Image via Complex Original
The NBA in the '90s influenced pop culture more than it does today and turned basketball into a global sport. Michael Jordan was selling crazy amounts of sneakers (and still is), the Bulls reigned supreme, Shawn Kemp was in his prime, and Shaq took the league by storm. Dunks were more fun back then too because players didn't get T'd up after a cold stare or a little taunt at every turn. Kemp pointed an laughed at Alton Lister after embarrassing him and just ran down to play defense, and Scottie stepped over Patrick Ewing after running him over in the air (he got T'd up though, but still), the NBA in the '90s was just better than today's game. Hall of Famers everywhere, records being broken, and profits at an all-time high. Oh and let us not forget about the Slam Dunk Contest. Dee Brown, Isaiah Rider, and Harold Miner all showed off during the All-Star Weekend's Main Event. Take a trip down memory lane with us as we celebrate Shawn Kemp's 44th birthday and check out 20 Badass NBA Dunks of the '90s.
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20. Someone Box Out the G.O.A.T. Please
Date: 12/4/1992
Game: Blazers @ Bulls
They don't make 'em like they used to. He did this five other times in his career.
19. White Men Can Jump
Date: 2/10/1996
Game: 1996 Slam Dunk Contest
A white guy that can jump and do it from the foul line. Definetly badass. Don't hate.
18. The Bulls Dunk All Over Charles Barkley
Date: 1990
Game: 76ers @ Bulls
First Pip shitted on him, then Jordan treated him like his son, finally Horace told him to sit down.
17. Kevin Johnson Rides the Hot Rod
Date: 2/26/1992
Game: Cavs @ Suns
Hot Rod Williams wanted no parts. As soon as he saw KJ rise, he tried to run away but instead ended up with a grown man straddling his back.
16. Marcus Camby Doesn't Have an Answer
Date: 1998
Game: 76ers @ Raptors
Yup, Allen Iverson was able to dunk. He rode Marcus Camby like a wild bronco.
15. Shaq Kills Kelvin Cato
Date: 4/24/1998
Game: Blazers @ Lakers
Get the fuck out of the paint, Kelvin. Are you crazy? Does he get props for being stupid?
14. Shawn Kemp Gets the Props
Date: 4/28/1992
Game: Warriors @ Sonics
The dunk was so dope, Chris Gatling had to dap him up. That's true respect right there.
13. Dee Brown's Claim to Fame
Date: 2/9/1991
Game: 1991 Slam Dunk Contest
Almost every kid had a poster of this dunk. And prior to this contest-winner, Dee Brown pumped up his Reeboks which gave him the power to finish this one with no eyes.
12. The Manchild Tricks Sir Charles
Date: 11/16/1993
Game: Suns @ Warriors
They joke about this dunk every once in a while on TNT. Barkley should've knew the jig was up when Webber went around the back.
11. The Diesel vs. The Admiral
Date: 2/11/1996
Game: 1996 All-Star Game
The Admiral was 7'1" and 235 lbs. and Shaq treated him like a gnat.
10. Baby Jordan
Date: 2/20/1993
Game: 1993 Slam Dunk Contest
With the Slam Dunk title already in hand, Miner gave the fans a going away present in the form of this monter 360 Windmill throwdown. He put on a show that year.
9. The East Bay Funk
Date: 2/12/1994
Game: 1994 Slam Dunk Contest
Kobe's a biter. He bit Jordan and he bit Isaiah Rider. Never forget the East Bay Funk.
8. The Dunk
Date: 5/25/1993
Game: Bulls @ Knicks
We asked Starks if he dunked on Mike, and he said: "He's in the picture trying to go for the block, so I'd have to say, yes." So yeah, in his mind he dunked on him. Moral victory, we guess.
7. His Airness Climbs Mt. Mutombo
Date: 1997
Game: Hawks @ Bulls
Mutombo should've never told Mike that he never dunked on him. MJ was on a mission after that. And looks like he finally climbed to the NBA's highest peak.
6. Shaq Attaq
Date: 2/7/1993
Game: Magic @ Suns
The Diesel made the court retire. Night, night.
5. Shaq Attaq Pt. 2
Date: 4/23/1993
Game: Magic @ Nets
Basketball court companies had to use metals from outer space because of Shaq.
4. Scottie Pippen Is Disrespectful
Date: 5/20/1994
Game: Knicks @ Bulls
Look at Pete Myers all gassed up. Pip should've dunked on him too. Today this dunk would've been an ejection. Can't talk shit like that anymore.
3. Kevin Johnson Doesn't Have a Dream
Date: 5/15/1994
Game: Rockets @ Suns
KJ was a bad man when he was in his prime. And he was at the top of his game during this period. Hakeem took over as the best player in the L once Mike retired and Johnson dunked all over him. Every '90s NBA fan remembers this one.
2. Michael Jordan Still Owns Patrick Ewing
Date: 4/30/1991
Game: Bulls @ Knicks
MJ used to abuse the Knicks and torture Patrick Ewing his entire career. Why would he do Starks, Oak and Pat like that? He was so mean.
1. Alton Lister Is Immortal
Date: 4/30/1992
Game: Warriors @ Sonics
You can't even taunt people like this anymore. That would've been an automatic Flagrant 2 and an ejection. Kemp came down the lane like a runaway train, shitted all over Alton Lister, and pointed at him. He ain't shit.