say college football fans.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:10 PM
What about Wade on Sideshow Bob? That was fun.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:10 PM
Amare!
January 31st, 2012 at 3:11 PM
The Best NBA jam dunk was the one from the top of the kid when you did 348953478956 somersaults then dunked it.
There’s a code where you could get this 5 foot fat white guy in a derby hat and a wifebeater to come out. He was immediately on fire from the word go. Jordan skills. Insane. I’d kill to remember that and see if that code is still in the remakes of the game.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:11 PM
If Olympic dunks count, then some of my lame one handers count.
/could dunk Jr-Sr. year of High school
//that was 30 lbs ago
January 31st, 2012 at 3:13 PM
Are you insisnuating that Kirelenko is a more prolific dunker than Hakeem?
January 31st, 2012 at 3:13 PM
The Best NBA jam dunk was the one from the top of the kid when you did 348953478956 somersaults then dunked it.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:14 PM
No Darryl Dawkins??? WTF?????????????
January 31st, 2012 at 3:14 PM
I can’t believe this post doesn’t have one Dominique clip. Greatest dunker ever.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:14 PM
Wow, the elusive quote and link fail. Wonderful.
Here’s the NBA Jam montage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUYIanyicuw
January 31st, 2012 at 3:15 PM
Kobe was what in his second year of starting? Please. Take your Lakers years of failure song up the river.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:16 PM
I would take 10-15 dunks in this video over this hastily put-together list.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjLx9aqN57Q
Jason, a post like this should not be put together in a day. Beyond weak.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:17 PM
I always love that he named one of his dunks “Yo Mamma”
January 31st, 2012 at 3:18 PM
Also this…the 3 greatest dunkers in NBA history are Dawkins, Dominique, & Dr. Dunkenstein, Darrell Griffith. Not having any of them on this list is beyond laughable.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:18 PM
TBL why are you getting all pissy about people not in agreement w your top picks? Its your opinion, doesnt mean we have to agree. Like for example #1 isnt even an NBA dunk. Lighten up.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:20 PM
Blake Griffin is too busy with ruling LA to bother with his place in dunk history.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:23 PM
surprised to not see little-man dunks
not great quality but at least not a dunk contest
January 31st, 2012 at 3:23 PM
It’s the evolution of sports media, bro. We create the news now. Get with the times.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:24 PM
Dawkins was incredible. He attacked every rim like it attacked his Mamma.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:25 PM
we would’ve added those, but couldn’t get anyone to sponsor their embed.
/janoff’d
January 31st, 2012 at 3:26 PM
Jordan over Mutombo was great if only for the finger wave taunt and the continuation of eviscerating Georgetown centers
January 31st, 2012 at 3:27 PM
http://www.frumpzilla.com/image_gallery/Alshon-Jeffrey-Is-Fat.jpg
January 31st, 2012 at 3:32 PM
http://www.frumpzilla.com/image_gallery/Alshon-Jeffrey-Is-Fat.jpg
i thought this guy was good in college, but am starting to hear alot of negative about him. hope the texans take kendall over this dude.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:35 PM
i thought this guy was good in college, but am starting to hear alot of negative about him.
Same here, dont understand how you can have that much talent and have millions at stake and let yourself get so out of shape. Some of these guys just dont give a shit
January 31st, 2012 at 3:36 PM
This.
And this.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:38 PM
+ xxxx$$$
January 31st, 2012 at 3:39 PM
The above point is why it’s so disappointing. I love the idea for this post, and I know JMac can do a much better one than this. I get that today is probably a really opportune moment for a post like this given what’s trending on the internet, but it just feels so cheap.
I would love it if we could do a commenter vote or rank on the greatest dunks ever.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:39 PM
Except he didn’t. Played at a smaller playing weight in 2011 than he did in 2010. Utter and total BS. If you think Alshon Jeffrey “just dont give a shit”, then you are clueless.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:41 PM
The dunk posts are great because of the barely-subtextual homoeroticism.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:42 PM
And shame on me for getting baited into misspelling his name like you guys did (and the stupid frumpzilla link)…it’s Jeffery, not Jeffrey.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:43 PM
also a common theme in every other TBL post for years.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:44 PM
Does anyone remember the Shaq dunk over Chris Dudley when Shaq threw Dudley down and then Dudley threw the ball at Shaq?
January 31st, 2012 at 3:46 PM
Except he didn’t. Played at a smaller playing weight in 2011 than he did in 2010. Utter and total BS. If you think Alshon Jeffrey “just dont give a shit”, then you are clueless.
Ugh here we go…I know you think hes gonna be the greatest reciever in the history of the planet and all that good stuff…Im just saying the dude looks like shit physically and just about everything I have read on him since the season ended has been negative. It LOOKS like he doesnt give a shit. Does that sound better to you?
January 31st, 2012 at 3:46 PM
Some dude just ran onto the pitch at Everton v Man City and handcuffed himself to a goal post.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:47 PM
Right here, a def classic!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GofeqRfHAS4
January 31st, 2012 at 3:49 PM
occupy epl!
January 31st, 2012 at 3:50 PM
I applaud the innovation.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:51 PM
Here we go again? LMAO, chief. He’s going to be good, if not great. Never said anything about being the greatest anything.
Anyway…looks like it to who? I’ve been in the same room with the kid on at least 5 occasions…he’s doesn’t even remotely look “like shit physically.” If he fails in the NFL, it’s NOT going to have anything to do with his physical condition.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:54 PM
One time on my 16th or 17th birthday I dunked in my driveway and the backboard broke off (wood beam outside in Florida) and fell on my head. I got a concussion and spent the rest of the day in ER/CT scan. #1 dunk in NBA history, by far
January 31st, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Can we get an update to why the handcuffing?
January 31st, 2012 at 3:54 PM
Let me ask you this…would Donald Sterling point him out in the locker room to one of his guests as a “fine specimen”?
/That’s how I judge the ability to run a proper route
January 31st, 2012 at 3:55 PM
Anyway…looks like it to who? I’ve been in the same room with the kid on at least 5 occasions…he’s doesn’t even remotely look “like shit physically.” If he fails in the NFL, it’s NOT going to have anything to do with his physical condition.
He doesnt look like hes in shape dude. Not arguning the kid isnt good and I do like him. Just saying. And i was being sarcastic about the greatest blah blah blah. Just busting balls
January 31st, 2012 at 3:58 PM
would Donald Sterling point him out in the locker room to one of his guests as a “fine specimen”?
That’s a different argument. If we were looking at a naked picture of him then we could make a fair comparison.
January 31st, 2012 at 3:59 PM
Suspect many of those that think this will be singing a different tune after SC’s Pro Day and the combine. But we shall see. And I didn’t mean to go after you me0713…the real villain was the troll who dropped a 9 month old link into a completely unrelated post.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:05 PM
Because fuck Man City
January 31st, 2012 at 4:06 PM
as a still/always bitter Vikings fan, I will judge all S. Carolina WR’s by Troy Williamson and his #7 overall pick.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:09 PM
They did get a steal with Rice in 2nd round next year…if he could just stay healthy.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:14 PM
true. A QB to throw him a decent pass would be nice as well.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:15 PM
Half those dunks aren’t even that good. The Baron over AK one sucks compared to say, Wade’s rookie year dunk over Jermaine O’Neal in the playoffs. And there are so many Vince Carter dunks missing from this list, including Carter over Mutumbo, over Tim Duncan, over David Robinson, etc. How is Lebron’s dunk over Damon Jones not on this list? Hate the guy but that dunk was filthy.
Blake’s dunk over Mosgov wasn’t even his best dunk IN THE GAME. His spin dunk over Galinari was way nastier.
January 31st, 2012 at 4:29 PM
Hell, even Kobe on Okafor shits on most of the dunks posted (i.e – Ricky Davis jumping over Nash clearly taking a charge).
January 31st, 2012 at 5:54 PM
Pippen >>>>>>>>>>
February 1st, 2012 at 10:43 PM
Chambers is underrated.
February 2nd, 2012 at 6:49 PM
Loved those Bulls Knicks playoff series.