What’s LeBron’s Best Dunk?
After the game last night LeBron was musing about Wade’s dunk over Andy Varejao. He said it might be one of the top 10 dunks of all time- along with his dunk on Damon Jones. This bothers me. It bothers me because while the dunk on Jones was an impressive display of power and athleticism- it was against Damon Jones on a fast break. Jones jumped and then folded over in an almost fetal position. It isn’t even close to my favorite LeBron dunk.
The dunk I’m referring to is the ‘no regard for human life’ poster against the Celtics in the playoffs. You remember the dunk. James goes around supposed stopper James Posey, lifts off and crushes the ball over Kevin Garnett who is trying to put his forearm through James’ midsection. The call makes the dunk that much better, I’ll give you that. Everyone says posterized or something similar, but “LeBron James with no regard for human life” is just awesome.
Scott reminded me of the dunk against San Antonio over Tim Duncan. That was a good one as well, and much better in my opinion than the Damon Jones dunk. A good one as well. DP’s favorite is the slam over Rasheed Wallace and the Pistons in the ‘07 playoffs. That was a momentum changing dunk. Another good call and certainly better than the Damon Jones.
So what is your favorite?
November 13th, 2009 at 2:08 pm
I’m sticking with the dunk over KG. The look on his face after getting dunked on like that was priceless…
November 13th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
either the dunk over KG or the dunk on Timmy. I might have to go with the one on KG, tho, since everyone talks about how he is an “enforcer” on defense. he cowers away from LBJ instead of trying to foul him; some ‘enforcer’ he is…
November 13th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
I know it’s against D-West, but
this is still one of my favorites
The Garnett dunk or the block on Rondo earlier this year are still on the top
November 13th, 2009 at 2:21 pm
KG getting faced is the ultimate.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
his dominique style dunk on dallas a couple years ago
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqD-JoDgKao
November 13th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
“With no regard for human life” is right up there with “Whooooaaaa BOOMSHAKALAKA!” as my favorite dunk commentary
November 13th, 2009 at 2:39 pm
It’s clearly the “No Regard For Human Life” dunk.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
Definitely have to say that’s my favorite b/c of the importance of the dunk, plus it was over KG, which made it that much better.
My close 2nds were the dunks against Detroit in the playoffs. The one that posterized Rasheed and the dunk that has Tayshaun Prince quivering in fear under the basket instead of trying to contest the dunk.
(Sorry for the awful video quality)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_5xZKVubkT8&feature=related
November 13th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Has to be the dunk against the Celtics. First, because it’s the only one where he’s getting obviously fouled as it’s happening. Second, because it’s against the Celtics and I hate the Celtics more than any other team in the league. Third, it was in the playoffs in a crucial game that the Cavs had to win, and that dunk in the finals minutes guaranteed the Cavs would win that game.
November 13th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
There’s also the Paul Pierce arms in the air “it’s not my fault” reaction at the end which I especially enjoy.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Wow. Tough call. Especially after all the entries in the comments. Does anyone have a link to the dunk on Damon Jones? That was nasty.
I would have to say the one on Duncan is my favorite, then the Dallas one.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
In order of sickness and situation here are my top 5.
1) With no regard for human life.
2) Tim Duncan
3) Delonte
4) Damon Jones
5) Lebron’s Dunk against the Bobcats his rookie year – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ve5lSjtmE4Q.
I remember watching this game at the time and I thought it was one of the sickest dunks life I had ever seen. If you look at it from the ball looks like it could be level with the backboard.
This was when Reghi was still doing the play by play (”Lebron loves Levitation) and Mark Price was the color guy. Price was speechless and was mumbling over his words. Then they showed David Thompson in the crowd giving a standing ovation after the dunk. Reghi said something like “when David Thompson gives you a standing ovation you know you did something remarkable.”
The legend of David Thompson is that he could swipe a quarter off the top of the backboard. I saw a video of James White trying to do this and he came about an inch a way. I work with a guy who grew up in North Carolina and had gone to a David Thompson basketball camp and he said that he watched Thompson do it.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Gotta be the dunk over GuaranSHEED Wallace…everyone hates his guts, that made it all the more awesome.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
Best dunk was definitely over KG…I still get chills watching it every single time. My favroite LBJ PLAY though is his crushing block on Yao Ming last December. “That basketball will never be the same!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_0RXfSTG88
November 13th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
The Damon Jones dunk was amazing – but the dunk on KG was the best just because it was in the playoffs and it was against KG.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:46 pm
My favorite is actually the between the legs dunk he did when he was at SVSM. It’s a “dunk contest” dunk for nearly every other player in the world, and he did it as a high-school kid on a breakaway.
The Wade dunk wasn’t even clean and he could have easily missed it.
November 13th, 2009 at 3:51 pm
Haha, the link above for the Damon Jones dunk is priceless. The dunk itself is great, but Shaq’s narration about Damon getting posterized at the end of the dunk made it that much better.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:13 pm
If he follows through with it – and I have no reason to believe he won’t – this year’s dunk contest with LeBron participating could be very special.
And count me as another vote for the dunk over KG. The commentary and atmosphere of the moment make it the best.
November 13th, 2009 at 4:46 pm
Wade’s dunk was nothing special but it did show disrespect for Andy when he walked over him while Andy was on the floor. James also showed disrespect for his team by making something out of nothing and praising Ward while he was showing up a teammate. Let him go to NY.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Sorry Paul, but that is blatant homerism saying Wade’s dunk “was nothing special.” That dunk was absolutely sick, and it looked even better because AV got absolutely ragdolled.
But I do agree with the stepping-over by Wade. Pretty bush-league, and I don’t really blame AV for being pissed about that.
November 13th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
I would go in the following order.
1. Rasheed
2. KG
3. Duncan
4. Amon Ones
5. Delonte
Rasheed’s dunk meant the most considering we won the ECF. KG’s may have been the most electrifying. The one on Amon Ones reminded me of D-Wade’s last night.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:29 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDZSWbaP3FE
Dunking on KG and Timmay were for sure the best, but the full extension ally oop is just insane.
November 13th, 2009 at 6:30 pm
#19 is obviously a Knick fan. Let him be.
For the rest: decide for yourself….good collection:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-9TAoPPgKQ&feature=related
Includes the TD, Delonte, Sheed and Damon dunks along with #8 (absolute sick fingertip alley-oop) and #6 (double-clutch in traffic) that I love.
November 13th, 2009 at 8:08 pm
I will add the one dunk that seems to always get left out…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJB2e9AkKO8
November 13th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
You have to go with the “No regard for human life” dunk simply because of the audio. It’s untouchable. The best dunk commentary ever.
November 13th, 2009 at 9:26 pm
This leaves me to wonder…do these guys come up with these lines ahead of time and wait for a situation to use them? I think they must. McLeod’s “That basketball will never be the same,” sounds particularly scripted.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I was at the Q for the KG dunk. It was the loudest i have ever heard that building get, and my friend took an errant celebratory elbow to the mouth resulting in a swollen lip. That is my favorite. The one I remember that hasn’t been mentioned is when Lebron had a breakaway against the Sonics and Luke Ridnour literally ducked and covered instead of attempting to challenge the dunk. Not as good as the other ones but it always made me laugh. Can’t find it anywhere though.
Also, love Fred, but I miss Michael Reghi.
November 13th, 2009 at 10:11 pm
It’s not my favorite, but I think it deserves mention. Lebron’s dunk to tie the game in regulation against the Pistons in his immortal game 5 performance in the palace is up there for me. Just the shear will and power he displayed on that dunk is unreal. He actually had to duck outta the way of the rim. What I wouldn’t give for that ability for just one full day of pick up ball…
November 13th, 2009 at 10:13 pm
The “No Regard for Human Life” line was used by that commentator many times while he was commentating for the Timberwolves. I think his name is Kevin Harland.
Anyways, what’s ironic is that Harland used that line many times to describe KG’s monster dunks in Minnesota. Hah
November 13th, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I didn’t know that omnikaush. Thanks for that tidbit.