The Best Dunks In NBA History

In the fast-paced world of basketball, particularly in the NBA, moments of extraordinary skill occur in the blink of an eye. Miss a moment, and you might miss a spectacular slam dunk that beautifully combines power and finesse. Fortunately, cameras immortalize these brief instances. While a dunk may only add two points to the score, it captures the essence and excitement of the game. Let's celebrate the past 50 years with some of the most unforgettable dunks ever recorded.

Derrick Rose

On January 22, 2010, the Chicago Bulls radio commentator couldn't contain his excitement, exclaiming, "You cannot be serious!" and "I wanna go higher!" His reaction came after Derrick Rose performed an astounding dunk. Moments before, Rose had soared, executing a two-handed dunk over Goran Dragic and then landed back on the court with force.

This dramatic dunk was part of Rose's 32-point performance, leading to a close 115-104 victory against the Phoenix Suns. That season, the Bulls made the playoffs, and Rose was named a reserve for the Eastern Conference All-Star Team. Unfortunately, a little over a year later, Rose would suffer an ACL tear, marking the beginning of a series of injuries that would challenge his career.

Gerald Green

Gerald Green's 17-year career has seen him play for numerous teams in the United States, Russia, and China, often starting as a bench player. Despite his impressive NBA career, he's never been considered among the elite. But on March 10, 2012, Green delivered a moment of brilliance.

In a game at Newark's Prudential Center, Green leaped, rising high above the net. He caught a lob pass, composed himself mid-air, and executed a stunning windmill slam dunk. Despite his effort, the New Jersey team lost 112-106 to the Houston Rockets, but that moment remains a highlight of Green's career.

LeBron James

LeBron James, arguably one of the greatest to ever play basketball, has been dazzling the NBA since 2003. A four-time NBA champion and finals MVP on each occasion, a 19-time All-Star with three MVPs, and a two-time Olympic gold medalist, James has made more than 4,000 dunks. Yet, one dunk in 2013 is particularly memorable.

On March 18, James and his Miami Heat were up against the Boston Celtics, aiming to clinch the Southeast Division title for the third year running. The play began with Dwyane Wade, moved through Mario Chalmers and Norris Cole, and ended with LeBron James dunking over Jason Terry, securing a 105-103 victory for the Heat.

Paul George

Paul George, an eight-time All-Star shooting guard, has been a powerhouse in the NBA for over a decade, driving the Indiana Pacers to two of their most triumphant seasons. On January 18, 2014, George executed a dunk that left the Bankers Life Fieldhouse audience in awe.

During a season that would see the Pacers claim back-to-back division titles for the first time since 1971, George seized a fast-break opportunity and dazzled the crowd with an astonishing 360-degree windmill dunk. This spectacle, more akin to a Slam Dunk Contest, propelled the Pacers to a 106-92 victory over the L.A. Clippers.