Top 5 Best Backboard-Breaking Dunks in NBA History

Basketball is marked by it's memorable plays like buzzer beaters, incredible cross-ups, layups, and dunks. While the NBA emphasizes the latter aspect of the game heavily during its All-Star Weekend, which includes a Slam Dunk Contest, there is no better dunk than an actual, dominant one that comes spontaneously during a game.

The natural nature of in-game dunks distinguishes them from contest dunks. Sure, contest dunks are intricate contraptions set up to lure the crowd, generally using dramatic flairs to score points - picture jumping over the car or Shaquille O'Neal. 

Fans applaud and cheer like they have won the lottery as pieces of glass from the broken backboard rain down on the paint. An amazing, high-flying slam is only topped by a play that completely destroys the hoop.

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In this view let us check some of the most thrilling ever backboard-smashing dunks in history:

1. Darryl Dawkins:

One of the first players to regularly smash backboards was Darryl Dawkins. When he damaged two backboards in three weeks, the NBA decided to convert to breakaway rims in 1979 because of him. His dunks were powered by an absurd amount of force and incredible agility. His dunks were full of elegance and style, as well as power and airtime. Throughout his whole playing career, Dawkins was a trailblazer as the first player ever to be selected directly out of high school. His dunking legacy will always have a significant effect on the sport. 

4. Jason Richardson:

His dunks were not only incredibly stylish, but they were also frequently quite tough and one-of-a-kind. Richardson has won two dunk contests, so he's no stranger to amazing dunks, but none have topped the one he executed in the 2003 Dunk Contest. He decided to construct a previously uncreated dunk for his final one. One of the greatest dunks in contest history, it's been called the "J-Rich" dunk.

3. LeBron James: 

LeBron James has solidified his position as one of the greatest basketball players of all time, if not the greatest player ever. Dunking has been a major part of this illustrious career, and with 1,943 career dunks under his belt, there is a historically huge sample size to assess his dunking prowess. Few players in history could float as high as LeBron. While he can jump from two feet, his speciality is jumping off one foot.

2. Julius Erving:

Julius "Dr J" Erving brought humor to the NBA. He could effortlessly make a challenging layup. He soon earned the title of "Father of Dunking" thanks to his dunks. He paved the path for players like Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Dominique Aldridge as one of the first stars in the NBA to play exclusively above the rim. His "Rock the Baby" slam over Michael Cooper stands as one of the most iconic dunks ever.

1. Michael Jordan

Regarding Michael Jordan, not much has to be said that hasn't already been stated. He became an expert in almost every facet of basketball, but his speciality was the dunk. By mastering the technique of dunking on anything and everyone, Michael was the athlete who single-handedly turned basketball into an international sport. During All-Star Weekend, he consistently attracted large crowds and delighted the fans by impressively winning many dunk contests.