Michael Jordan vs Dominique Wilkins DUNK-OFF (1988 Slam Dunk Contest) - BEST SLAM DUNK CONTEST EVER? 

This dunk contest never gets old! MJ and Nique both had superb abilities.

I was a kid and remember watching this contest with my dad. There was so much energy in this event, you could feel it watching from home on your tv! While I was an MJ fan and was rooting for him (and he performed top tier that night!) - to this day I think Dominique was robbed. My jaw dropped on that double-handed windmill!

Nique's two handed windmill at the end was pure savagery. Incredible hang time and power.

This is when I loved basketball. The Era, the energy, just awesome

At 12:55, the slo-mo replay of my all-time favorite dunk! Just perfect form and power by Dominique. He got robbed BIG TIME...

I miss these days so much. Everything about this time period was so much fun

Watching that Red Bulls #23 jersey sailing through the air is just mesmerizing and timeless! Proud to be an 80's kid and to been able to watch live, some of the most legendary B-ball games in human history!

First time watching this… 🤨 Both men did phenomenally, but my vote went to Dominique. What a great dunk contest!

I was watching this live and as much as I remember rooting for Mike, I was sure Dominique was the real winner that night.

Long time Bulls fan. I loved watching Nique dunk, he was one of those rare players who could jump off both legs that is why his dunks were powerful.

This was the best dunk competition I've seen. Both Jordan and Wilkins brought it.

I was in Jr High school when this happened. Dominique deserved more on the double windmill but I can understand the fear the judges had. Home field advantage.

Yes Dominique was a very underrated player. He wasn't just a dunker... he was an amazing player in his own right.

Dominique was very fun to watch..Very athletic. Had Atlanta won two or three championships, he will always be the talk of the hour in NBA news.

20:00 Had that poster on my wall as a kid. This was everything back then. I remember my friends and I, trying to copy all these dunks the whole summer on my nerf hoop. Peak NBA days. It will never get any better than this.

Ted Turner owned my cable provider and the Hawks at the time, and he showed all the Hawks games to promote the team. So I saw a lot of Wilkins in his prime, and him having to carry his whole team. He was a remarkable basketball player. They didn't call him the human highlights real for nothing.

I love how the judges can't do any of this but can judge how good these men are/we're.

What's so unique about Dominique windmill dunks are he's whole body was always right in front of the rim.. Even Vince didn't do that, he's always right on the side when he does the windmill

Still love to watch Wilkins and Jordan in a dunk contest or just a regular season game. They just provided a level of excitement that you just don't get from today's NBA star duals/ rivals.

I love this part of the ALL-STAR compaction it's so exciting too see the top stars go for there dunk's

Seeing this even in 2022 means so great play by both the mates ❤️❤️❤️

For those who think about Vince Carter´s elbow dunk... 10:36, and jumping from the side. This dunk is one of the most underrated dunks!

I remember this dunk contest & what 2 greats these two players were! I just miss Michael Jordan and thankful I watched him play his whole career!!! The 🐐 of the NBA!😍this whole era of the.NBA!!!

Glory days of the 80's, sorry to all that missed that decade!!!

The last dunk by dom was a clear 50 wtf judges.. This match deserves a dunk off.. One of the best in slamdunk competition history.. Both badass dunkers.. 👍

Times were definitely better back then and the energy. Jordan was amazing

From the mid 80's to the late 90's was the best era of basketball of all time, so lucky to have been alive to witness

Absolutely EPIC contest, I never get sick of watching it! Today's NBA will never be able to replicate the dunk authority alone how they punished the rim! Nowadays they're afraid to hurt their pretty manicured hands when dunking there is no authority..these two tried to MURDER the rim on each dunk!!

This will always be my favorite Dunk Contest with 2 great legends. Dominique got cheated, there's NO way his dunk was a 45 & he never missed a dunk. The judges gave the home team a gift bc how do u miss your 1st dunk & u make the 2nd & the judges give u a 50 🤷🏾‍♂️ GTFOH . . .

And Dominique Wilkins was a powerful, finesse player. Beautiful to watch.

Dominique's power is amazing! You can hear the impact on the rim with every dunk.

MJ at 13:39 is my fav dunk of all time. I've seen lots of dunkers do that dunk, but very few execute it as well as MJ.

El mejor slam dunk de todos los tiempos.

That was one of the best slam dunk contest right there. Sweet times

Jordan’s semi final first attempt made me emotional; GREATNESS in action

Just watched this again after 30 years and I'm mad all over again. Giving Dominique a 45 on that last dunk, caving to the pressure of the crowd, made 15 year old me disgusted and bitter. It was even worse this time.

Nique's 1st dunk in the finals is beautiful. The one off the backboard. He was so far away from the rim. That was fire. Classic contest right here.

I'm so sad that because of the context I lived in, I didn't have the chance to see how good Dominique Wilkins was and that it's only now, in my early forties that I discover that clearly. I always knew that he was a wonderfully gifted dunker but I wasn't aware that he was also a very good player. That's the shock I received recently from watching Wilkins closely. So I asked myself why people (and myself) only remember him as a crazy dunker, forgetting that he was also a great player? So I looked closely and I think I found the reason why. In term of game he was good but he wasn't special. In NBA history there has always been players with good game, having also good shooting abilities. So when you have a good game it's still very good but since there are so many people with the same characteristic, it's kind of logical that people forget this aspect concerning certain players. And the other thing explaining why people forgot his good game is that he was too good as a dunker. In the art of dunk, Wilkins is unique in the history of the NBA. I've never seen a man dunking with such high fury and energy. I mean he is above Shawn Kemp in this field. And his way of puting in-game dunks by pumping the ball (puting the ball high, then at the level of his belly then high again to dunk it) or puting it on his side all that to dodge defenders, are unique masterpieces to me. Those things are very difficult because they ask for high physical condition (specially muscles of the abs and flancks) and I just can't get enough of them. The only small disappointment I had while watching him is that he wasn't a glider like MJ and Drexler; he often tookoff near the rim unlike Michael Jordan, Drexler... who often tookoff further. Despite this small remark, Dominique Wilkins is really an unbelievable athlete in the history of the NBA and I'm so happy to better know his greatness. During all those years I was always wondering if he was that special. Now I know that yes, he was. In term of game he wasn't as special as MJ or Grant Hill (just to illustrate) who were crazy both in term of game and in the field of dunk, but with his unique energy and type of dunks he will never be forgotten and deserves much credits for his talent. PS: I say thank you very much to all those people who allow basketball lovers like me to correct their shortcomings.

I remember this like it was Yesterday! Looked like Jordan was going to jump out of the stadium! Wilkins was amzing player always likeed his 360 dunk! Jordan is Jordan for a reason (Legend)

Holy shit Wilkins throws it down hard! 2 hand windmill was brutal!

MJ has the best clutch up ice in the game. The more the pressure the greater he became.

I remember I was 7 years old watching this on my grandmother's black and white TV and it is still one of my favorite memories in basketball history.

Jordan had finesse and grace. Wilkins had that raw power. One of my favorite dunkers. Shawn Kemp was another that slammed it with authority

That 45 score on the 2 handed windmill dunk from Nique was some Chicago mob stuff.

That last dunk Dominique did was an all time great.

I rememeber watching this live. Man! It was awesome!! I feel sorry for the kids nowadays didnt have a chance to experience it

Man I miss basketball in the late 80s early 90s!!! Was never better or more competitive. Even the all-star games/Dunk comp/3pt comp were so damn good

Damnn, never realized Dominique didn't have a chance lol the perks of being MJ lol

Man! These days were fantastic! I was so young and in love with the NBA! Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins really influence my life! I loved these two brothas! Long Live The Kings!!!!

Man, that's great. This is the only time I can remember someone not crumbling beneath the weight of Jordan. And Nique was right there, and in my opinion, won.

Zion Williamson makes me think about Dom Wilkins every time I see him dunk. His ferociousness was damn scary!

The two-handed windmill might be the greatest dunk of all time

And this man did for basketball, what prince did for music.....Genius! Jordan, the greatest ever!!!!!!!!!!!

The Free throw glide Dunk with so much verticle the second time around is a Masterpiece Signature MOVE that's LEGENDARY. Wilkins is Fire!! Great bout! -hELLA HUNG

Such great memories of a simpler time. Both amazing basketball legends. Thank you for the upload.

The Good Ole Days! 🤘😎 Keep Pushin!

Man I loved this era 🙌💯

Was in highschool and was blown away by 6'seven Dominque Wilkins 😂🔥🇨🇦🇺🇸

I remember watching this live. Michael Jordan won this because of the hype surrounding him. And the home court advantage.

The commentary for this dunk contest was amazing

Finesse at its finest...MJ is just so smooth and very creative his body movements and creativity..Lots of free throw dunks mostly just extending their arms to reach,but MJ held back wards legs folded in the air then spreaded..Amazing to watch!

This is the night Michael showed us he could fly! I remember like it was yesterday.

Crazy all dunks they did . I'd do few but look at my career longevity instead. Play hard in games . Great players.

watched this live as a kid, watched it now Nique was robbed. He was a savage.

Jordan looked so good in slow motion his hang time was super crazy ... Def the best player ever he is the goat imo

THE ICONIC dunk from MJ!!!!!

Regardless of who won or lost the great thing about old school basketball was the level of competition and the killer instinct the legends all had. Dominique was an all time great but Jordan's foul line dunk is as iconic today as it was then.

Fierce contest. Friendly competition. Mutual respect

I'M FROM CHICAGO AND I WAS A TEEN WHEN AT THIS DUNK CONTEST IT WAS LOUD IN CHICAGO STADIUM. CLASH OF THE TITANS! LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT!

Michael Jordan with a spectacular Free Throw Dunk, in one of the greatest dunks in NBA All Star History! 🌟 💫

Both are superb dunkers. Wilkins has the athletic agility but Jordan has the artistry which makes it more entertaining and worth-watching. My vote goes to MJ the GOAT of NBA.

They can’t mess with Mj he makes every dunk looks spectacular

10:30 - 16:30 - 19:57 these three Jordan dunks are my favourite, the way his head almost touches the ring at 10:30 & the way he changes directions in mid flight at 16:30 is phenomenal, but the free throw line dunk at 19:58 decimates all dunks that came before or after, Air Jordan takes off like a goddamn F-16 & is as graceful as a ballerina & the shock wave afterwards leaves us all in awe.

When, for some reason, you thought Vince Carter was the first guy to throw down a 360 in a dunk contest. Then you see Wilkins doing it back in 1988! lol

Dominique definitely showed out that night, HE knew mj was favored to win,I give nique credit for showing out through a tough environment, We'll never see this much again since 2016 dunk contest

This slam dunk contest is what got my 14yo self deep into basketball for years till the players were more worried about money the the game and went on strike 😢😅

Great video. Learned that Ron Harper missed this contest (probably regrets that) Also that MJ won the coin toss and put the pressure on DW.

Great dunk contest… Not so sure about the judging… But it was still by far the best ever… Could’ve watched these two battle at it 10 years in a row

Ahh the good ole days, no cell phones in sight, no masks, full crowd and Michael Jordan!

It's crazy how far this has came none of these would get much love nowadays.

That is the greatest dunk ever🇨🇦❤🇺🇸

The commentator came in clutch with the best description of a dunk ever- The real 360 Wheeler dealer!

You gotta remember, they are probably taking into consideration how well the shot can be blocked. Imagine trying to guard Jordon when he’s doing all that juking in mid-air.

Iconic stuff…these broadcasters madd classy and these dunks were masterpieces…

Wilkins was a BEAST!!!!

Wow the difference from then until now. Today’s dunks are way too futuristic for these guys.

Greatest dunk contest ever! Period!

Being in Chicago I think the judges were under enormous pressure and stress w this one. Dominique got shorted and that's why.

La verdad la ultima clavada de Dominick a dos manos tenia mínimo 49. Al colocarle 45 lo perjudicaron para favorecer a Jordán. Wilkins hizo clavadas espectaculares y no parecía esforzarse , en cambio Jordán tuvo que agarrar impulso en algunas.

Watch 'Niques dunk at 17:15. His head is at the rim AND STAYS THERE for the entire windmill. It looks impossible. Was he grabbing on to the mesh with his teeth? The greatest windmill ever, by far.

This was the best era of basketball for me... Jordan changed the game, he stood out because no other player played they way he played

I remember this as a kid & I still believe my boy Nique got robbed!!!! Great dunk contest tho

Let me tell ya, watching this live was something else. It's Michael Jordan, then every other basketball player in earth history

Tears of joy for Jordan!

The dunks should be judged off the slo mo replay! Quite impressive!!

Dominique Wilkins had the power but Jordan just looked like he was floating above and around the rim. Saw this live and it still amazes me.

I still say that was home cooking and they played to the hearts of the fans in Chicago and GAVE MJ the win. Not only did he do the SAME DUNK buy he even had 2 MISSED DUNKS!

Back when the Dunk Contest was on national television!

What a great time to be alive … the 80s

This was the best era in basketball hand's down in every which way