I thought it was a good and fun list. I don't agree with it, but it was fun. I think a lot of it comes down to what markers we're using to measure "best" dunks. For instance, it sort of complicates things, but I still think the effect given dunks had on crowds, judges, and viewers at the time may still be at least a small part of the equation. With that in mind, it's kind of tough to exclude, say, the soaring Jordan free throw line dunk.
On the flip side, I've never been a huge fan of Jordan's side windmill (aka his Kiss the Rim dunk). I always kind of thought the legendary status of that slam was created by excellent camera work more than by the outstanding nature of the dunk itself. That low angle sideline view that's thrown into super slow motion at just the right time make Jordan look like he's floating higher and longer than he truly was. It was a fun dunk, but I feel we're more in love with a camera effect than we are the dunk itself.
I also feel J.R. Smith's dunk is not exactly top three worthy because the shock factor was basically at 0 after his numerous attempts to put it down prior. And even then, the final dunk was awesome, but not perfect by any means.
I also really like DeMar DeRozan's dunk in slow motion (and regular motion for that matter) but his slams always seemed to be lacking something to me. This is my favorite dunk of his but still, in regular motion, he nails it, but the flavor seems moderate. I really like it, but I can't see myself labeling it as one of the top four dunk contest dunks of all time.
I like all 10 of the dunks you picked. But if I were to be a stickler, as you can tell so far, I have issue with some of them. Darvin Ham is another example. It wasn't super clean and I get the feeling even Ham would admit he didn't perform that dunk exactly as he wanted to.
Amar'e Stoudemire's dunk was fun and I was entertained, but it is more or less a dunk he could perform in his sleep. I may have even liked his All-Star Game version better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp164npRuxE
It feels ridiculous to talk down any of those slams because again, I'm a fan of each of them, but if we're talking Top Ten of all-time, those are some of my issues I'd have with those picks.
I actually think one of the main problems with the dunk contest is that they f*cking change the rules EVERY YEAR. Just keep it consistent. I mean in 94 or 95 one of the players didn't even know about the rule changes until they told him he f*cked up.
I think LJ's bounce off the ground, off the backboard dunk was as good if not better than the 360. He thew down some good dunks until the final round when he missed.
Again, Ham was ripped off. Dude didn't even get out of the first round in that contest. Given that wasn't super clean, but he was clearly the best or second best in that round.
I thought it was a good and fun list. I don't agree with it, but it was fun. I think a lot of it comes down to what markers we're using to measure "best" dunks. For instance, it sort of complicates things, but I still think the effect given dunks had on crowds, judges, and viewers at the time may still be at least a small part of the equation. With that in mind, it's kind of tough to exclude, say, the soaring Jordan free throw line dunk.
I can understand that part. I took it into account.
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On the flip side, I've never been a huge fan of Jordan's side windmill (aka his Kiss the Rim dunk). I always kind of thought the legendary status of that slam was created by excellent camera work more than by the outstanding nature of the dunk itself. That low angle sideline view that's thrown into super slow motion at just the right time make Jordan look like he's floating higher and longer than he truly was. It was a fun dunk, but I feel we're more in love with a camera effect than we are the dunk itself.
I can understand how you would feel that. I agree to a degree. The slow motion side view makes it epic, but then it shows off the beauty of the dunk.
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I also feel J.R. Smith's dunk is not exactly top three worthy because the shock factor was basically at 0 after his numerous attempts to put it down prior. And even then, the final dunk was awesome, but not perfect by any means.
I definitely feel you on this, but judging the dunk standing alone, it was awesome. It had never been done before. That factored in to me.
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I also really like DeMar DeRozan's dunk in slow motion (and regular motion for that matter) but his slams always seemed to be lacking something to me. This is my favorite dunk of his but still, in regular motion, he nails it, but the flavor seems moderate. I really like it, but I can't see myself labeling it as one of the top four dunk contest dunks of all time.
This is just one of my favorite dunks of all time. He got robbed by Kia and gimmicks. Blake's misses were better than his makes and Demar just put on a show.
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I like all 10 of the dunks you picked. But if I were to be a stickler, as you can tell so far, I have issue with some of them. Darvin Ham is another example. It wasn't super clean and I get the feeling even Ham would admit he didn't perform that dunk exactly as he wanted to.
He had some good makes and that third one was nice. It's an underrated dunk.
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Amar'e Stoudemire's dunk was fun and I was entertained, but it is more or less a dunk he could perform in his sleep. I may have even liked his All-Star Game version better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp164npRuxE
This was a fun dunk for me. I wanted to include Dominique, but all he ever did was the same windmill dunk every single time.
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It feels ridiculous to talk down any of those slams because again, I'm a fan of each of them, but if we're talking Top Ten of all-time, those are some of my issues I'd have with those picks.
That's fine. I want the disagreement because that gets conversation going. Thanks for your input.
10. J.R. Rider's Between-the-Legs
9. Dwight Howard's Backboard Tap Pass
8. Dee Brown's No Look
7. Jason Richardson's Bounce Between-the-legs Reverse
6. Michael Jordan Sideways Windmill
5. Vince Carter's cuff clockwise 360 windmill
4. Gerald Green's Cupcake 3. Dwight Howard's Superman
2. Vince Carter's Elbow
1. Michael Jordan's Free Throw
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Originally Posted by Rake2204
3. Dwight Howard's Superman
It's not that surprising they'd pick MJ over Carter (I'd disagree, but whatever). But picking Dwight's "olol I have a cape" dunk over the legendary 360 windmill? No. No. That's not right
no.1 should be VC's 360 windmill. his between the legs off the bounce should be in the top 10 too, he was the first guy to do it in a dunk contest off two feet, and dudes head was on the rim despite having to put the ball between his legs. come on SI stop the madness
That list is awful. J-Rich should have some higher dunks in that. Vince's elbow dunk is only his 2nd best dunk from that contest. Dwight's Superman was not better than his tap off the glass. So many things wrong with the list.
I thought it was a good and fun list. I don't agree with it, but it was fun. I think a lot of it comes down to what markers we're using to measure "best" dunks. For instance, it sort of complicates things, but I still think the effect given dunks had on crowds, judges, and viewers at the time may still be at least a small part of the equation. With that in mind, it's kind of tough to exclude, say, the soaring Jordan free throw line dunk.
On the flip side, I've never been a huge fan of Jordan's side windmill (aka his Kiss the Rim dunk). I always kind of thought the legendary status of that slam was created by excellent camera work more than by the outstanding nature of the dunk itself. That low angle sideline view that's thrown into super slow motion at just the right time make Jordan look like he's floating higher and longer than he truly was. It was a fun dunk, but I feel we're more in love with a camera effect than we are the dunk itself.
I also feel J.R. Smith's dunk is not exactly top three worthy because the shock factor was basically at 0 after his numerous attempts to put it down prior. And even then, the final dunk was awesome, but not perfect by any means.
I also really like DeMar DeRozan's dunk in slow motion (and regular motion for that matter) but his slams always seemed to be lacking something to me. This is my favorite dunk of his but still, in regular motion, he nails it, but the flavor seems moderate. I really like it, but I can't see myself labeling it as one of the top four dunk contest dunks of all time.
I like all 10 of the dunks you picked. But if I were to be a stickler, as you can tell so far, I have issue with some of them. Darvin Ham is another example. It wasn't super clean and I get the feeling even Ham would admit he didn't perform that dunk exactly as he wanted to.
Amar'e Stoudemire's dunk was fun and I was entertained, but it is more or less a dunk he could perform in his sleep. I may have even liked his All-Star Game version better: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bp164npRuxE
It feels ridiculous to talk down any of those slams because again, I'm a fan of each of them, but if we're talking Top Ten of all-time, those are some of my issues I'd have with those picks.
Rake you're a good poster but you gotta learn how to summarize. I wanna read, but its too damn long
Re: SI's Top 10 Dunk Contest Dunks
