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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21. Dominique Wilkins def. Larry Bird

As far as individual rivalries go, there are very few better in NBA history than the on-court feud between Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins. That duo went to war during the 1980s, trading all-time great scoring exploits, and going at each other with raw physicality.

Thus, the circumstances surrounding this dunk inevitably improve the quality of the poster Wilkins puts Bird on.

Wilkins is commonly regarded as one of the top five in-game dunk artists in NBA history, and this is a shining example of why. He destroyed the rim with a dunk that would’ve been sensational without the 6’9″ Bird running in to attempt a block.

The fact that he put his bitter rival on a poster makes this dunk both memorable and a key point in their on-court feud with one another.

Wilkins, endearingly known as The Human Highlight Film, led the Atlanta Hawks into three different postseason series against Bird and the Boston Celtics. Boston won all three, but these two legends went to war for some of the greatest games ever.

Bird’s team may have won the rivalry, but plays like this are an example of how Wilkins could strike at any given moment.

Next: Vintage D-Wade