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A Dunk or a Slam Dunk is an offensive manoeuvre wherein the player manually jams the ball into the rim single-handedly or with both hands. This move often creates posters and is a huge energy boost to the team and the home crowd during the game.
It would be quite a debate to decide the top 5 dunkers in the league at present for anybody and then to arrange the top 5 in order. The parameters I have chosen to judge these players would be:
- The player’s ability to create his own dunk by getting past the defense with crossovers or just simply by beating them on speed or a simple spin move to obtain space.
- How difficult it is to block or stop the player on his way to dunk.
Based on the following criteria are my Top 5 dunkers in the league:
5. Russell Westbrook
Surprise! Did anybody expect a point guard in the list? Bet you didn’t.
At 6’3, Westbrook’s speed allows him to blow by the defense at will and the opponent’s center standing between him and basket might not fancy his chances of blocking a charging Westbrook. He usually jumps off both feet unlike the traditional one-foot jump. That enables him to increase his jump.
Another reason that you will see numerous of his one-hand dunk with big leaps is that he loves dunking the ball and is often seen doing so at every opportunity at the All-Star games.
4. Dwyane Wade
Another guard making it to the list is defending champion D-Wade. His dunking capability is overshadowed by his sensational game. Wade and LeBron James have been key instruments in punishing opponents on turnovers with fast break dunks on alley-oops to each other.
His combination of speed and strength allows him to avoid, or convert layups into dunks even, collisions with larger defenders. On the basis of this criterion, Wade fits into the list perfectly. But, nagging injuries compounded with age have reduced the number of dunks he has had in this year’s playoffs.
3. Dwight Howard
D-12 has always been known for his dunks and defensive presence in the paint. He has a running vertical leap of 39.5 inches (it was tested in 2011) which is rare and incredible at the same time for a man who stands at 6’11. This skill first came to the fore in his first Slam Dunk contest victory at the All-Star game in 2007.
The 2009 NBA Slam Dunk contest champion is well known throughout the league for his posterizing dunks on many players across the league. His leaping and ability to establish good positions during pick and roll help him get to many of his dunks.
After the Clippers acquired Chris Paul in 2011, the Clippers began to be known as Lob City. The reason behind it was that each game of theirs featured numerous dunks by Griffin and Jordan, his teammate playing at center, on alley oops from CP3.
1. LeBron James
At 6’8 and weighing 250 pounds, you do not want to be in front of the King on his charge towards the basket. By some sports analysts, he is considered the best physical specimen in the sport. He has incredible speed for his height and can blow past his defenders, leaving them with no chance to alter his intentions at the rim.
He and fellow teammate at Heat, D-wade, are right now the most punishing duo in the open court. He is the main reason for the Heat to be averaging 18.6 points on opponent’s turnovers.
Guess the Lakers players!
