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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TORONTO, CANADA – FEBRUARY 13: Aaron Gordon
TORONTO, CANADA – FEBRUARY 13: Aaron Gordon /

3. Aaron Gordon (2016)

The 2016 Dunk Contest is our favorite in the history of the event. The battle between runner-up Aaron Gordon, and champion Zach LaVine is an absolute classic. It truly was a shame that one of them had to lose, as the pair each put up all-time great performances in the event.

Both competitors used their out-of-this-world athleticism combined with outside-the-dunking-box levels of creativity to each bring something we’ve never seen before to the contest. The 2016 contest should be the gold standard as to which future Dunk Contest competitors look for inspiration.

Gordon’s first dunk of the night is also his lowest scoring. He only earns a 45 for his twisting, turning, under-the-legs acrobatics. The score seems low, for such a great dunk. We’re wondering what more the judges were expecting from Gordon to open things up.

He quickly recovered from the “lows” of a “measly” 45 point opening dunk with his second effort. His first attempt at the dunk failed, but the crowd sensed what he was about to do and came alive. He jumped over the Orlando Magic mascot Stuff the Magic Dragon while the green furry monster was standing on a hoverboard. That alone is impressive as the mascot must stand close to 7-feet tall, but that wasn’t the end of it. Gordon put the ball between his legs before slamming it home, and still only earned a 49 for his efforts. How could you possibly want more style, flair, originality, and athleticism out of a dunk? If this isn’t a 50, then nothing should be.

Gordon brought out Stuff again for his third attempt of the evening, upping the ante by having the mascot spin on the hoverboard while holding the ball for Gordon to grab mid-flight. The judges could not deny Gordon his perfect score this time as his perfectly timed jump allowed him to grab the ball, cup it behind his back with one hand, complete a full 360-degree spin in the air, and slam it home.

The high-flying Magic man earned perfection again with his next dunk of the night, as he again leaped over the mascot, this time bringing the ball under both legs before completing his dunk. It’s a move most people couldn’t pull off if they were using a trampoline and Gordon makes it look routine.

The Dunk Contest ended in a tie-breaker, because nobody watching or judging the event wanted it to end. Gordon’s first dunk earns another 50 after he caught a ball, ricocheted off the side of the backboard and performs a twisting, full-windmill reverse slam that brings down the house.

For his final dunk of the night, Gordon toys with the idea of bouncing the ball off the shot clock before performing a baseline reverse jam but not before reaching the ball both as high, then as low as he could before the slam. The dunk earns a mere 47 from the judges and gives Gordon second place in the event, one of the finest in the history of NBA All-Star weekend.

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