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2015 With the festivities split between Madison Square Garden and the newly erected Barclays Center the Big Apple, Orlando’s Victor Oladipo decided to grace his introduction with a soulful rendition of “New York, New York.” Though probably a better singer than the average NBA player, Oladipo probably would’ve looked pretty silly had he not backed it up with some serious slams. Thankfully, he did. A full-rotation spin dunk is nothing new in the contest, but Oladipo showed why it’ll never go out of style as he passes beneath the rim. He nearly overshot his jump, and even had to confirm he’d made it. But honestly, he could’ve fooled us. Mr. 360˚, indeed.

1994 One could argue that playing in front of his home crowd in Minneapolis gave Timberwolf Isaiah Rider something of an advantage as he cruised to a Dunk Contest win, but how can you watch this masterstroke and not recognize it as pure skill? After meticulously setting up his route, Rider took off for the hoop and made an incredible display of aerodynamic ball control. Transitioning the ball between his legs mid-jump, Rider followed through with a beautifully fluid yet savage swing of his arm to bury it. Even Charles Barkley had to recognize the majesty of the dunk.

2011 Remember those Blake Griffin Kia commercials that were everywhere in the early 2010s? Well, apparently his sponsorship deal extended to the Dunk Contest in 2011 when one of the manufacturer’s sedans was parked in front of the basket for his dunk. Intercepting a sunroof pass from Clippers teammate Baron Davis, Griffin slammed it down with force. Though the mechanics of the dunk aren’t revolutionary, Griffin proved it’s sometimes the theatrics that put you over the top, literally in this case. Granted, there was some controversy, as some claimed the NBA had predetermined rising star Blake Griffin to be the winner over a more deserving participant whom we’ll be seeing very soon.

#17: Kobe Bryant

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1997 If you thought Isaiah Rider’s between-the-legs dunk was impressive, wait until you get a look at the Black Mamba’s. Even in his rookie season, Kobe Bryant was proving why he’d ultimately go down as one of the best to play the game, but perhaps his greatest feat of showmanship came in the 1997 Dunk Contest. After advancing to the final round, Bryant showed why he deserved the crown more than anyone else, swiftly hammering home a dunk for the ages. The look of swagger on Kobe’s face afterwards is palpable, yet totally deserved, as he’d net a near-perfect score of 49 before becoming the youngest winner at just eighteen.

#16: Dee Brown

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1991 There have been plenty of behind-the-back dunks, through-the-legs dunks, and 360˚ dunks, but have you ever seen a blindfolded dunk? Okay, so Dee Brown wasn’t literally blindfolded, but he did have the confidence to cover his eyes on the way to the rim. Brown of the Celtics had been having a stellar dunk contest up to this point, the clear winner. And boy did he think up an original way to cap off the night, crossing one arm over his face as he slammed the ball home with the other. You know, this dunk came about two decades before dabbing was a thing, but based on Brown’s bravado, you may as well presume he invented the gesture.

2011 The player whom many believe should’ve been crowned victorious over Blake Griffin, JaVale McGee then of the Wizards may not be a household name, but those who do know him know the rim is in danger whenever he’s around. In this case, two rims were in danger as McGee managed to slam down two at the same time. A double-dunk is impressive enough, but the fact that McGee had the dexterity and wherewithal to also lob one of the balls off the backboard to himself beforehand gives an added layer of awesomeness. Sure, an over-the-car dunk is flashier, but this one makes us never want to play McGee in a game of horse.

2006 It took Andre Iguodala a few tries to pull off his most impressive dunks in the 2006 iteration, but once he nailed them, they were well worth the wait. As innovative as a behind-the-backboard dunk is, Iggy showed the best was yet to come. The future Finals MVP began this attempt simply, setting up a generous bounce as he flew in from the free throw line. However, it wasn’t until he transitioned the ball behind his back and arced it over his head that we saw the genius of what he was doing. Iguodala too would lose this bout in a controversial decision, and we can definitely see how deserving he was.

1991 Shawn Kemp of the Seattle SuperSonics had a plethora of impressive dunks in the 1991 contest, showing he could slam it home every time on a series of lobbed bounce passes. However, his best basket of the night came when he retained possession throughout. In an oldie but a goodie, Kemp took flight from just beyond the free throw line, gliding his way to the hoop with precision and grace. The velocity alone makes this a dunk we love to rewatch, but notice the angles Kemp gets on both his arms and legs, earning a slew of showmanship points. However, when it comes to dunks from the free throw line, there’s really only one name you can bring up, as we will be later on.

#12: Julius Erving

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1976 In the ABA event that introduced the first ever 360-degree jam, Dr. J emerged as both the winner and ultimate innovator. Today, the free throw line dunk has become a classic, mostly due to Air Jordan and his legacy of aerial techniques. But Julius Erving did it first, and he did it well – complete with a little ‘70s flair. These days, it may not seem like a big deal given the athleticism and training of modern athletes. But Dr. J was already a legend back then, and his display of dunk artistry defied expectations, establishing a new bar for excellence.

2011 Mid-way through his second NBA season, a twenty-one-year-old DeMar DeRozan had already established himself as a legitimate scorer and potential superstar. Then, he gave NBA fanatics “The Show Stopper,” a dunk that would immediately establish his legacy at NBA All-Star Weekend. Four years before Zach LaVine delivered the Space Jam dunk, which we’ll get to later, DeRozan took the same positional route but executed a reverse windmill, showing off his airtime and navigation skills around the rim. It’s more of a poetic slam compared to your traditional hammer, but it took the contest in a brand new direction.

2008 Forget a car; one of the best props ever utilized in the dunk contest has to be the cupcake utilized by Gerald Green in 2008. No, he didn’t dunk over it, as that would hardly be impressive. But, what he did do was have it positioned at the back of the rim with a lit candle on top. Commentators knew ahead of time he’d be trying to blow it out mid-dunk, but that didn’t mitigate their amazement when he actually pulled it off. Not only did Green extinguish the flame, but his dunk was equally impressive as he used the full extension of his arms to retrieve the ball and throw it down. Green didn’t defend his title, but that’s understandable considering a later entry.

1986 In his native Dallas, a 5’7” Spud Webb took on his own teammate – and perhaps the decade’s most brilliant dunker – Dominique Wilkins. At the time, Wilkins had reportedly never seen Webb dunk, and Spud undoubtedly gave him a moment to remember. Just the bounce itself is something else, and Webb’s follow-through ensured the top prize and a lasting legacy within the competition itself. Looking back, his high-flying backhand dunk is still quite amazing, but the context behind the dunk makes it even more remarkable.

1985 After finishing third in the 1984 slam dunk contest, The Human Highlight Film returned the following year for an epic finale versus a young Michael Jordan. In the final round, Dominique Wilkins kicked things off with a powerful backhand two-hand, a dunk combining all the necessary elements to outdo someone like MJ. It’s a video game type of slam that doesn’t seem possible in real life, but ‘80s footage of him playing proves that Wilkins could mirror his classic NBA All-Star Weekend slams in live games. He’s the definition of gravity-defying grace on the court, and Dom brought the goods in 1988, too – albeit in a losing effort.

2009 After Dwight Howard won the contest in 2008 wearing Superman paraphernalia, Nate Robinson arrived in 2009 wearing a green Knicks jersey, branding himself “Krypto-Nate.” Again sporting a Superman cape, Howard proved to be a good sport, allowing Krypto-Nate to vault over him on the way to the rim. As commentators pointed out, Robinson did get a little extra lift off Howard’s shoulders, but considering the former is a relatively short 5’9” and the latter a towering 6’11”, we’re impressed all the same. Coupled with the theme of the two players, this dunk made for an instantly recognizable and iconic shot. Robinson went on to win the contest for the second of his record three titles.

#6: Jason Richardson

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2004 As one of a handful of players to win back-to-back slam dunk contests, Jason Richardson is often cited during NBA All-Star Weekend. And with good reason, too, as his updated version of the “East Bay Funk” dunk highlights his unconventional full extension. In other words, Jason Richardson’s off-the-back approach wasn’t anything new, but the energy and urgency of the slam beautifully contrasts the organic feel of his technique. Everything comes together naturally, and the then-Golden State Warrior closes out like he’s been there many times before.

2008 Throughout his career, this man has dominated the boards. But despite his massive presence, Dwight Howard has relied on a mixture of strength and creativity to outshine his opponents – at least in the Slam Dunk Contest. Back in 2008, Howard changed the game by taking a different approach toward the rim. For a split second, the jam seems impossible once Howard begins his final motion, but his wingspan allows for something truly special. He makes it look easy, too, as there’s nothing sloppy or awkward about his form or execution. Dwight’s become known for his personality over the years, but this dunk reminds us of his core skill set and exceptional athleticism.

2015 In his NBA All-Star Weekend debut, Minnesota’s nineteen-year-old guard brought some new flavor to the competition. With his first round slam, Zach LaVine had a bit of measuring to do, and the timing was indeed crucial. Lifting off just outside the paint, LaVine takes the ball under his leg and hammers it down with precision and polish. The “Space Jam Dunk” shows off LaVine’s creativity – and given he was still a rookie at the time, it highlights his explosive athleticism. In the end, LaVine took home top honors and successfully defended his throne the following year.

2016 Though he lost the competition to Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon’s collection of high-flying dunks helped make for perhaps the best contest in years. In years past, these ballers would get assistance from teammates. But in 2016, Gordon brought out Stuff the Magic Dragon for a most challenging slam dunk. As far as timing, he doesn’t need to worry about a precision bounce – well, at least in terms of the ball itself. What does need careful attention, however, is Gordon’s bounce over the mascot, and he manages to avoid embarrassment while sealing the deal with both hands.

1988 Arguably the greatest player in NBA history, Michael Jordan is also regarded as one of the game’s most influential dunkers. In 1988, he touched on the past to produce one of his most iconic slams: an aerial flight that would become an inspiration for ballers across the globe. Facing off against Dominique Wilkins, Air Jordan had the top-notch competition he so famously craved, and his soaring conclusion shows off all the traits that made him an international superstar: reach, personality and technique. It’s not just a classic Slam Dunk Contest moment, but one of the most timeless Chicago moments from Michael Jordan’s Hall of Fame career.

#1: Vince Carter

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2000 When this Toronto Raptor made his Slam Dunk Contest debut, the NBA family expected big results. By this time, Vince Carter had quickly evolved into a top-notch player, and his acrobatic in-game dunks would naturally become even more mystical with no defenders around. But Vince didn’t just show off in 2000 – he clowned the competition, and his elbow dunk literally left his peers speechless. He also put down a 360-degree windmill in the same competition – even bringing out cousin and then-teammate Tracy McGrady – but it’s the elbow jam that remains his most dynamic slam dunk.