E.J.Harris (Transfer Guard) votes for Jameel Pugh

Editor’s Note: Harris has played alongside Jameel Pugh since their high school days in AAU ball.

Argue about the finesse of Jordan, the power of Wilkins and the style of Carter all you like; but your theories do not have a leg to stand on in the argument of who is the greatest dunker in the world.

Jameel Pugh is one of the most refined dunkers in the game; the elevation he gets could make the climbers of Mt. Everest shed a tear.

He can take off with two feet from the free throw line and slam it down with some authority. He was perfecting dunks in high school that Isiah Rider was attempting in the pros.

He is rumored to still owe Grant High School a backboard from his days of perfecting dunks. And yes, there is that image of him with his arm elbow-deep in the rim.

If you thought David Blaine’s levitation was a miracle, you haven’t seen Pugh catch my half-court lobs. And that is why I can proclaim Jameel Pugh as the greatest dunker of all time.

Jimmy Spencer (Sports Columnist) votes for Michael Jordan

Leaving reality at the free-throw line, his legs are extended far out from under his body, his tongue hanging out of his mouth and his right arm extended, palming the basketball.

Michael “Air” Jordan, the greatest player of all-time, was also the greatest dunker. Jordan won back-to-back Slam Dunk Championships (1987-1988).

More than just his gravity-defying slams, Jordan created a distinctive but intangible quality that put the slam dunk at the forefront of the basketball world. Jordan’s aura alone far outweighs any double-pump reverse, blindfolded, 360 degree, between the legs jam that any of today’s athletes pull off.

Jordan took the torch from Dr. J and has since passed it on to his heir to the Air, Vince Carter. But neither of these men captivated an audience, and immortalized the dunk the way Jordan did.

Jordan commercialized the dunk and has given way to the future of slam dunking stars. For that reason alone, Jordan is my all-time slam dunk champion.

James Burns(Sports Columnist) votes for Dominique Wilkins

Jordan this, Vince that. When it came to dunking there was no one better than The Human Highlight Reel, the Atlanta Hawks’ Dominique Wilkins.

Wilkins starred during All-Star weekends in the 1980’s, when the art of dunking in all its forms was born. He is the reason why today’s dunkers lack originality and why dunk competitions need props and hype men to score points — there simply wasn’t much left after Wilkins was through.

Wilkins’ windmills, double-pump reverses and long tomahawk jams are the staple for every high-rising act of the 1990’s. No one combines finesse and power like Wilkins did — not Jordan, not. Dr. J.

Wilkins, a 6-foot-8 human spring, is the game’s greatest all-time dunker because no one has ever given it as much thought or time. While Jordan had buzzer-beaters to hit, Wilkins was busy dunking. On a drowning franchise, there wasn’t much else to do.

Why do you think teammate Spud Webb is also considered one of the game’s greatest dunkers?

Nicholas Lozito (Sports Editor) votes for Vince Carter

Jordan had the grace. Wilkins had the power. Pugh has the future. But Vince Carter has the complete package.

And if a 360 degree spin, windmill slam isn’t enough to make you slowly nod your head in agreement and amazement, I don’t know what will. If dunking over a 7-foot-2 French center in the Olympic Games doesn’t tickle your fancy, then maybe your perception of height was diluted at birth.

Maybe you’re caught up in the legends of Mike and ‘Nique. Maybe you’re going out of your way to go with the hometown boy in Jameel. Maybe you just need to stop teasing yourself with second-rate acts and step into the world of Vincanity. I have.

The world’s greatest dunker wears a purple jersey and his love for the game is questioned. But In the dunking world of today, pretty boys with heart need not apply.

Nobody wants grace. Nobody really cares about distance. Everybody wants someone who will dunk over his own mother and then wag his finger in her face. And everybody wants Vince.

Photo Sources:

Pugh photo from Associated Press

Carter photo from NBA.com

Wilkins photo from humanhighlightreel.com

Jordan photo from NBA.com