However, two-time winner Michael Jordan once talked about when the quality of the contest began to slide. "I think a lot of it has to do with all the dunks done without the ball," said Jordan.

LeBron James was playing for Miami Heat when he dunked on Charlotte Hornets, owned by Michael Jordan for 13 years.

Jordan was named an All-Star every year of his NBA career — including his two separate comebacks. He was absolutely a phenom, but his constancy made his Dunk Contest appearances less anomaly ...

Bryant's 49 etched his name in the history books as the youngest player to win a dunk contest. Representing the home team, the Chicago Bulls, Michael Jordan was up against a formidable lineup of ...

Past winners include Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. Past dunks include Jordan’s Julius Erving–inspired free-throw line jam, Wilkins’s windmill and Carter’s reverse 360.

In lacing up a lively history of the slam dunk, Mike Sileski digs into the social and racial implications of sports’ most exciting play.

He also earned the nickname “Air Jordan” for his skillful maneuvers and dunks on the court. The name stuck and was given to his line of sneakers after landing an endorsement with Nike.