The slam dunk is arguably the most exciting play in the game of basketball. It gets fans out of their seats and can change the momentum of the game or put an end to a scoring drought.
The Miami Heat franchise has been fortunate enough to be blessed with some of the highest flyers the NBA has ever seen.
The criteria for the top ten greatest dunkers is based on creativity, height, jumping ability, power and style for the most part. I also based it on the amount of playing time or seasons a player spent in a Heat uniform.
Some players who were considered great dunkers before their arrival to Miami did not make the list as they joined on the tail end of their careers. These players consisted of former dunk champions as well as former dunk contest participants. There were also some players who did not get enough playing time to show off their aerial talents. So with that being said, let’s take a look at the top ten, shall we?
10. Tim James
Although he only suited up for one season (99-00) in Miami, this local standout starts the list off at number ten. The former Miami Northwestern High School star and University of Miami alum can easily be considered one of the most athletic Heat players to don the black and red. He competed in the high-jump during his days at Northwestern and UM. After his stint with the Heat, he later served in Iraq after enlisting in the U.S. Army.
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9. James Ennis
This Miami Heat rookie has already dazzled fans with some of his monstrous jams. The highlight of his season so far was a dunk on a fastbreak where he took off and posterized Washington Wizards’ Rasual Butler. Ennis still has a lot of room for improvement but there’s undoubtedly more hops left in his tank.
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8. Ricky Davis
Davis had two stints in Miami (2000-01, 2007-08) and was a gifted athlete who had unlimited potential, but had a reputation for being selfish and problematic. That didn’t deter him from entertaining fans with his windmill dunks though.
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7. Chris Andersen
The “Birdman” was once a dunk contest participant in 2005. He has spread his wings and has been the beneficiary of several lobs thrown his way, finishing with emphatic force. Andersen can always be counted on for delivering an energetic spark off the bench, despite being in the latter stages of his career.
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6. Alonzo Mourning
The Heat’s heart and soul during the highly competitive 90’s era was known to deliver some ferocious throwdowns over opposing players. Mourning was not really a high flyer but the power and intensity in which he dunked was intimidating even for a fan. “Zo’s” trademark bicep flex after jams gains him some style points.
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5. Mark Strickland
Nicknamed “Pogo Man” for his outrageously quick hops and second jump, Strickland had a unique knack for getting to the apex of his jumping faster than most players. If you were not a Heat fan yet during his tenure in Miami (1996-2000), look him up.
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4. Eddie Jones
“EJ” served two terms with the Heat (2000-05, 2007) with his first getting him on this list. “EJ” had a gliding effect to his jams reminiscent to that of Clyde Drexler. Jones would take off from a distance and just when you thought he was going to lay it up, he’d finish with a dunk.
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3. Dwayne Wade
No Heat list would be complete without “D-Wade.” Nicknamed “Flash” earlier in his career due to his unbelievable speed from one end of the floor to the next, Wade was one of the most electrifying dunkers in his prime. He was also part of a duo, which included LeBron James on fastbreaks, that seemed so acrobatic you’d think they belonged with the Heat’s “Xtreme” Team.
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2. Harold Miner
Nicknamed “Baby Jordan,” Miner is one of only five players to have won the dunk contest (1993, 1995) two (or more) times. He joins a list that includes Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Jason Richardson and Nate Robinson. Miner was unable to meet his high expectations as a Heat player but he did leave behind some jaw dropping slams never to be forgotten.
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1. LeBron James
Even though he broke the hearts of many die hard Heat fans this summer, “King James” tops the list as the greatest dunker of the franchise. Whether it be the numerous steals leading to vicious breakaway dunks or being the high-flying recipient of alley-oop passes, James left an everlasting highlight reel of material for the next generation of Heat Nationers.
Let’s not forget his signature dunk where he cocked the ball back and finished with a thunderous tomahawk throwdown, at times leaving his head nearly equal height with the rim. LBJ is one of the few to ever have all the physical gifts (jumping ability, explosion, power, style) to incorporate jams usually only seen in video games. I think Jason Terry can attest to that. Sorry “Jet.”
Honorable Mentions
This list includes former dunk champions, dunk contestants or high flyers who joined the Heat on the downside of their careers or did not play enough during their short stints in Miami.
Cedric Ceballos – 1992 Slam Dunk Champion. Played with the Heat from 2000-01.
Brent Barry – 1996 Slam Dunk Champion. Played with the Heat in 1998.
Shaquille O’Neal – Possibly the most intimidating dunker of all-time. Played with the Heat from 2004-2008.
Jamario Moon – Slam Dunk Contest participant in 2008. Played very briefly with the Heat in 2009.
Shannon Brown – Slam Dunk Contest participant in 2010. Played briefly with the Heat this season.
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