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Ranking the 10 Best NBA Slam Dunk Contest Dunks of All Time

Nbcwashington · · 1276 words · By Eric Mullin
Slam Dunk Contest History NBA All-Star Weekend
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What to know about Slam Dunk Contest History

Ranking the 10 best Slam Dunk Contest dunks of all time originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago MJ from the free throw line.

Claims checked 20
Techniques found 2
Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage
Left0%
Center100%
Right0%

6 sources compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Ranking the 10 best Slam Dunk Contest dunks of all time originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago MJ from the free throw line.

Why it matters

Vince Carter declaring “it’s over.” Dwight Howard flying like Superman.

Common ground

Stream NBC4 newscasts for free right here, right now.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Exaggeration / Hyperbole: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

open_in_new Read the original article: https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/ranking-the-10-best-nba-all-star-slam-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 2 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

warning
Loaded Language 90% confidence
Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.
warning
Exaggeration / Hyperbole 80% confidence
Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.
Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.
Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 20 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

schedule Pending 10
check_circle Corroborated 5
verified Verified By Reference 2
help Insufficient Evidence 2
info Single Source 1
schedule
Claim 1: “In the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest, then-New York Nets forward Julius Erving took off from the free throw line for an iconic one-handed jam.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 2: “Gordon jumped over the mascot with his body facing away from the rim, grabbed the ball with his right hand, put it under his legs and dunked it with his left [in 2016].”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 3: “Vince Carter put on arguably the best Slam Dunk Contest showing of all time to win the 2000 event”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 4: “Gerald Green blew out the candle mid-dunk [in 2008].”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources, including a YouTube description and a TikTok clip, confirm Gerald Green blew out the candle mid-dunk during the 2008 contest.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — ... Slam Dunk Contest and the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, while finishing as the runner-up in the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Gerald Green. Green with the ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Green
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 9, 2017 ... ... one single candle upon the neck of the rim during the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Green earned a 46 after blowing the candle out mid-dunk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCtPia03L1Y
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Sep 21, 2023 ... Witness Gerald Green's incredible dunk in the 2008 Dunk Contest where he blows out a cupcake ... blew out a candle on a cupcake during a dunk ...
https://www.tiktok.com/@nba/video/7281411288108993835
schedule
Claim 5: “his first dunk: a reverse-360 windmill [Vince Carter, 2000]”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 6: “Dwight Howard jumped from a couple of feet inside in the free throw line, caught a pass that was thrown over the backboard by teammate Jameer Nelson and literally chucked the ball through the hoop [in 2008].”
CORROBORATED
Web search results describe Dwight Howard's 2008 'Superman' dunk involving a pass from Jameer Nelson thrown over the backboard.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jan 6, 2026 ... Howard's athleticism was on full display during the 2007 Slam Dunk Contest, where he completed an alley-oop dunk from teammate Jameer Nelson ...
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTMOJmjkT0f/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend. Slam Dunk Contest ...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slam_Dunk_Contest
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Jun 24, 2024 ... After ditching his Orlando Magic jersey for a Superman shirt and cape, Dwight Howard jumped from a couple of feet inside in the free throw line, ...
https://www.facebook.com/100091935957752/posts/its-a-birdits…
verified
Claim 7: “Despite it not technically being a dunk, Howard still received a 50 and went on to win the competition [in 2008].”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia explicitly states that Dwight Howard performed the 'Superman' dunk, received a score of 50, and won the contest.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — ... Slam Dunk Contest Dwight Howard performed the "Superman" dunk. He donned ... All of the Dunks received a score of 50 for the dunk and won the Dunk contest.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slam_dunk
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 16, 2021 ... Slam Dunk 2008 anyone? · http://www.youtube. com/watch? · On this day 10 years ago, Dwight Howard capped a 32- point night with the winning ...
https://www.facebook.com/OrlandoMagic/posts/on-this-date-in-…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 15, 2023 ... His combination of athleticism and size gave birth to a new Superman and a Dunk Contest performance forever cemented in NBA fans' minds. Dwight ...
https://fanbuzz.com/nba/dwight-howard-dunk-contest/
help
Claim 8: “Spud Webb did the unthinkable in the 1986 contest, dethroning reigning champion and then-Atlanta Hawks teammate Dominique Wilkins.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided for this claim in the search results.
check_circle
Claim 9: “In 2008, then-Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rashad McCants placed a cupcake on the back of the rim and lit a candle that was on top of the pastry.”
CORROBORATED
Two independent web sources (YouTube description and a 'Ranking' article) confirm Rashad McCants placed a cupcake with a lit candle on the rim for Gerald Green in 2008.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — The NBA Slam Dunk Contest (officially known as the AT&T Slam Dunk) is an annual National Basketball Association (NBA) competition held during the NBA All-Star Weekend.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slam_Dunk_Contest
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — February 16, 2008 - Gerald Green employed Minnesota Timberwolves teammate Rashad McCants to place a cupcake with one single candle upon the neck of the rim d...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCtPia03L1Y
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 10. Gerald Green blows out the candle, 2008. On a list of the most creative dunks, this might rank No. 1. In 2008, then-Minnesota Timberwolves guard Rashad McCants placed a cupcake on the back of the …
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/ranking-the-10-bes…
info
Claim 10: “Iguodala lost the competition to three-time winner Nate Robinson”
SINGLE SOURCE
The provided web search results for 'Nate' are completely irrelevant (referring to HVAC certifications and English teaching) and do not mention Nate Robinson or the 2006 Dunk Contest results.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Apr 10, 2026 · NATE is the nation’s largest nonprofit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians. © 2026 NATE. The NATE office will be …
https://natex.org/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 4 days ago · Join hundreds of members who are part of NATE’s efforts to advance the communications infrastructure industry. Become part of a dynamic community of industry leaders and innovators. Wheth…
https://natehome.com/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — NATE publishes some of the best long-form writing about English teaching, optimised here for seamless reading on your desktop, tablet, or phone. With fresh content arriving regularly, there’s always s…
https://www.nate.org.uk/
help
Claim 11: “At 5-foot-6, Webb is the shortest player to ever win the Slam Dunk Contest.”
INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE
No evidence was provided for this claim in the search results.
schedule
Claim 12: “For his third dunk, Carter caught the ball in mid-air, put it between his legs for a one-handed jam and then famously declared “it’s over.””
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 13: “On his fourth attempt, Carter got so high off the ground that he was able to stuff his forearm in the hoop after a one-handed slam.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 14: “Jordan... ran the length of his home floor at Chicago Stadium before flying from the free throw line to the rim for a one-handed dunk [in 1988].”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
schedule
Claim 15: “The then-Timberwolves guard [Zach LaVine] grabbed the ball off one bounce with his left hand, put it behind his back in mid-air and then flushed home a reverse dunk with his right [in 2016].”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 16: “Dee Brown put the expression “I can do it with my eyes closed” to the test in 1991... he closed his eyes and covered them with his right arm while dunking with his left.”
CORROBORATED
Multiple sources (YouTube and Andscape) confirm Dee Brown won the 1991 contest by dunking with his eyes closed and covered by his arm.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mar 31, 2017 ... February 9, 1991 - Technically, Dee Brown already had the 1991 NBA Slam Dunk Contest in the bag prior to his last dunk of the final round.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Etvk0lv7fqY
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 17, 2017 ... The then-Boston Celtics guard sealed a 1991 NBA Slam Dunk contest championship with his eyes closed and his right arm bent covering his eyes for good measure.
https://andscape.com/features/dee-brown-no-look-dunk/
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Feb 9, 2026 ... More videos you may like. 00:57. 22 years ago today The Big Unit threw a perfect game at 40 ye... May 18, 2026 · 3.4K views. 00:28 ...
https://www.facebook.com/HOMAGE/videos/35-years-ago-today-de…
schedule
Claim 17: “Aaron Gordon and the Orlando Magic’s mascot – Stuff the Magic Dragon – combined for two all-time dunks in that aforementioned 2016 contest.”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
check_circle
Claim 18: “Trey Murphy III, Kenyon Martin Jr., Mac McClung and Jericho Sims take centerstage in Salt Lake City, Utah on Saturday night”
CORROBORATED
Multiple web search results confirm that Mac McClung, Trey Murphy III, Kenyon Martin Jr., and Jericho Sims competed in the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest in Salt Lake City, Utah.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mac McClung, Kenyon Martin Jr., Jericho Sims and Trey Murphy enter this year’s competition looking to impress the judges, fans and their peers.McClung wins the 2023 Dunk Contest with his third perfect…
https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/2023/02/18/2023-dunk-contes…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Here are the 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest participants for the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City, Utah.
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/ranking-the-10-bes…
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Mac McClung of the Delaware Blue Coats, the G League affiliate of the Philadelphia 76ers, put on a performance for the ages on his way to his first victory in the Slam Dunk contest on Saturday in Salt…
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/g-leaguer-mac-mcclung-t…
verified
Claim 19: “Standing behind the basket, then-Philadelphia 76ers teammate Allen Iverson threw the ball off the backboard to Iguodala, who caught it, ducked under the bottom of the backcourt and slammed home a reverse jam [in 2006].”
VERIFIED BY REFERENCE
Wikipedia confirms Andre Iguodala received a pass from Allen Iverson, leapt beneath the board, and performed a reverse dunk in the 2006 contest.
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — Iguodala competed in the 2006 Slam Dunk Contest.Iguodala's first dunk was a simple windmill. Next, he received a pass from Allen Iverson off the back side of the backboard, leapt beneath the board, an…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andre_Iguodala
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — now is 2015 NBA all starTime to get back to classic momentIt hands down one of the best dunk in slam dunk contestAI to AI.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JXfljDkC6H4
travel_explore
web search NEUTRAL — 7. Andre Iguodala ducks under the backboard, 2006.Gordon had two of the best dunks in event history in the same competition…and he still lost to LaVine. 1. The Vinsanity Show, 2000. Yes, this is a lis…
https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/sports/ranking-the-10-bes…
schedule
Claim 20: “Gordon... still lost to LaVine [in 2016].”
PENDING
This claim was extracted as a checkable statement from the article. eFinder labels it pending based on the available evidence and source context shown below.
info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.