5 best dunkers in NBA 2K22

With NBA 2K22 set to be released on September 10th, 2021, fans are excited for the new rosters and fresh ratings. We have no NBA action till October 3rd, so everyone is doubling down on the NBA 2K22 ratings. 2

K Sports got several stars to react to their new ratings and has generated hype in doing so. Players like Kevin Durant, Jayson Tatum, LeBron James and even WNBA star Candace Parker have weighed in on the new player ratings.

Got to speak with the incredible @Candace_Parker about her @NBA2K and she wants a 99!!!What do you think about her rating now? ⬆️ or ⬇️? pic.twitter.com/tcl9mluXMH

— Ronnie 2K 2K22 (@Ronnie2K) August 19, 2021

Undoubtedly, the two most hyped aspects of the game are dunking and three-point shooting. Before Stephen Curry showed up and revolutionized the game with his long-distance marksmanship, the biggest attraction were dunks.

Kids in parks didn't shoot threes, but tried to stick their tongues out and rack the rim. However, for the rest of us who aren't genetically gifted, NBA 2K is the way to walk in the shoes of Michael Jordan or Vince Carter.

The biggest shock in this season's NBA 2K22 dunk ratings was the absence of Donovan Mitchell. Spida was the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest champion, and had a 96 dunk rating in NBA 2K20. How he went from a 96-rated dunker in 2020 to not even make the top 5 in 2022 is flabbergasting. On that note, here's a look at the five best dunkers in NBA 2K22:

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#5 Ja Morant - 94

Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies in NBA 2K20 [Source: VGR]

Ja Morant's dunks (and even his failed attempts) have been making highlights since his rookie year. He is a high flyer who reminds everyone of a young Russell Westbrook or Derrick Rose, someone who isn't afraid of big man in front of him and will try the wildest of posters.

Amusingly, 2K Sports has released Morant's dunk rating, but not his overall one, which has left fans perplexed. Memphis Grizzlies reporter, Evan Barnes has tweeted:

"2K hasn’t dropped Ja Morant’s full rating but his dunk rating? To quote Goodie Mob...“Sky high…..sky high"

👀 JA MORANT tried to recreate Vince Carter’s Olympic Dunk with Kevin Love!! pic.twitter.com/MMkuwGgd1Y

— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 21, 2019

Ja Morant has a driving dunk rating of 94 and a standing dunk rating of 25. Along with six other attributes, his inside-scoring rating stands at 60.

He is 6' 3" tall, and has a fabulous 42" vertical.

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#4 Derrick Jones Jr. - 94

Derrick Jones Jr. with the Miami Heat in NBA 2K20 [Source: 2K Specialist]

Derrick Jones Jr. has been one of the best dunking players in the game. His lean frame and high leaping ability allow him to pull off a variety of moves mid-air.

He won the 2020 Slam Dunk Contest defeating Aaron Gordon by a narrow margin. Standing 6' 5", Jones Jr. claims his vertical to be around 48 inches. Although that seems far fetched and excessive, his highlights could make you think otherwise.

Derrick Jones Jr. had some strong words after defeating Aaron Gordon in the 2020 slam dunk contest. pic.twitter.com/YhNRn8mXml

— ESPN (@espn) February 16, 2020

Unlike Morant, whose standing dunk capabilities are underwhelming, Derrick Jones Jr. brags an 80+ rating in both dunk categories; he has an 85-rated standing dunk and a 94-rated driving dunk.

Along with the other six attributes, his inside scoring is rated 68.

#3 Aaron Gordon - 95

Aaron Gordon with the Orlando Magic in NBA 2K20 [Source: 2K Specialist]

Aaron Gordon is one of the best dunkers in the NBA today, but unfortunately, he has no slam dunk contest awards to show for his slam-dunking prowess.

He holds the record (8) for the most perfect dunks (50 points) in NBA history, more than Michael Jordan, Zach LaVine, Dominique Wilkins or anybody else. Many would agree that he deserved to win the 2020 slam dunk contest over Derrick Jones Jr.

Aaron Gordon really has two of the best Slam Dunk contest dunks ever 👀 pic.twitter.com/pVUElKdlGB

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 16, 2020

Aaron Gordon is so good at hammering it down that he has a 95 rating in both standing and driving dunks.

He has a 79-rated inside scoring, with no attribute less than 60 (except post hook at 58). Gordon's vertical leap, as measured in the 2014 NBA Draft Combine, is 39", but many believe he has improved on it since then. He is the tallest on this list, with a height of 6' 8".

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#2 Zach LaVine - 95

Zach LaVine with the Chicago Bulls in NBA 2K20 [Source: 2K Specialist]

Zach LaVine faced a downgrade in most NBA 2K22 ratings and attributes through no fault of his own. He averaged a career-high 27.4 points per game on an incredible 50/40/84 shooting split last season, and made his first NBA All-Star team.

However, for some reason, 2K Sports thought it was fit to reduce his rating by one point. He ended last season (2K21) with 88, but is rated 87 this year, and more importantly, his dunk rating was 96 in 2K20, but it is 95 now.

Zach finished last season at 88 so we disagree, respectfully. https://t.co/8jmdJo80aI

— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) August 18, 2021

There isn't a doubt in anyone's mind that Zach LaVine is one of the best dunkers in the game. His thunderous rim racks are a sight to behold, and he won the historic 2016 Slam Dunk Contest against Aaron Gordon.

The 6' 5" shooting guard also won the 2015 contest, and is just the fourth player to win back-to-back Slam Dunk contests, joining Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson and Nate Robinson.

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#1 Zion Williamson - 97

Zion Williamson on the Next-Gen cover of NBA 2K21 [Source: 2K Newsroom]

The 21-year-old phenom Zion Williamson, arguably, had the most hype before entering the NBA since LeBron James.

Kevin Durant described the 6' 7" power forward as a once-in-a-generation type athlete, and many have called him a freak of nature. He is entering his third season in the league, and we can expect a slam dunk contest participation from him soon.

Zion Williamson’s 58.5 FG% is the best in NBA history through the first 40 games (500 shots minimum) 😳(via @EliasSports) pic.twitter.com/wCGA2GFCEp

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 30, 2021

Williamson has an overall rating of 89 in NBA 2K22. He has a standing dunk rating of 95 and a driving dunk rating of 97, making him arguably the best dunker in the game. His total inside-scoring rating (87) is the best on this list, with none of his attributes rated under 75.

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