'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The rosters for the 2020 All-Star Game have now been announced, and the hype continues to build ahead of All-Star Weekend. The event is always one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the basketball calendar, and all eyes will be on the annual All-Star Game as Team Giannis takes on a team put together by Los Angeles Lakers superstar, LeBron James.
Nevertheless, while Sunday's game will once again headline the weekend, there is plenty of excitement over the Slam Dunk Contest. Dwight Howard and Aaron Gordon have been announced as competitors, while there are also rumors that Zach LaVine could return - which could set up a huge showdown between three of the NBA's best dunkers.
With that said, the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest has some serious competition to overcome if it is to go down as one of the best, and here we will take a look at five greatest dunk contests of all time.
#5 2011 Slam Dunk Contest
There is still plenty of NBA fans that believe that the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest was rigged in Blake Griffin's favor, although regardless of the outcome, the contest provided plenty of show-stopping dunks.
JaVale McGee memorably dunked on two nets at once to earn a perfect score, while Serge Ibaka performed arguably the best 'free throw' dunk in the contest up until that point. DeMar DeRozan also received a perfect score after throwing himself a bounce lob before throwing down a sensational reverse dunk.
Nevertheless, following an epic battle with McGee in the Finals, Griffin was decided the winner by fan voting. Griffin's dunks, including a 360 behind the back slam were largely forgettable, although his infamous 'Kia' dunk will be long remembered due to its reputation as the worst winning dunk in history. Ultimately, Griffin didn't deserve to win, although the 2011 contest was still an excellent contest.
#4 2008 Slam Dunk Contest
Dwight Howard will make a shock return to the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest and the big man will be looking to replicate his famous 'Superman' dunk from the 2008 edition of the event. At the time, Howard was at the peak of his powers, and the then Orlando Magic star participated in a thrilling contest against Gerald Green, Jamario Moon, and Rudy Gay.
Then defending champion Green pushed Howard all the way, however, the superstar was able to perform a series of memorable dunks - before famously donning the superman cape and throwing down one of the best and most signature dunks in the history of the Slam Dunk Contest.
#3 1988 Slam Dunk Contest
While the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest lacked creativity, it remains famous for an excellent showdown between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins. The two had faced off three years earlier, with Wilkins triumphing, although Jordan got the better of his rival this time in a closely fought contest.
Despite competition from Clyde Dexter and Spud Webb, Jordan and Wilkins advanced to the final with identical scores - and the duo would combine for four perfect dunks in the deciding round. While Wilkins threw down a number of powerful dunks - including a mean two-handed windmill - Jordan finally took home the title on the last of his three attempts.
Just like in previous years, Jordan went to his famous free throw-line dunk, and with a score of 147 out of 150 - the Chicago Bulls star became a back-to-back champion in Chicago.
#2 2000 Slam Dunk Contest
Following a two-year interval, the Slam Dunk Contest returned in 2000 with Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Steve Francis, Ricky Davis, Jerry Stackhouse, and Larry Hughes taking part. All six men produced some notable jams in the first round, although Carter and McGrady quickly stole the show by producing some of the best dunks in the event's history.
McGrady's incredible athleticism and creativity were highlighted by his memorable self alley-oops - and in any other year, the Raptors man would have taken home the trophy. However, Carter's performance was so good that it helped to renew interest in a dunk contest that was facing an uncertain future.
Carter's opening 360 windmill flush was a sign of things to come, and some of his best dunks came courtesy of an assist by his competitor (and teammate) McGrady. However, the moment of the contest came when Carter famously left his arm in the rim on a dunk - providing one of the most iconic moments in All-Star history.
#1 2016 Slam Dunk Contest
While the Slam Dunk Contest has provided no shortage of thrills during the course of its existence, nothing comes close in quality to the 2016 contest. Following the elimination of Andre Drummond and Will Barton in the first round, Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon proceeded to duel it out in a contest that required two tie-breakers.
In the Finals, LaVine and Gordon were both awarded two perfect scores of 50 following increasingly impressive dunks, and the most memorable dunk of the contest came when Gordon took the ball from the Orlando mascot and completed a windmill before throwing it down.
LaVine responded with his own windmill dunk from the free-throw line to send the contest to a tie-breaker, and the then Minnesota Timberwolves star finally claimed the title thanks to a between-the-legs dunk after taking off near the free-throw line. In terms of both volume and quality, it was the best Slam Dunk Contest in NBA history, and hopefully, the duo will face off once again in the future.
