NBA

NBA All-Star 2019: 10 best dunks from the slam dunk contest over the last 10 years

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The Slam Dunk Contest is the marquee event of NBA All-Star Saturday night and ahead of this year's competition, it's time to take a look back.

Over the years, there have been an incredible amount of highlights produced and perfect 50's as far as the eye can see.

But which dunks make the cut of the top 10? Now, to make things a little easier we're only going off the past 10 years. So from the 2009 dunk contest until now.

That means no Vinsanity, no MJ or Dominique because to be honest, those three would probably take out almost every spot.

So with that in mind, here are the top 10 dunks of the past 10 years.

10 - Zach LaVine, 2015

As a 19-year-old rookie, LaVine put his name on the map with his very first dunk in the competition.

Rocking the Tune Squad jersey with Michael Jordan on his back, LaVine threw it up and went between the legs before finishing with his right hand over the back of his head.


9 - Blake Griffin, 2011

The dunk contest is just as much about showmanship as it is the dunks themselves and Griffin took it to the highest level in 2011.

As the raging favourite to take it out, Griffin sent the crowd into meltdown by bringing a car out onto the court and jumping over the hood. 


8 - Jeremy Evans, 2012

Not one, but two for Jeremy Evans. Just to add even more to it, Evans dunked two basketballs while jumping over a seated Gordon Hayward who threw the balls up in the air.

Jumping over someone is tough enough, but the complexity of having to focus on the jump and grabbing the two basketballs elevates this into another level.

7 - Javale McGee, 2011 

The second of three entries from this years competition, McGee was unlucky not to be crowned champion. Any other year and he's probably going home with the hardware.

His final dunk in the championship round saw him run along the baseline and jump under the backboard, while ducking, and throwing down an outstretched jam well behind his body.

6 - DeMar DeRozan, 2011

DeMar's second dunk of the competition may not seem like much on the first watch, but the 'showstopper' lived up to its name.

On the very first attempt, DeRozan almost takes himself out on the rim as he gathers the ball in his right hand and windmills it around his body for the slam.

5 - Dwight Howard, 2009

Dwight wanted to show off his hops and no normal ring could hold him back. So out came a backup and it was raised to an absurd 12 feet.

The greatest showman the competition has seen added some extra flair by escaping into a phonebooth and emerging with his Superman cape on.

Despite being two feet higher than a regulation rim, Dwight made the dunk look incredibly effortless.

4 - John Wall, 2014

John Wall took home the crown in 2014 and this dunk sealed the deal for the Washington Wizards superstar.

Jumping up and over the Wizards mascot, Wall cocked the ball and threw it down behind his head in an electric display.

3 - Nate Robinson, 2009

Before there was LaVine vs Gordon, it was Robinson vs Howard.

Robinson watched on as Dwight donned his Superman cape and in true villain fashion, Robinson dug into his bag of tricks and came out in all green for his opponents kryptonite.

With his final dunk, Robinson planted Dwight in the paint and jumped over the jump of Superman to claim the crown.

2 - Zach LaVine, 2016

Nobody wanted this competition to end, but after an Aaron Gordon 47 on his fourth dunk in the championship round, LaVine threw caution to the wind.

After already pulling off one dunk from the free throw line, LaVine outdid himself by going again but throwing it between his legs on the journey.


1 - Aaron Gordon, 2016

One of the greatest dunk contests of all time was between Aaron Gordon and Zach Lavine, but it was Gordon's unbelievable dunk that will be remembered the longest.

Bringing out Orlando mascot Stuff the Magic dragon, Gordon not only jumped over him he did it in a seated position and grabbed the ball from underneath before flushing it home.

This is one that truly has to be seen to be believed.


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