Top 10 Craziest Fights In NBA History
#10: Baron Davis on Andrei Kirilenko
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It’s been a while since the Golden State Warriors were underdogs in the playoffs. But that was the case back in 2007 during their round 2 series against the Utah Jazz. In game 3, down 0-2, point guard Baron Davis gave dub nation something to cheer for when he slammed home this vicious dunk against Andrei Kirilenko. Sure, Kirilenko had six inches on Davis, but that wasn’t going to stop him. Although the Warriors went on to lose the series 4-1, Davis gave his team a brief spark in the most grandiose way possible.
#9: McGrady Sucks the Gravity
People sometimes forget how good Tracy McGrady was. Although he never won a championship, he’s a 7 time all star and 2 time scoring champion. Accolades aside though, T-Mac knew how to throw it down. The most memorable instance occurred during a 2005 playoff game against the Dallas Mavericks when he went baseline and posterized all 7 feet 6 inches of Shawn Bradley. While both the dunk and the call were memorable, what many forget is that McGrady also hit a last-second, game-winning jumper at the end of that game as well.
#8: Shaq Brings Down the Backboard
Shaquille O'Neal didn’t just scare opposing basketball players. For younger NBA fans who don’t remember a time when big, powerful centers could dominate a game from in the paint, O’Neal was one of the best to ever do it. And fans witnessed that power early on in his hall of fame career with this dunk from his rookie season. Shattering the backboard is one thing, but bringing down the entire structure is another. And the crazy part was that it wasn’t the first time he had done it that season.
#7: LeBron James on Jason Terry
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This was definitely a nice dunk. But this one made the list as much for the slam as for the silent stare down that LeBron laid on a flat-on-his-back Jason Terry afterwards. And let’s not forget the steal and no-look pass from Wade that starts it off. But keep in mind, this wasn’t the first time a no-look from Dwayne led to a James slam either. And we aren’t the only ones who love this dunk. King James himself ranked it among his best as well.
#6: Dominique Wilkins Double Pump
Dominique Wilkins slammed down some of the most powerful dunks in the history of the NBA throughout his career. However, the one which often sticks out to most fans was this beauty back in 1984. Even with 3 players covering him, Nique is still able to get to the basket, pull off the double pump move and score. He wasn’t called “the human highlight reel” for nothing...
#5: Vince Carter Reverse 2-Hander
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Many have labelled Vince Carter as the greatest dunker of all time. And it’s hard to disagree. From this: To this: And even this: You’d be hard pressed to find a Vince Carter dunk NOT to add in a highlight reel. And we’re not even taking into account “The Dunk of Death” at the Olympics or his historic performance during the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. Simply put, Carter could jam it home against anyone and look great doing it. And this reverse 2-hander dunk that Vince threw down during his rookie season was no exception. He put everyone on notice with this one.
#4: Scottie Pippen on Patrick Ewing
One overlooked aspect that made this dunk so memorable was Pippen’s ability to get past Ewing. But sometimes the big men aren’t in position or don’t even get off the ground. But here, Ewing went up to stop him, and Pippen wasn’t having it! ” Like many of the dunks on this list, the moment is famous for both the slam itself and the aftermath. In this case, Pippen doesn’t just stare down Ewing, he literally walks over him while he does it. And he wasn’t done yet. He also had some choice words for famous Knick fan, Spike Lee.
#3: Shawn Kemp’s Lister Blister
We all love a good revenge story. Especially when it involves an iconic dunk. In Game 2 of the 1992 playoff series between the Supersonics and Warriors, Alton Lister did an excellent job defending power forward Shawn Kemp. Frustrated by Lister’s constant pressure, Kemp lost his temper against Lister and punches were thrown. Game 4 however, was an entirely different affair. Not only did Kemp dominate the game, but he wanted to rub it in Lister’s face. And what better way to do that than by dunking on him? Lesson learned: don’t mess with Sean Kemp or else you’ll get posterized in grand fashion.
#2: Michael Jordan on Patrick Ewing
Poor Patrick Ewing. The Hall of Famer has made our list twice, but both times he has been the one being dunked on rather than the one doing the dunking. And again he finds himself being victimized once again by a Chicago Bull great. This time it’s Air Jordan himself who beautifully gets around both John Starks and Charles Oakley on the baseline and then throws it down on Ewing. And to add insult to injury, Patrick was also called for a foul on the play. In a career filled with plenty of famous dunks, this baseline move and finish at the rim might be Jordan’s most famous. And, according to Sports Illustrated, Jordan himself even calls it his “most memorable dunk.” Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Dwayne Wade Dunks on Anderson Varejao Wade Is 6’4”, Varejao Is 6’11”, Welcome to Your Kodak Moment Anderson Blake Griffin on Kendrick Perkins Griffin Was a Dunking Highlight Machine for Years in Los Angeles Tom Chambers On Mark Jackson Mark Jackson’s Chin, Meet Tom Chambers’ Knee DeAndre Jordan on Brandon Knight It’s No Wonder This Dunk Went Viral Kobe Behind-the-Back, 360 Dunk It Starts With a Great Full Court Pass, Then Ends With Kobe Doing What He Does Best
#1: Dr. J “Rocks the Baby”
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Few players in the entire history of the NBA have been as smooth as Julius Erving. His behind the backboard layup is still one of, if not the most, iconic shot of all time. The doctor was pure grace in the air and elevated the dunk beyond just another basketball shot. And maybe no dunk speaks to this better than the “rock the baby” slam he laid down against the Los Angeles Lakers in 1983. Sure the game itself was exciting and Erving’s Sixers won, but it’s Erving’s fluid and effortless motion while delivering this iconic dunk that will forever be etched in basketball fans’ memories.
