Every NBA team’s greatest dunker of all time

Brooklyn Nets: Julius Erving

This was a no-brainer decision. Although he spent 11 of his 16 professional years with the Philadelphia 76ers, the best seasons of “Dr. J’s” illustrious career were with the New York Nets of the ABA. From 1973-1976, the New York native averaged a double-double of 28.2 points and 10.9 boards along with 5.2 assists, 2.3 steals and 2.1 blocks.

Probably the most eye-popping part about Erving’s 252 games with the Nets was his shooting splits — 50.8 percent shooting, including 34.3 percent from long range (which back then was considered decent compared to today) and 78.9 percent from the charity stripe. Erving notched a pair of scoring titles in the Big Apple as well in 1974 (27.4 points) and 1976 (29.3 points). These were also the years he led the Nets to an ABA title.

Compared to Green and Wilkins, Erving was much more graceful. He is one of the pioneers of creative dunks and made it popular. We all know about his infamous, one-handed windmill dunk. But the reality is that he had many more highlight jams throughout his career.

Erving was made to play 70s- and 80s-style basketball. Although he was only 6-foot-7, he was skinny and lanky like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. Erving had an abnormal wingspan as well which made his dunks all that more impressive. The beautiful thing about his jams was his ability to combine his natural jumping ability and wingspan.

That’s why whenever Erving rose up for a dunk, he looked like he was standing in the air like the Statue of Liberty. That could also be for the sake of symbolism since he is a New York native, but it gave him maximum extension and was essential for him to punch the rock through the hoop.