Top NBA 5 players who popularized slashing and dunking in the league

The NBA is home to some of the best slashers and dunk artists to ever play the game. Slashers (usually point guards or forwards) refer to players that break through defenses and drive to the basket when on offense to make near-rim shots. Most slashers tend to have an athletic build, thriving at layups, drop shots, and more importantly dunks.

Few things get the crowd going like the sight of a throw down, and many basketballers take their time to master the craft. Although dunking was part of the game, it wasn't until the mid-nineties that it started getting recorded, so you won’t find the likes of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar on the all-time dunking list.

However, we’ve taken the time to settle the score and rank the most popular slashers and dunkers that have played in the NBA and contributed to the growth of the game.

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5 players in NBA history who made slashing and dunking mainstream

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#5 Julius Erving

Coach Julius Erving of Tri State reacts during the game against the Ball Hogs during BIG3 - Week Six at Credit Union 1 Arena on August 07, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois.

Julius Erving, the former Philadelphia 76ers player comes fifth on our list of smashes who popularized the practice, as there are few players as synonymous to the art as he was. The NBA champion spent the earlier stages of his career breaking dunking records and winning the ABA Dunk Contest Championship in 1976.

The Hall of Famer gained even more popularity from the art after joining the NBA in 1976, as he transferred his craft from the ABA to the NBA, lighting up the league with never-before-seen moves and popularizing the art with his signature "slam" dunk.

Even though the practice had been done by others way before Erving's era, including Jim Pollard, "Jumping" Johnny Green, Connie Hawkins, Gus Johnson and Elgin Baylor, he brought it to the mainstream and made it popular.

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#4 Dominique Wilkins

Chris Bosh #1 of the Miami Heat and the Eastern Conference celebrates with NBA Legend Dominique Wilkins and Swin Cash #32 of the New York Liberty after winning the Degree Shooting Stars Competition as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at Barclays Center on February 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.

Dominique Wilkins was famous for many parts of his game, but nothing more than his love for slashing. The NBA legend scored 26,668 points in the league, notably starring for the Atlanta Hawks in the ’80s. Playing in a time that is considered to be the golden generation of the NBA, the 9-time All-Star carved a name for himself, despite not winning a championship.

In his 15 season-long NBA career, he averaged 24.8 points per game and stands in the top 10 NBA players for points, however, most of his points came from his excellent skill as a slasher.

The “Human Highlight Film” as he was fondly called, due to his exploits at the Dunk contest championship, where he made a name for himself winning two final contests. Wilkins was also an acrobatic dunker and lifted the appreciation of dunking in the league during its initial stages.

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#3 Lebron James

LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers reacts after scoring during the second half against the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center on October 19, 2021 in Los Angeles, California.

LeBron James is one of the foremost names in the modern-day NBA associated with the dunk. A physical and athletic specimen, James has been known for his unstoppable runs to the paint, recording many dunks in his career.

Although the NBA legend has failed to appear in the NBA dunk competition, many greats on this list have done so. His exploits on the rim in the NBA have been key. The 17-time All-Star ranks fourth on all-time dunks made by NBA players and had made 1,948 dunks by the end of the previous season.

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#2 Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan #23 of the Chicago Bulls dunks the ball during the game against the Miami Heat.

There cannot be enough words to describe Michael Jordan’s affinity for dunking. The former Chicago Bulls shooting guard is considered by most to be the greatest basketball player of all time, and it’s no surprise he made this list, as MJ was the undoubted king of the rims in the nineties.

The legend had already won two Slam Dunk contests, defeating Jerome Kersey and Dominique Wilkins in the 1987 and 1988 editions of the slam dunk contest. He was widely regarded as the greatest player in the event’s history, before going on to decimate the NBA in his storied career.

He is believed to have revamped the game of basketball, elevating the sport through his captivating slam dunks. His signature “rock the cradle” dunk created hysteria in the NBA for several years, inspiring younger generations who looked to the legend whilst mastering their craft.

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#1 Vince Carter

Vince Carter #25 of the Dallas Mavericks makes the slam dunk against Marcus Thornton #23 of the Sacramento Kings at American Airlines Center on December 10, 2012 in Dallas, Texas.

Vince Carter is the most notable slasher and dunk artist to ever play in the NBA. The former Toronto Raptors small forward was a whirlwind on the court, his trademark “windmill” dunk as scary as it was, is captivating.

The former shooting guard was blessed with explosive pace at his peak and possessed great physicality, coupled with a mighty leap that gave him a great edge over players when powering himself to the rim.

He has had many notable dunking highlights in his lengthy career, memorably jumping over 7-footer French basketballer, Frederick Weis, in a dunk during the 2000 Olympics.

He was the first player to perform the 360 windmill dunk in the NBA slam dunk contest, a feat that ensured his place as the greatest dunker of all time.