Who are the top 10 dunkers in NBA history?

The slam dunk is the single most iconic play in basketball. Its simplicity, ferocity, and aesthetic value make two points feel like so much more. We’ve all dunked on our friends on the swimming pool hoop, pretending to be the next great big man. On the pavement, we’ve all experienced the rite of passage that comes with dunking on an eight-foot hoop for the first time.

For some of us, the progress stops shortly thereafter. Dunking on eight is fun. Touching the rim on nine is enough. If you can dunk on a 10-foot rim, you’re good enough for the league in my book.

This next generation of NBA players continue the sport’s tradition of dwarfing the rim and propping up the bedroom poster industry. Ja Morant goes for the kill on a nightly basis. Zion Williamson’s tour de force drops jaws. It’s safe to say the league is in good hands, but looking back can be fun, too. Who are the top 10 dunkers in NBA history?

Ranking the best dunkers in NBA history

Breaking down the top 10 dunkers in NBA history

Before he was dunking on Charles Barkley from across the desk, Shaq was getting fouled and finishing regardless. His combination of size and athleticism was unmatched, and it manifested itself into one of the most dominant careers a big man has ever had. From broken rims to sending Chris Dudley to the shadow realm, O’Neal’s dunks were one of the NBA’s most lethal weapons for more than a decade.

“Violence” comes to mind when thinking of old Shawn Kemp dunks, but so does his unique ability to invigorate a fanbase. Kemp inflicted pain on every rim he came in contact with. His skills culminated in five Slam Dunk Contests, where he routinely brought fans to their feet. If the NBA ever returns to Seattle, expect to see his jersey worn throughout the stands.

We don’t think of Kobe as a dunk maestro, but that’s a testament to his success elsewhere on the court. His signature shots will live forever, as will his determined defensive presence, but Bryant could slam it with the best of them when he wanted to. Intersecting his insane athleticism with an innate ability to get to the rim meant racking up dunks was an inevitability, even if it was ultimately unheralded in comparison to the rest of his game.

Darryl Dawkins didn’t win a Finals MVP like Bryant did. He didn’t even make an All-Star team. Yet, “Chocolate Thunder” finds his place amongst other basketball greats. Dawkins was a pioneer of the flashy dunk and the premier showman of his time. Every once in a while, a player receives a technical foul for hanging on the rim. They have Dawkins to thank. The man has more nicknames than years in the league. He even nicknamed his own dunks! It was never a question of if Dawkins was a top 10 dunker of all time, but how high he’d rank on the list.

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While he may not be turning the clock back much these days, Griffin deserves a spot on this list. Being the predominant lob threat on the Lob City Los Angeles Clippers has to mean something, right? Whether he’s putting grown men on posters or jumping over cars, Griffin has cemented himself as one of the premier power forwards of the 2010s. Now, he’ll try to win a Finals with the Celtics, who hold the best odds to win it all at BetMGM (+400). If you want a chance at turning $100 to $400 worth of profit, be sure to use their promotion for Bet Basics readers: UP TO $1,500 IN BONUS BETS.

Let’s make this next point clear. Without Julius Erving, there is no ranking of the top 10 dunkers in NBA history. His influence on the modern dunking game is as inseparable as the chocolate syrup and the milk in your favorite breakfast beverage. Erving inspired the NBA stars that came after him, and was incredibly flashy in his own right.

There are very few NBA rankings that won’t have LeBron hidden somewhere within it. Here, it’s for good reason. James has a unique ability to turn himself into a freight train, accelerating to the rim and finishing with authority. He’s one of the most prolific scorers of all time, in large part thanks to the dangers he presents to defenders under the rim. Every LeBron fastbreak is appointment viewing.

Oh, you thought you could read a basketball article without thinking about James’ comparison to his predecessor in the GOAT debate? Silly goose. Jordan dunked his way to basketball immortality, along with a whole lot of winning. Dunking from the free throw line generated a generation of imitators, and as long as his logo lives on, the world will remember the greatness that was his dunks. You don’t win 10 scoring titles without proficiency at the rim.

Perhaps the greatest dunker of Jordan’s generation, though, was Wilkins. The two had a Slam Dunk Contest rivalry (something Jordan may have actually lost, for once), but Wilkins’ stupendous slams extended to real games, too. The athleticism, flair, and creativity made him the poster child for dunking. The Human Highlight Reel is the second-best dunker of all time.

As if there was any doubt! Vince Carter is the greatest dunker in NBA history. Vinsanity didn’t just appear after a hot streak made its way onto Sports Center. It was forged in every arena Carter stepped foot in. He has some of the greatest dunks of all time under his belt. His vertical, his honey dip, his extensive list of in-game dunks and their respective victims all back it up. There is no debate.