The 5 Most Overrated 50-Point Dunks in NBA Slam Dunk Contest History
Paul Connor
Host · Writer
The NBA Slam Dunk contest has showcased some of the most electrifying moments in the league’s history. However, not every perfect 50-point score has been genuinely deserving. Over the years, questionable judging and exaggerated reactions have led to some dunks getting top marks when they probably shouldn’t have.
Here are five of the most overrated jams to ever receive a perfect score.
5. Aaron Gordon’s Backwards Between the Legs Dunk (2020)
Aaron Gordon was robbed in 2020, but ironically, one of his actual 50-point dunks from the night didn’t deserve the score. His backward between-the-legs dunk was nice but nothing groundbreaking, not to mention he missed on the first attempt. Looking back, it didn’t belong in the same tier as his show-stopping moments.
4. Jason Richardson’s Off the Bounce Windmill (2003)
A two-time winner, Jason Richardson was an elite dunk contest performer. However, his first 50-point dunk in 2003 didn’t quite measure up. He tossed the ball, caught it mid-air, and finished with a standard windmill. It was well executed, although it lacked the innovation and difficulty required for a perfect score. Given Richardson’s usual high-flying creativity, this one felt a little underwhelming.
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3. Cedric Ceballos’s Blindfold Dunk (1992)
A gimmick dunk that should’ve been worth more for the showmanship than the actual execution, Cedric Ceballos’s so-called “blindfold" dunk in 1992 is still debated. The real issue? He peeked. Watching it in slow motion, he obviously guided himself to the rim. A fun dunk? Sure. A flawless one? Hardly.
2. Spud Webb’s 1986 Dunks
At just 5’7, Spud Webb is the shortest player to ever win the dunk contest, capturing the 1986 event over teammate Dominique Wilkins. Webb earned three perfect scores on the night, including two in the final round. While his underdog story captivated fans, none of those dunks were 50-point worthy. Webb’s jams were impressive for his height but fairly routine in execution. If another contestant had performed the same kinds of dunks, the judges would unlikely have been so generous.
1. Blake Griffin’s Car Dunk (2011)
Blake Griffin jumping over a car in the 2011 contest was a marketing masterpiece. The problem? He only jumped over the hood, not the roof. In reality, most NBA players could have cleared that height with ease. Considering the hype and the choir singing in the background, the dunk felt more like a spectacle than an actual test of athleticism.
