This was by far, one of my toughest assignments. Dunking has changed over the years from its showy plain beginnings to becoming a form of art in the modern era. Just looking back at the past few decades, there has been a gradual change from power dunking to finesse. What you thought was impossible a few years ago, is reality now and only imagination stands between man and his elevation to stuff the ball into the hoop. Here are my top 5 NBA dunks

No 5

Rightly nicknamed ‘The Human Highlight film’, Dominique Wilkins personified the Windmill dunk. The raw power in each slam had the stadium rocking. It was only right that I did not pick one of his Windmills over the other. There was so little to choose in between them, that I had to thrown in a compilation of his Windmills at No 5.

The Human Highlight film, Windmill Mix

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tv1egELYa6A

No 4

Dr. J (Julius Erving) has to get the credit for changing the dunking world. Before he came into the scene, dunks were primarily from close to the basket by really tall players with absolutely zero entertainment value. Dr. J showed the world, the art of dunking. He was most famously known for this dunk at No 4. Dr J starts the break with a steal, drives on the left lane and cuts towards the basket, clutches the ball in one hand, swings it across his body and elevates over Michael Cooper of the Lakers for the jam.
Dr. J clutches the ball in one hand, swings it around and throws it down over Michael Cooper of the lakers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbQKzTg0SPI

No 3

What was Tracy McGrady thinking of. This play had fans going crazy. Free throw dunks were reserved for the dunk contest not by choice but by physical ability until this day. Not a single person has even dreamed of pulling off a free throw dunk during a game. At No 3, Tracy Mcgrady starts the break, shuffles his feet a few yards from the free throw line and takes off, soaring for the slam.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=BZdWcYNxBb8

No 2

I really did not want to rank a dunk from the dunk contest here as it would change the ratings considerably. But this dunk was one of the most amazing dunks I had ever seen. Really doesnt matter when or where he did it but it was a masterpiece. The Mona Lisa of dunks and it belongs to His Airness, Michael Jordan. Jordan needs a 48 to tie and a 49 to win against his perennial dunk contest foe Dominique Wilkins. Although many people have dunked from the free throw line, this was something special. Micheal starts his run up from the end of the court, gradually gaining speed as it culminates with a smooth flowing figure taking off from the free throw line, double cluthcing in the air with his tongue out as cameras flash for the most famous picture of a dunk. It was God disguised as Micheal Jordan. Oh yeah and they gave Jordan a 50.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=m0EcVR04bAE

No 1

What can one say about this dunk. People talk about dunking on the defenders but actually going over them? And how many people could go over someone standing at 7 foot 2 inches. Well America’s Vince Carter can. At the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Vinsanity gets the steal at midcourt, gets a couple of short steps before he elevates over Frederic Weis of France and slams it over him. He actually takes off in front Weis and lands behind him. Weis did retire after the Olympics( I do feel sorry for him ) but on the bright side his name will always be synonymous with the best dunk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_H0gLc7jUY&NR

C2

P.S: Look out for James “Flight” White at this years dunk contest. He was drafted at No 31 by the Portland Trail Blazers. This guy can dunk from the free throw line and still have enough hangtime to put the ball between his legs while doing it.http://youtube.com/watch?v=pA4L-_Wic78

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