Top five NBA Slam Dunk Contests of all time

Based on the field, this year's NBA Slam Dunk Contest might not be the most exciting. However, it does provide the perfect opportunity to revisit the best contests in the event's history since its inception in 1976 and permanent addition to All-Star weekend in 1984.

Here are the top five NBA Slam Dunk Contests of all time:

5. 2008

Winner: Dwight Howard

Howard stole Shaquille O'Neal's "Superman" persona, but his leaping ability made him better suited for it. Even though Howard didn't touch the rim on his best dunk, he soared above it. He launched the ball with immense power into the basket after taking off from inside the free-throw line.

Then-defending champion Gerald Green also had one of the more memorable dunks in contest history when he blew out a candle on a cupcake he placed on the rim.

4. 1986

Winner: Spud Webb

The shortest dunk contest winner, the 5-foot-7 Webb took down his teammate Dominique Wilkins in the finals. His victory surprised many, including Wilikins, who claims he never saw Webb attempt to dunk before the contest.

Webb's size made his dunks mesmerizing to watch, but they would've been impressive for any competitor regardless of height. He made his best dunk by bouncing the ball off the ground as he rose, caught it and then threw down a clean reverse slam.

3. 1988

Winner: Michael Jordan

The greatest player to compete in the contest proved that the "Air Jordan" namesake was more than fitting as he performed in front of his home crowd. In a rematch of the 1985 contest, Jordan also defeated Wilkins in his final matchup as he paid homage to Julius Erving with his final attempt.

Needing a 48 to tie Wilkins or at least 49 to win, Jordan ran the entire court length and took off from the free-throw line to earn a perfect 50.

2. 2000

Winner: Vince Carter

The second-best dunk contest of all time was more of a one-man show than a competition. With a perfectly executed 360 windmill on his first attempt, "Vinsanity" showed the world the event was over before it truly began.

Capping off his night by throwing down his iconic elbow-in-the-rim dunk, Carter established himself as the undisputed G.O.A.T. of dunking. He outdid Steve Francis and his cousin Tracy McGrady in the process.

1. 2016

Winner: Zach LaVine

Aaron Gordon and LaVine delivered a never-to-be-forgotten final round in Toronto in the only contest that deserved to end a tie. With each competitor earning perfect scores after perfect scores, Gordon received an unworthy 47, and LaVine went on to win the event for the second straight year.

Gordon's dunk was the best in the contest, but he didn't save it for the end. With an assist from Stuff the Magic Dragon, Gordon defied gravity by jumping over his team's mascot, grabbed the ball under his legs and finished with a left-handed windmill.

The loss was the first of two dunk contests that Gordon controversially lost.

The 2023 NBA Slam Dunk Contest is the final event on All-Star Saturday Night, beginning at 8 p.m. ET.