If you are an avid NBA fan, then you know that the dunk is one of the most awe-inspiring plays in all of basketball.
It takes tremendous athleticism, power, agility, and creativity to pull off a flashy dunk, and when done correctly, they leave fans with their jaws dropping and cheers ringing out from the stands.
From Dominique Wilkins to Vince Carter to Lebron James and beyond, every era has had some incredible high flyers who have dropped dunks so ferocious that they’ll go down in history as some of the best seen.
With this blog post, we look back at some of the most iconic dunks throughout NBA history for you to remember – or maybe discover for yourself!
- J over Michael Cooper
It has to be one of the most iconic dunks ever made. In the 1983 NBA Finals, Dr. J (Julius Erving) drove past Michael Cooper for a huge rim-rocking slam that electrified the crowd and left Cooper lying on his back in awe.
The Philadelphia 76ers went on to win their only championship in franchise history. Still, this dunk will live forever as one of the most memorable moments in NBA history.
Michael Jordan on Patrick Ewing
Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls dominated the 1990s. In 1991, Jordan was at the peak of his powers and took flight for one of the most memorable dunks ever seen.
With Patrick Ewing on his tail, Jordan soared right over him and finished with a powerful slam that sealed the game in overtime. The play has since been memorialized by millions of GIFs and clips shared around the world.
LeBron James on Kevin Garnett
LeBron James is one of the greatest players (if not the greatest) in NBA history. During a game against the Boston Celtics, he executed one of his most famous dunks ever seen.
With a full head of steam, LeBron soared right over Kevin Garnett for an emphatic dunk that sent everyone into hysteria. It became a defining moment in LeBron’s career and set the stage for him to become one of the all-time greats.
Baron Davis on Andrei Kirilenko
Baron Davis was known for his incredible athleticism, and he showed it off in 2008 against Utah with a huge dunk over Andrei Kirilenko.
As Baron drove to the hoop, he rose and flew past Kirilenko for an emphatic two-handed slam that put the entire stadium on its feet.
It may not have been in the NBA Finals or a game-winning shot, but this dunk is still considered one of the best made!
Tom Chambers on Mark Jackson
Tom Chambers was one of the most reliable dunkers throughout his career, which culminated in a huge slam over Mark Jackson in 1988. With Jackson guarding him closely, Tom rose and finished with an awe-inspiring reverse jam that left everyone speechless.
This dunk will forever remain one of the greatest moments in NBA history – especially for fans of games of NBA teams!
Conclusion
The dunk is one of the most exhilarating plays in all of basketball, and these are just a few of the best dunks ever seen throughout NBA history. From Dr. J over Michael Cooper to LeBron James on Kevin Garnett, every era has had its fair share of high flyers who have electrified arenas with their amazing aerial abilities.
So the next time you’re watching an NBA game, keep your eyes peeled for someone attempting to make history with a jaw-dropping slam!
