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5 best big men in NBA Slam Dunk Contest history

By Amaar Burton

NBA Slam Dunk Contest Dwight Howard (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest Dwight Howard (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) /
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NBA Slam Dunk Contest Larry Nance
NBA Slam Dunk Contest Larry Nance (Original Caption) USA: Larry Nance, Phoenix Suns forward in action. /

5. Larry Nance (1984, 1985)

Respect for the architects and forefathers earns Larry Nance a spot on this list.

Although Nance’s repertoire of dunks would look basic in comparison to some of the things that today’s NBA athletes can do, Nance owns a place in history as the winner of the league’s first All-Star Weekend dunk contest.

The 6’10” power forward was a three-time All-Star and three-time All-Defensive Team pick during a career split between the Phoenix Suns and Cleveland Cavaliers. At the time he entered the inaugural 1984 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, he was averaging about 17 points and eight rebounds per game that season, which would end up being his career averages.

Nance specialized in the cradle dunk, using different variations during a contest in which he had to throw down nine dunks to win the trophy. His two-ball dunk also stood out.

In 2018, Nance’s son, Larry Jr., competed in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a member of the Cavaliers.

For his opening dunk, son imitated father by donning a throwback Suns uniform and re-creating one of Larry Sr.’s cradle dunks. Junior would finish second in the contest to Donovan Mitchell.