Fansided

10 greatest slam dunk contest performances of all time

By Aaron Hertzog

ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 8: Judges, Dr. Julius Erving, Michael Jordan and Spud Webb during the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest on February 8, 2003 at the Georgia Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia during the 2003 NBA All-Star Weekend. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)
ATLANTA - FEBRUARY 8: Judges, Dr. Julius Erving, Michael Jordan and Spud Webb during the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest on February 8, 2003 at the Georgia Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia during the 2003 NBA All-Star Weekend. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 7: Eastern Conference All-Star Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks dunks during the Slam Dunk Contest during the 1988 NBA All-Star Game on February 7, 1988 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Bill Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – FEBRUARY 7: Eastern Conference All-Star Dominique Wilkins of the Atlanta Hawks dunks during the Slam Dunk Contest during the 1988 NBA All-Star Game on February 7, 1988 at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1988 NBAE (Photo by Bill Smith/NBAE via Getty Images) /

4. Dominique Wilkins (1988)

The man known as the Human Highlight Film should be included on any short list of greatest dunkers of all-time. Wilkins not only could bring the magic in a Dunk Contest setting but was one of the most ferocious in-game finishers of all-time. Legendary dunker status in both areas is even more rarified air for a player to find.

We could have easily included ‘Nique’s first-place finishes in 1985 or 1990 on this list, but instead, choose his second-place showing to Jordan in 1988. The fierce competition between the two, and the controversial crowning of Jordan as champ in his home city of Chicago adds to the legendary status of WIlkins’ performance.

Dominque started things off with a reverse slam that he cocked down between his legs before throwing it home. It might seem routine, but Wilkins had a way of finishing like few others, with a combination of power and grace not many other dunkers in history could match. He was an explosive, two-foot leaper and flat-out punished rims when he slammed the ball through.

His second dunk is a 360-degree spinning slam “with just a little authority” described underwhelmingly by the announcers. They marveled at his body control and jumping ability while also be able to jam with such power, which is a running theme whenever Wilkins’ dunks are discussed.

His third dunk of the contest earned a near-perfect 49 points from the judges as ‘Nique exploded from a few feet in front of the rim performing a full rotation windmill before stuffing the ball through with rim-rattling thunderous power.

Wilkins followed it up with another 360-degree, two-handed slam and finished the semi-find round off with an up-and-under baseline jam good enough to get him into the finals against Jordan.

Dominique really made a perfect Slam Dunk Contest foil for Air Jordan. Their styles clashed as Jordan walked on air, gliding and hanging for an eternity before dunking, and Wilkins would lay waste to the rim with his explosive, powerful finishes.

The final round of the 1988 contest would see Dominique Wilkins score back-to-back perfect 50’s with a self-pass off the backboard jammed home after reaching ridiculous vertical heights, and a baseline flying windmill that might still have the rim-rattling to this day.

His third dunk of the finals, another two-handed windmill jam, was given a curiously low score of 45. After Jordan performed another dunk from the free-throw line, he was awarded 50 points and the controversial decision over Dominique.

While he may not be the official 1988 Slam Dunk Contest Champion, we give the nod to the Human Highlight Film here with the number four spot on our list of greatest performances of all time.

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