1. Kobe Bryant
Who else but the Mamba could really seal the title of the best dunker in the Lakers’ history? After winning the 1997 Dunk Contest in his rookie season, Kobe looked set to make a splash in the league for a long time to come, and boy, did he do so. Bryant’s low-post moves, excellent mid-range game and dogged attitude orchestrated the core of his game, but his creative flair at the rim was truly the icing on the cake. Even more remarkably, Kobe has retained a great deal of that athleticism right into his swansong years in the NBA, at least before he tore his achilles tendon in 2013. This same unpredictability has lead him to create some of the most golden moments in the Lakers’ modern history. With dunks over Howard, Ming, LeBron, Paul, Smith and even an stagnant Shaquille O’Neal on his résumé, Kobe firmly establishes himself as not only the Lakers’ greatest ever dunker, but also one of the best in the league’s history.
Keep them coming, Mamba.
As there really are too many names to list all at once, I’d like to throw out some very honourable mentions to Cedric Ceballos, Michael Cooper and Orlando Wooldridge. Thanks for the memories, gentlemen.
Agree with the list? I bet you don’t, so please comment below with your suggestions on new personnel or even a revised order.