National Basketball Association

Ranking the best 14 dunks in Memphis Grizzlies history

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 3:59 p.m. ET

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Apr 3, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Grizzlies forward Jeff Green (32) celebrates after a dunk in the second quarter as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (2) looks on at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports

The Vancouver and Memphis Grizzlies have have only been in the NBA since 1995, but that doesn’t mean their squads haven’t lit up the highlight reels in that span. What better way to warm up for the 2016-2017 season than by watching the greatest dunks in Grizzlies history?

Let’s be honest, September is one of the worst months of the year for basketball fans. The free agency frenzy has come to abrupt close, the Olympics are over and fans can’t even watch players like Jerian Grant light up the Summer League anymore. Posts like the one below are taking over the NBA subreddit.

So it’s safe to say that it’s a dark time for Memphis Grizzlies fans and NBA fans alike. However, we’re here to bring you suffering to an end; to help quench your thirst for basketball, we compiled a list (videos included, of course) of the most earth-shattering, clutch and downright savage dunks in the Grizzlies’ 21-year history. Special thanks to everyone who submitted their nominations to @BealeStreetBearsFS on Twitter.

No. 14: Rudy Gay windmill dunk against Phoenix

I’ll be honest with you, this is far from being the last you’ll see of Rudy Gay on this slider. One of the most athletic players in Grizzlies history, he’s given the crowds at FedEx Forum plenty of memories that’ll still drop their jaws when they see videos years later.

*Raises glass to Rudy Gay*

No. 13: Jeff Green throws it down against Oklahoma City

Jeff Green only played 98 games in Memphis, dunking 35 times according to Basketball Reference, but he made each and every one of them count.

At No. 11, Green makes a quick debut (spoiler: this isn’t the only time you’ll see him), flying past Kevin Durant for an authoritative finish. Green scored only eight points on 4-of-12 shooting, but his dunk may have helped swing momentum as the Grizzlies earned a nice dub against Oklahoma City during the 2014-2015 season.

No. 12: Pau Gasol slides past Kevin Garnett for the slam

Now, tell me this wasn’t the first thing you said when you saw Pau Gasol slide past Kevin Garnett to dunk on the entire Timberwolves’ frountcourt.

Indeed it was.

Welcome to the National Basketball Association, Pau, and welcome to basketball fandom, Spain.

No. 11: Vince Carter dunks on Rudy Gobert

Vince Carter was in his late 30s and Rudy Gobert was emerging as one of the top rim-protectors in the NBA. That didn’t prevent Carter from pulling out “Vintage Vinsanity” and challenging the young Frenchman.

Carter’s bounce may not match what it was in his glory days, but his relentless attacking instinct still does.

No. 10: Rudy Gay nearly sends Manu Ginobli into fetal position

First off, extra points to Rudy Gay for throwing down this one during clutch time, tying the game up with the San Antonio Spurs at home. I’ve seen guys jump out of the way when they see a dunk coming, but I’ve never seen a man take defeat in the manner that Manu Ginobli did here. When Gay takes flight, he has already accepted he’s going to be posterized so hard that his protective instincts kick in. Wow. I think I’d rather be hit by a small car than be dunked on by Gay.

But seriously, look at the intensity in his eyes.

Next: Stro' gives Dirk BOFA

No. 9: Stromile Swift takes Dirk Nowitizki for a ride

Before legends become legends, they have to earn it, and it’s not always pretty. Here, a young Dirk Nowitizki is made victim of a hard dunk from the Grizzlies’ Stromile Swift. Rather than sticking the dunk and moving on, Swift did the most disrespectful thing he could do, maneuvering his groin onto Nowitzki’s head.

There is no doubt in my mind that it was 100 percent on purpose, shattering the “savagery scale.”

Also, any ball passed by Jason Williams gets an extra 30 points on the “cool” scale.

I’m making up these scales as we go along.

No. 8: JaMychal Green goes right at Rudy Gobert

Sorry, but Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert was absolutely harmed in the making of this slider.

But seriously, JaMychal Green sees Gobert right under the basket and doesn’t even take his eyes off the basket; not once does this man consider dishing the ball out to a shooter. The way he gets right in Gobert’s face after throwing it down shows that he knew all along it was going in. The confidence and swagger is fantastic.

As for the taunting foul? Serious party foul. Thanks a lot, National Basketball Association.

No. 7: Jeff Green posterizes Kyle Seraphin

Kyle Seraphin is one of the nicest guys in the league, but Jeff Green held nothing back here. Using the pump fake to create separation, Green had a running start and jumped after only getting one foot in the paint. Nasty stuff.

BUT CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS ISN’T THE LAST WE’VE SEEN OF JEFF GREEN ON THIS LIST?

No. 6: 7’6″ is nothing for the bunnies in Stromile Swift

Yes, I know the video’s quality is garbage, but the dunk is astounding. Imagine having the confidence to drive and go for a two-handed dunk over a man who is 7’6,” that is obscene. Next time you see that 10/10 when you’re out with the squad, channel your inner-Swift and make a move.

No. 5: James Johnson gets the dime and the bucket

Two things I noticed while making this list:

Maybe he wasn’t posterized, but Clippers center DeAndre Jordan looked ridiculous after James Johnson’s nifty off the glass alley-oop to himself.

No. 4: Rudy Gay puts Luis Scola on the floor

I’ll take one please. Luis Scola isn’t a small guy, but Rudy Gay’s tenacity on that slam had him feeling the hardwood. Don’t worry, y’all, we still have one more Gay dunk coming your way…

No. 3: Bonzi Wells throws up the lob to Stromile Swift

What a treat it’s been watching all the old Stromile Swift videos that everyone sent in. However, none show off his extreme athleticism like this alley-oop finish on a lob from Bonzi Wells. With the pass too far behind him, Swift cocks his arm literally allllllllllllll the way back, and physics can tell you what happens next.

No. 2: Rudy Gay dethrones King James

What I would’ve done to be in the FedEx Forum for this moment. Please, watch the video all the way through. Listen to the crowd buzzing after Rudy Gay crosses up LeBron James before finishing with the emphatic slam, then listen to it erupt after Wayne Ellington hits the 3-pointer the ensuing possession. That’s what basketball is all about.

No. 1: Jeff Green slams down the alley-oop at the buzzer

Buzzer beaters are magical no matter what form they come in. More often than not, it’s an athletic drive to the basket or a fadeaway jumper. Rarely is it an alley-oop slam off the inbounds. However, Jeff Green makes his curtain call at No. 1 with this athletic dunk at the buzzer after a perfect feed from Courtney Lee that downed the Phoenix Suns.

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