Hoops Habit
Fansided

25 Greatest Poster Dunks in NBA History

By Maxwell Ogden

ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 05: NBA Legend Julius Erving hugs Dominique Wilkins as the Atlanta Hawks honor Wilkins in the unveiling of a statue in his name at Philips Arena on March 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Bazemore-Pool/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MARCH 05: NBA Legend Julius Erving hugs Dominique Wilkins as the Atlanta Hawks honor Wilkins in the unveiling of a statue in his name at Philips Arena on March 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by John Bazemore-Pool/Getty Images) /
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17. Don’t Challenge MJ

The worst possible thing a player could do during the late 1980s and 1990s was challenge Michael Jordan to attempt something he’d never done before. Jordan was the type of rabid competitor who would take that to heart, pick his spot, and silence his skeptical peer.

Dikembe Mutombo, one of the greatest rim protectors of all-time, found that out when he told Jordan that he’d never dunked on him before.

Jordan’s competitive spirit has been revered amongst sports fans and those who know nothing more than how hard the man worked. He embraced every obstacle placed in his path, and carved out a legacy as the greatest player to ever grace the game.

The Mutombo dunk and story may be rather inconsequential in the grand scheme of things, but it’s the epitome of what made Jordan who he is.

Mutombo, a four-time Defensive Player of the Year and three-time blocks leader, likely blocked a shot from every player he consistently played against. Thus, when Jordan drove the lane and attempted to climb Mount Mutombo, no one knew what to expect.

The end result of this monumental encounter was Jordan putting one of the greatest rim protectors in NBA history on an iconic poster.

Next: Dunkin' on Duncan