NBA All-Star Weekend is less about the Sunday night game in the past decades. While there are some highlights like the battle between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James or Michael Jordan, Saturday night seems to be when people are tuning in the most. The Three-Point and Slam Dunk Contests have largely been the more competitive parts of the weekend. For the latter competition, there obviously have to be some great performances that are a cut above the rest. Is it Vince Carter, Julius Erving, Zach LaVine, Spudd Webb, Dominique Wilkins, or someone else?
Top 5 in NBA All-Star Weekend history?
When one thinks of dunking in professional basketball, only a handful are synonymous with NBA All-Star Weekend. Vince Carter is definitely part of that shortlist of names. He was the one responsible for bringing the hype back to this Saturday night event and for good reason. But, which Dunk Contests does he think sits atop with his legendary run back in 2001? He unveiled his rankings, via House of Highlights.
“This is in no order. But, I give Aaron Gordon and LaVine,” he said.
The battle between the Orlando Magic forward and the slick Minnesota Timberwolves guard was one for the books. It happened in probably the greatest season of sports and the most legendary NBA All-Star Weekend. While everyone was expecting the final face-off between Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, these two stole the show. Dunks from the free throw line and some insane acrobatics on the air were displayed. Eventually, it was Zach LaVine who won it and left Aaron Gordon winless despite numerous attempts to bring home the hardware.
Vince Carter goes classic
“The originator, Dr. J. He set the tone and bar for what dunking has become. We just took parts of what he's done. So, I throw Mike and Nique in there,” he added.
These three have been the standard and inspirations for most dunks. Julius Erving started it off with high verticals and jumping out of the gym with his insane athleticism. Meanwhile, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins were the ones responsible for the GOAT dunk duel during the 1988 NBA All-Star Weekend. Both through haymakers with it everything ending with the Chicago Bulls legend's famous free-throw line dunk that echoed throughout history.
“I'm going to put myself in there,” Vince Carter concluded.
Air Canada's performance was not just one singular dunk. It was a masterclass on how to extract extreme emotions out of dunking. He threw a honey dip dunk that got the crowd hyped up. On any normal NBA All-Star weekend this would have been enough. But, Vince Carter threw in a little extra by going for a 360-degree windmill dunk to seal the win in his favor. He would then proclaim the two most iconic words in NBA Dunk Contest history, “It's Over.”
All of these performances have clearly shaped how the competition has evolved. There are still a lot of dunks that have yet to be uncovered too. Hopefully, avid spectators of the league are able to see them in their lifetime just like we got to witness the five that Carter likes the most.
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