New York Knicks: 5 best Knicks dunks in the Dunk Contest

PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks celebrates after winning the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images) /

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Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images /

1. Nate Robinson, 2009

No, this photo has not been edited via Photoshop. It is just how Nate Robinson used to jump back in his New York Knicks days. And this dunk might be the best one after all.

After taking a short break in 2008, Robinson came back to try his luck in the newly shaped dunk contest, that would have fans vote in the final round instead. What followed was yet another victory for the 5’9” guard in a thriller against an athletic big man.

In a duel against a prime Dwight Howard, Robinson actually barely managed to reach the final round, as his first two dunks were graded 46 and 41 respectively. With a total score of 87 points, Robinson barely bested J.R. Smith and Rudy Fernandez for a spot in the final round.

Dwight was coming off two perfect 50s and had set his eyes on the prize as everybody thought that a center would win the award for a change. Little did he know that little Nate had more tricks up his sleeve.

To be fair, is there a better way to best your opponent than to dunk over him in the final round of the dunk contest, as every voice screams of excitement in a packed stadium in Phoenix? Certainly not when you weigh in the height difference.

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In a very tight contest and arguably one of the best we’ve ever seen, Robinson received 52 percent of the votes and got crowned slam dunk champion for the second time in his career. He would later return next season, to complete his trifecta.

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