Seriously... Does Lebron hold this dunk record?

[Mr Exlax]

LeBron is an amazing athlete and he's completed some legendary dunks, but to play devil's advocate, that specific jam was dependent upon a ton of outside variables that'd leave even the best of the best unable to attempt to duplicate such a feat, even if they were more than capable.

From one side of the coin, in the LeBron near-free throw takeoff, LeBron was in complete control of being in the open floor, striding out, and taking off. When Gerald Green windmilled an alley-oop, that's Green opting to catch the lob, then perform the windmill itself before slamming it home. So on and so forth. Each player had an open canvas and were free to do as they pleased. Those dunks can be copied as seen fit. They can only if other dunkers are as talented, but they can happen more less whenever a dunker decides to attempt.

In contrast, the only real thing LeBron was in control of in that alley-oop was the dunk itself, which was a relatively mundane one-hand dunk (by James' standards). The unique circumstance was there happened to be a leaning 5'11'' point guard looking in the opposite direction under the basket while a 6'9'' high leaper had the opportunity to attack the basket without having to worry about taking the ball up with them. One point being, it's not exactly a scenario that's presented itself to other dunkers throughout history. If I had to guess, I believe a significant portion of high risers would have been able to duplicate such a flush if given the opportunity. That doesn't mean James doesn't deserve props for the execution, far from it in fact. I'm just saying it's not as if that scenario had presented itself thousands of times throughout history and James was the first one to succeed. It was a pretty unique opportunity.

The other point is it really wasn't that spectacular of a dunk. It was neat to look at, but I'm relatively confident I could select 10 other LeBron jams I'd prefer over the Lucas one. Put a leaning Lucas down there, a couch, a ball rack, Rashard Lewis bending at the waist with a shooter shirt over his head, it's all the same. It's still just a relatively normal one-handed slam dependent upon a unique set of circumstances.

I feel as though I swung too far in the other direction. It was a special dunk. But it wasn't as mind-bending to me as some have suggested.

I'm 100% sure that other players are able to do it, but they haven't. The dunk itself wasn't all that, but the guy jumped over a grown man in the middle of a game bro. That's what's so mind blowing. I don't care if he did it over a midget. It's in a game and then it came outta nowhere. Until I see somebody else do it, then it's special. That's a once in a lifetime play.

The dunk from the freethrow line was cool. I've seen those a million times.

[Rake2204]

I'm 100% sure that other players are able to do it, but they haven't. The dunk itself wasn't all that, but the guy jumped over a grown man in the middle of a game bro. That's what's so mind blowing. I don't care if he did it over a midget. It's in a game and then it came outta nowhere. Until I see somebody else do it, then it's special. That's a once in a lifetime play.

The dunk from the freethrow line was cool. I've seen those a million times.

As others have alluded, Vince Carter has completed such a dunk. And I understand the need to differentiate between NBA and other leagues or tournaments (I often have that need myself) but it's not as if Carter's slam occurred at the Rucker. It happened in Olympic competition, off the dribble, over an upright 7'2'' center.

I still feel as though the James dunk had more to do with Lucas than it did James. For starters, I much prefer James' dunk over Delonte West to the dunk on Lucas. The West play was a great monster flush by James. And if Delonte West had only been four inches shorter and leaning over in the opposite direction, James may have cleared him as well. Instead, it was a nasty dunk because it was a nasty dunk. In the Lucas slam, James didn't have to do anything particularly extraordinary to make the dunk. Had John Lucas been out of the paint, leaving wide open spaces, I feel as though James' dunk would have looked virtually identical (accounting for the very minor leg bend, which he may have done anyway).

Lebron took of and dunked from further away than ANYBODY in NBA history (IN-GAME dunking history) with this one:

The computer I am on sometimes fails to display all images. In this case, I only see two frames. Did you purposely leave out the frame with James' foot planted or is that my computer (I ask with sincerity)?

[winnnaz]

Pippen's free throw line dunk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSme4QmiLcs

I know it's not in a game, but this is dead on the line.

[Velocirap31]

Vince Carter jumping over Weiss in the Olympics >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Lebron jumping over Lucas.

And that's an understatement.

Absolutely. No one will argue this.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Thank you...

Even if it wasn't from the free throw, how many other dunks were as close as this one in a real nba game?

Jordan, Drexler, Bender, Dalembert and a few others have jumped from that distance in game on the break.

Also, I must say, the conditions of this record (I use that term loosely) appear to be a little limited. The only player to both dunk over a leaning 5'11'' point guard looking the wrong way and almost jump from the free throw line in-game? Perhaps.

Then again, does that mean Michael Jordan holds the record as the only player to both rock-the-cradle against the Knicks and dunk on Kelly Tripucka in separate games?

Seriously. This topic is retarded.

[OldSchoolBBall]

Lebron took of and dunked from further away than ANYBODY in NBA history (IN-GAME dunking history) with this one

Nonsense. As noted, Carter, Jordan, Drexler, Dalembert and others have jumped from the same or greater distance in game. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgFv5k6r5t4#t=4m51s

[Mr Exlax]

In the Lucas slam, James didn't have to do anything particularly extraordinary to make the dunk.

The only thing that was amazing or special about the dunk was that he jumped over an NBA player during a game. I don't even count it as dunking on Lucas. It's just crazy that Lebron Jumped over him. Again though, I wouldn't care if it was over Mugsy Bouges or Spudd Webb. No matter the player's height, he jumped over him. He jumped over him! I can't compare this to Vince's dunk because Vince was coming with some steam and he was in control of what was gonna happen. Did I mention Lebron jumped over somebody? In the middle of the game? Until I see it happen again, no matter how basic the dunk was, it is still special.

[Rake2204]

The only thing that was amazing or special about the dunk was that he jumped over an NBA player during a game. I don't even count it as dunking on Lucas. It's just crazy that Lebron Jumped over him. Again though, I wouldn't care if it was over Mugsy Bouges or Spudd Webb. No matter the player's height, he jumped over him. He jumped over him! I can't compare this to Vince's dunk because Vince was coming with some steam and he was in control of what was gonna happen. Did I mention Lebron jumped over somebody? In the middle of the game? Until I see it happen again, no matter how basic the dunk was, it is still special.

I am unclear as to what you mean you cannot compare this dunk to Vince Carter's. Could you clarify? For it felt as if you were saying Vince Carter's was somehow easier, as if LeBron James did not have a head of steam and Vince Carter did. Again, if anything else, I'd find Carter's much more spectacular for the simple fact he approached the basket knowing full well he'd have to jump over a 7'2'' center attempting to take a charge in order to complete his dunk. On the contrary, as you mentioned, James wasn't really in control as to whether a random ducking point guard looking the other way was under his normal flight path, it didn't really make a difference to James' dunk one way or another.

[Colbertnation64]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpzK_...ailpage#t=142s

[Calabis]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Nb7qea2hRo

[Mr Exlax]

I am unclear as to what you mean you cannot compare this dunk to Vince Carter's. Could you clarify? For it felt as if you were saying Vince Carter's was somehow easier, as if LeBron James did not have a head of steam and Vince Carter did. Again, if anything else, I'd find Carter's much more spectacular for the simple fact he approached the basket knowing full well he'd have to jump over a 7'2'' center attempting to take a charge in order to complete his dunk. On the contrary, as you mentioned, James wasn't really in control as to whether a random ducking point guard looking the other way was under his normal flight path, it didn't really make a difference to James' dunk one way or another.

No I'm saying because Vince Carter was in complete control of the situation and his man saw him coming and had a chance to do something about it. Please don't misunderstand me as saying Lebron's was better lol. Vince's dunk was better in every fashion, but Lebron's was off of an alley where he was not in control of the situation. It just happened and nobody even really saw it happen. Plus Vince dunked on the guy. Like on him. Lebron jumped over a clueless defender.

[Rake2204]

No I'm saying because Vince Carter was in complete control of the situation and his man saw him coming and had a chance to do something about it. Please don't misunderstand me as saying Lebron's was better lol. Vince's dunk was better in every fashion, but Lebron's was off of an alley where he was not in control of the situation. It just happened and nobody even really saw it happen. Plus Vince dunked on the guy. Like on him. Lebron jumped over a clueless defender.

I appreciate the clarification in your thoughts.

[inclinerator]

Nonsense. As noted, Carter, Jordan, Drexler, Dalembert and others have jumped from the same or greater distance in game. Here's one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgFv5k6r5t4#t=4m51s

wat r u talking about none of their dunks were at a further distance than lebron's

[swi7ch]

After winning a title, there is virtually NOTHING James can't do.

[It's A VC3!!!]

Vince Carter jumped over Tim Duncan. That dunk is extremely underrated. He has jumped over the FT line atleast 3 times too.