Dwight Howard believes his name belongs among the greatest dunkers in NBA history. The former All-Star center made his case during an appearance on Podcast P with Paul George, where he reacted to FOX Sports’ list of top dunkers.
“Vince Carter has to be in that list, Dominique Wilkins has to be in that list, you gotta have Michael Jordan, you gotta have Shaquille O’Neal, you gotta have Darryl Dawkins, you gotta have Shawn Kemp in there… Me, I’m top 10,” Howard said, via HoopsHype.
He also questioned why he and O’Neal were left off the rankings.
“For me and Shaq not to be in FOX Sports’ list… Shaq, he’s dunking on everybody, breaking rims,” Howard continued. “So I just believe if you’re gonna have the best dunkers, you gotta have these guys in it.”
Howard, who won the 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, emphasized the difference between dunk contest performers and in-game dunkers.
“Now you want to talk about dunk contest dunkers? That’s a totally different thing,” he explained. “But if you want to talk about the best dunkers in the league, you gotta put the people that dunk all the time on people in there.”
The three-time Defensive Player of the Year also highlighted other overlooked names.
“Stromile Swift is one of the best dunkers, he didn’t get mentioned, Amar’e Stoudemire…” Howard added.
Throughout his 18-year NBA career, Howard built a reputation as one of the league’s most powerful dunkers.
The 6-foot-10 center made a habit of finishing above the rim, whether through putbacks, alley-oops, or posterizing defenders.
During his prime with the Orlando Magic, he was one of the most physically dominant big men in the league.
