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There's still a lot of basketball to be played in the 2013-14 NBA season, however there hasn't been any shortage of high voltage action on the hardwood. With the season past its midway point, and the All-Star weekend approaching, we take a look back at some of the best poster-worthy dunks we've witnessed so far. And since this is Sneaker Report, we'll also break down what shoe was worn for each memorable slam.
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Honorable Mention: Blake Griffin Mozgov's Kris Humphries
Date: January 8, 2014
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Shoe: Jordan Super.Fly 2
No "Best Of" dunk list would be complete without at least a Blake Griffin mention, so here goes: Griffin's emphatic slam over Boston's Kris Humphries may or may not be considered a dunk since he threw the ball in, but still—hats off to the big man for turning Humphries into this year's Timofey Mozgov.
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Wesley Johnson Reverse Facial on Paul Pierce
Date: November 27, 2013
Opponent: Brooklyn Nets
Shoe: adidas EQT Elevation
Without Kobe Bryant in the lineup, Lakers swingman Wesley Johnson took it upon himself to keep the Mamba spirit alive by doing a nasty sideline reverse facial on Brooklyn's Paul Pierce. Not only did Johnson dunk like a young Kobe, but he paid homage to vintage Kobe with a pair of the adidas EQT Elevation.
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Paul Millsap's Big Dunk Over Jared Sullinger
Date: November 23, 2013
Opponent: Boston Celtics
Shoe: Nike Zoom Crusader
Paul Millsap may be an All-Star for the first time in his career, but he's no newcomer to the highlight reel. In an early-season game against the Celtics, the former Utah Jazz forward put it down for his new team in a big way with a monster dunk over Jared Sullinger. Millsap took flight in a pair of purple Nike Zoom Crusader's, showing off his hops and proving that low-top sneakers aren't just for guards.
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J.J. Hickson's Two-Handed Slam on Marvin Williams
Date: November 11, 2013
Opponent: Utah Jazz
Shoe: Nike Hyperdunk 2013
Utah’s Marvin Williams has probably learned a lot during his nine years in the league, but apparently no one taught him to clear the paint when Denver’s J.J. Hickson has the ball. Coming off a pick and roll with teammate Ty Lawson, Hickson straight violated Williams with a monster two-handed slam while wearing a pair of the Nike Hyperdunk 2013. J.J. has been known to rotate his game day Nike sneaker lineup from time to time, but for one of the best dunks of the year (so far), he laced up in the most popular model among pro ballers.
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Anthony Davis Posterizes Big Baby
Date: January 26, 2014
Opponent: Orlando Magic
Shoe: Nike Air Max Hyperposite
Big Baby got a serious taste of what manhood feels like courtesy of a poster-worthy facial from Anthony Davis last month. Strapped in a pair of Nike Air Max Hyperposite, the Pelicans rookie stud took it to the hole with authority on his veteran counterpart. Davis went on to lead his team to victory with a 22-point, 19-rebound performance. Was it the shoes? Possibly.
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Gerald Green's Dominique-esque Windmill Dunk
Date: November 24, 2013
Opponent: Orlando Magic
Shoe: Reebok Shaq Attaq "Shaqtus"
Gerald Green will never be on the same level as the great Dominique Wilkins. But for one split second on November 24, Green channeled his inner "Human Highlight Reel" with a Dominique-esque windmill dunk off the feed from Goran Dragic. Perhaps even more impressive than the actual dunk? His shoe of choice—the retro Reebok Shaq Attaq "Shaqtus."
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Paul George's Windmill slam vs Minnesota
Date: November 25, 2013
Opponent: Minnesota Timberwolves
Shoe: Nike Zoom Kobe 8
Whether you want to accept it or not, Paul George is the best all-around NBA player not named LeBron James. He can score, rebound, play lock-down D—hell, he can do it all. But what fans love most about Jedi is his freakish athleticism, which he consistently shows off by throwing down high-voltage dunks. In a Nov 25th matchup against Minnesota, Paul picked off a pass and got Pacers fans out of their seats with a monster windmill slam. Paul, who usually balls in the Nike Hyperfuse 2013, laced up in the low-top Zoom Kobe 8 instead. Regardless of his shoe choice, however, the result would have been the same.
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John Wall's 360 Breakaway Dunk
Date: November 26, 2013
Opponent: Los Angeles Lakers
Shoe: adidas Crazyquick
Now that he's finally healthy, fans are getting a taste of what John Wall can really do on the hardwood. His 20-point, 8-rebound/game so far in the season were enough to get him selected to his first-ever All-Star game. But even more impressive than his stats is how explosive Wall has looked on both ends of the court. The Lakers got a front-row seat to the John Wall shoe in an early-season matchup in which the third-year guard threw down a 360 breakaway dunk while sporting his signature adidas Crazyquick sneakers. Wall will likely wear the same shoe during the All-Star festivities, including the Slam Dunk contest.
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Xavier Henry's Monster Slam Over Jeff Withey
Date: November 12, 2013
Opponent: New Orleans Pelicans
Shoe: Nike Kobe 8
No Kobe? No problem. Even without their leader on the court, the Lakers have had some memorable moments during the first half of the season. While it hasn't quite translated into the win column, there have been plenty of Laker sightings on the highlight reel. In one of the best dunks of the year, the Xavier Henry took flight on the Pelicans' Jeff Withey with a left-handed tomahawk slam is certainly worthy of a poster. Henry even showed love to Mamba by donning his signature shoes, the Nike Kobe 8. R.I.P. Withey.
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J.R. Smith's Reverse Windmill Slam
Date: January 30, 2014
Opponent: Cleveland Cavaliers
Shoe: Nike Hyperdunk 2013
Whether his team is struggling or balling out, J.R. Smith can always be relied upon by Knicks fans to give them their money's worth. Take the team's recent game against Cleveland for example. After breaking the ankles of Anthony Bennett, J.R. drove down the baseline and laid down the hammer with a reverse windmill dunk that got MSG on its feet. Both players were wearing the Nike Hyperfuse 2013, though it was Smith who did them more justice.
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Terrence Ross Posterizes Kenneth Faried
Date: January 31, 2014
Opponent: Denver Nuggets
Shoe: Air Jordan 10 “Doernbecher”
Terrence Ross will once again be featured in the All-Star Slam Dunk contest this season. And if his recent facial on Denver's Kenneth Faried is any indication, we like his chances of defending last year's crown. Ross wore a pair of Air Jordan 10 "Doernbecher," as he channeled his inner MJ and took flight with a one-handed monster slam on Faried. The epic dunk is depicted in the animation below. Enjoy.
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LeBron Takes Flight on Millsap
Date: December 23, 2013
Opponent: Atlanta Hawks
Shoe: Nike LeBron XI
LeBron has a habit of making defenders look foolish. Atlanta's Paul Millsap now knows that first hand after being posterized by King James in epic fashion back in December. As seen in the image below, LeBron rocked the rim in his signature Nike LeBron 11—a shoe that he has seemingly warmed up to despite the foot troubles it gave him early on in the season.
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Paul George Throws Down Nasty 360 Windmill Slam
Date: January 18, 2014
Opponent: Los Angeles Clippers
Shoe: Nike Zoom Crusader
Paul George has made a habit of getting on the highlight reel game after game. Last month, George one-upped himself with a huge 360 windmill slam that had the entire basketball world buzzing. Interestingly enough, George wore the same Nike Zoom Crusader (different colorway) model that was on display during his windmill dunk against Minnesota earlier in the season. There's still a lot of basketball to be played, but George gets the early season nod for best dunk of the year.