Image via Complex Original
We saw our fair share of spectacular dunks this regular season, but while posterizing somebody between November and April is nice and all, it doesn't mean quite as much (dunking on the Bobcats or Wizards could actually qualify for child abuse). A great regular season dunk can excite the crowd and spark a run for your team. A great playoff dunk can make you a legend (and, not coincidentally, help get your team the elusive O'Brien trophy). We've gathered some classic MJ moments, Black Mamba sightings, and classic '90s in-your-face flushes. Get your popcorn ready, here are The 25 Best Dunks in NBA Playoff History.
25. Dr. J Elevates Over Gross
Dunker: Julius Erving, Philadelphia 76ers
Game: Game 3, 1977 NBA Finals
One of the originators of the game, Julius Erving, served up his fair share of ill dunks throughout his ABA and NBA career. In Game 3 of the 1977 Finals, Dr. J put on a show for the crowd skying over the defender Bob Gross for the one-hand slamma jamma! *NBA Jam announcer circa '93 voice*
24. Horry Got Some Lift!
Dunker: Robert Horry, San Antonio Spurs
Game: Game 5, 2005 NBA Finals
Oh, you thought Big Shot Rob only took threes? Nope. Robert Horry had some lift in those legs too and in the '05 Finals the Pistons felt his wrath. Late in the game he hit a defender with a pump fake and proceeded to make Richard Hamilton look like a prop as he took it in for a vicious left-hand jam plust the foul. Pac said it best.
23. Camby Scales the Twin Towers?
Dunker: Marcus Camby, New York Knicks
Game: Game 3, 1999 NBA Finals
Alright, so the Twin Towers didn't get dunked on in this clip but the Spurs still got sonned. After a miss by Allan Houston, Marcus Camby came in strong and rode Malik Rose and Sean Elliot to pasture. Sidebar: The epic call by the announcer definitely deserves a spot on this list.
22. Taj Gibson Sons D-Wade
Dunker: Taj Gibson, Chicago Bulls
Game: Game 1, 2011 Eastern Conference Finals
If you were watching the playoffs last year, you remember this dunk. Taj Gibson gets funky on D-Wade and the United Center goes H.A.M. Gibson not only out jumps him for the two-hand slam but he gets the and one and D-Wade looks like a fetus.
21. Have a Seat, Old Man
Dunker: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Game: Game 3, 2007 Eastern Conference Finals
Nobody is safe when LeBron is attacking the rim, and Rasheed Wallace is no exception. In this clip, King James gets a pick from Big Z and explodes to the rim for a one-handed slam on Big Sheed. If it's any consolation, he probably would have done this to anybody, he's LeBron James.
20. Little Penny Would Be Proud
Dunker: Penny Hardaway, Orlando Magic
Game: Game 4, 1995 Eastern Conference Finals
Penny Hardaway was Kobe and T-Mac before Kobe and T-Mac. If dude would've been able to stay healthy he would've gone down as one of the greatest. Back when Shaq was his running mate and he was making the best basketball commercials ever, Penny could get up with the best of them. In Game 4 of their '95 Finals run against the Pacers, Sam Mitchell felt the pain on Penny's dunk and we had a "Man Down!" alert. At least you were remembered for something Sam.
19. Mamba Sons The Hornets
Dunker: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Game: Game 5, 2011 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Is this what we think it is? A seasoned Black Mamba sighting? Oh yes, in Game 5 of a first round matchup last year with the Hornets, Emeka Okafor apparently thought Kobe couldn't jump anymore. He was wrong, oh so wrong. Ankle injury? Last we checked, mambas don't need ankles, fam.
18. Shannon Brown Isn't Human
Dunker: Shannon Brown, Los Angeles Lakers
Game: Game 6, 2010 NBA Finals
Some things to consider when watching this clip: 1. Shannon Brown is 6-foot-4. 2. That was a horrible pass from Pau Gasol. 3. He almost hit his head on the backboard. #nuffsaid
17. Reggie Doesn't Just Shoot 3s
Dunker: Reggie Miller, Indiana Pacers
Game: Game 5, 2002 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
You can probably count the amount of times you've seen Reggie Miller dunk on one hand, but on this play the three-point marksman went hard in the paint! In a series-clinching Game 5, down by two, Reggie elevated for the two-handed finish to tie the game at 107 with 3.1 seconds to go. He also got hacked on the play and it wasn't called. #beast
16. Fast Don't Lie, Neither Does Ridiculous Hops
Dunker: Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls
Game: Game 3, 2011 Eastern Conference Finals
It was overshadowed by Taj Gibson's dunk on D-Wade, but this facial is more impressive and has a higher degree of difficulty. The 6-foot-3 reigning MVP Derrick Rose splits the Miami D with an ill crossover then takes it to the cup hard with a two-handed slam over the 6-foot-9 defensive stopper, Joel Anthony. We hope D-Rose can come back from his injury and get back to this level soon. Joel, you should be ashamed of yourself; Udonis Haslem sure is.
15. Nique Puts it Back Strong
Dunker: Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
Game: Game 5, 1988 Eastern Conference Semifinals
A dunks list wouldn't be complete without one from Dominique Wilkins. Despite never really having playoff success, in his heyday, The Human Highlight Reel was MJ's closest competition for best dunker on the planet. This play is ridiculous—'Nique has an amazing one hand tip slam, off of his own miss! #howdoyouevendothat #wheresthed
14. Kobe On KG and Co.
Dunker: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Game: Game 5, 2003 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Memo to KG and Rasho Nesterovic: Don't ever try to guard Kobe Bryant! Another crazy dunk from a young Mamba, this time against the T'Wolves and two big men. He goes baseline then proceeds to go up for a windmil with both guys trying to stop him. #justdirty
13. Dr J Makes Walton Look Unathletic
Dunker: Julius Erving, New Jersey Nets
Game: Game 6, 1977 NBA Finals
Old heads rejoice! Dr. J was ahead of his time with his dunking creativity and crazy athleticism, and in this play he makes Walton, a former MVP, look like an Average Joe. The Spanish commentators make this clip 10x better btw.
12. Kevin Johnson Has a Dream
Dunker: Kevin Johnson, Phoenix Suns
Game: Game 4, 1994 Western Conference Semifinals
Here's one for the little guys! The current mayor of Sacramento, Kevin Johnson, used to be a guard for the Phoenix Suns, and in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semis he showed Hakeem Olajuwon little men can jump too. The play before you can see the fatigue on the Dream's face, and Johnson attacked the big man like he was an injured antelope. #obamadontplaypickupwiththatguy
11. The Glide Goes Ham
Dunker: Clyde Drexler, Portland Trail Blazers
Game: Game 2, 1992 NBA Finals
One of the most under appreciated dunkers from his era, Clyde "The Glide" Drexler made Bill Cartwright look like a small child with this dunk in Game 2 of the '92 Finals. He didn't just dunk on him, he DUNKED on him. This was the moment Cartwright became a coach.
10. Kobe Gets Nashty
Dunker: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
Game: Game 2, 2006 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Remember when Kobe didn't know he couldn't win a title by himself, was dropping 81, and doing this to guys on the court? Steve Nash apparently had a split second brain fart and forgot that Young Mamba got up. Also peep a young Bynum on the bench cheering Kobe on. He's school-girl giddy.
9. Jordan Climbs Mount Mutombo
Dunker: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
Game: Game 5, 1997 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
This was a dunk with a pretty good backstory. Back in 1997, Mutombo was a young big man who was building a reputation for blocking guys and giving his signature finger wave. The Bulls and Hawks met in the playoffs and in interviews before the series, Mutombo said he could block MJ, while Jordan said he hadn't dunked on Dikembe yet but he would. MJ not only yammed on him, but he gave Mutombo his own finger wave afterward. #jordanoverall
8. T-Mac Makes 7'6 Look Small
Dunker: Tracy McGrady, Houston Rockets
Game: Game 2, 2005 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Theres not much to say about this dunk, T-Mac just mounted Shawn Bradley like black beauty. Doug Collins' awkward commentary on T-Mac being smooth and sleepy eyed also makes this amazing. NBA players might have liked dunking on Bradley more than banging groupies, emphasis on might.
7. B-Diddy Silences AK47
Dunker: Baron Davis, Golden State Warriors
Game: Game 3, 2007 Western Conference Semifinals
Baron Davis doesn't have a ton of memorable playoff moments in the league thus far, but this one's definitely gonna go down as a bright spot. In '07, after his 8-seeded Golden State Warriors dismantled the 1-seed Mavs, they faced off against the Utah Jazz. During Game 3 B-Diddy went ballistic on AK47 for a ridiculous jam, followed with a mean jersey salute. #somebodyneedsanewnickname
6. No Regard For Human Life
Dunker: LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers
Game: Game 4, 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals
Bron Bron shows off his freakish athleticism and strength on this dunk, but what makes it truly great is the call by Kevin Harlan. In mid conversation King James erupts for the jam over KG and Harlan squeals that he did it "with no regard for human life!" Really Kevin? Something tells us he creamed his pants too.
5. Kobe To Shaq
Dunker: Shaquille O'Neal, Los Angeles Lakers
Game: Game 7, 2000 Western Conference Finals
Some of you kiddies might remember this one, after all, it's one of the most iconic moments in playoff history. This was back when Kobe and Shaq's beef was subdued because they were busy hogging titles. Game 7 against Portland in the Western Conference Finals was the pinnacle of their time together. Just watching that clip takes you back to Shaq's dominant days in LA. He actually jumped for that!
4. The Lister Blister
Dunker: Shawn Kemp, Seattle Supersonics
Game: Game 4, 1992 Western Conference Quarterfinals
Before there were big man dunkers Blake Griffin or Dwight Howard, there was Shawn Kemp. He had the crazy hops like some of those after him, but he also possessed a signature flare with flash and bravado to go along with it. This dunk was probably his most memorable, not just for the crazy extension, but because of the epic "I just did that you!" point at Lister on the ground post dunk.
3. Pippen Gets Up Too
Dunker: Scottie Pippen, Chicago Bulls
Game: Game 6, 1994 Eastern Conference Semifinals
The Knicks vs. Bulls rivalry in the '90s was one of the most intense we've ever seen. On this day the Robin to Jordan's Batman, Scottie Pippen, in his first year playing without the GOAT, caught Patrick Ewing with a deadly one-hand slam. Off a great fastbreak pass, Pippen not only out-jumps Ewing and serves up an epic facial, but talks mad shit and walks over the Knicks' legend's lifeless body. Not a bad way to make up for this epic fail. In this current prissy NBA, you'll never see something like this 'cause technicals would be tossed out faster than lame clothes at the t-shirt launch.
2. Bad Move Patrick
Dunker: Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
Game: Game 3, 1991 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
This was the pure determination and will of Michael Jordan paired with his elite skill and athleticism in one play. He loses John Starks and Charles Oakley on a beautiful fake then catches Ewing trying to help late with a mean jam and proceeds to mug him in the seconds after. #whatwereyouthinkingpatrick
1. Starks Yams on MJ and Oakley
Dunker: John Starks, New York Knicks
Game: Game 2, 1993 Eastern Conference Finals
OK so MJ didn't really get dunked on, but this is the closest we're gonna get to it. Starks exploded on Oakley and MJ with the stupid bunnies and skied above them for the finish with his left hand! BJ Armstrong didn't make the poster because he was sitting on his ass nursing a couple borken ankles. Nobody was safe.