Top 10 NBA Dunks On Emeka Okafor

There’s no doubt that Emeka Okafor is one of the best shot blockers in the NBA. Over his eight-year career, he’s averaged 1.8 blocks per game. The only problem is, when you attempt to block shots, you put yourself in the position to be on the underside of a lot of posters. So after watching him play last night against Houston, I decided now was as good a time as any to compile the top 10 dunks on Okafor from his NBA career. Enjoy!

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10. Carmelo Anthony (Jan. 14, 2008)

As you’ll see on this list, Okafor is often just in the wrong place at the wrong time. But that’s an occupational hazard when you play help-side defense. This may not look that impressive, but ‘Melo jammed this ball home through Emeka’s hand. That’s just how powerful he is.

9. Vince Carter (Jan. 7, 2012)

It’s crazy to think that this one happened just the other day and involved Vince Carter. Yes, that Vince Carter. But apparently Mark Cuban bought the Holy Grail from the Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade estate sale or something. There’s no way Carter should have been able to turn back the hands of time to dunk on Okafor like this, but that’s exactly what happened.

8. Serge Ibaka (Jan. 24, 2011)

You’ve got watched the baseline angle on this one to realize how nasty Ibaka’s dunk really is. Oftentimes I find myself laughing when big men scramble for the loose ball on the block, but to be able to grab it and dunk with unchecked agression is impressive. There’s nothing Okafor could have done.

7. Jason Richardson (Dec. 2, 2005)

This is the earliest clip you’ll find on this list, and I wish there were more angles. Finding NBA highlights from the dawn of YouTube are rare, but these are seven seconds Okafor will never forget. (J-Rich too.)

6. Jermaine O’Neal (Dec. 30, 2009)

Finding a highlight of Jermaine O’Neal from his stint in Miami is awesome in its own right, but this dunk on Okafor is just filthy. My favorite part is that somehow the ball lands in Emeka’s hands. At least he was ready for a quick outlet pass.

5. Kenyon Martin (Jan. 23, 2010)

What’s the deal with aging superstars having their way with Okafor? K-Mart just straight beasts him on this play, and left his fingerprints on the backboard so CSI could prove it. Remember kids, if you don’t box out, this could happen to you too.

4. DeJuan Blair (Nov. 28, 2010)

Textbook pick and roll here by the Spurs, and David West‘s inability to get back to the block left Okafor wide open for abuse. This is what we in the business call “a facial,” and no one wants a Spalding tattoo on their face.

3. Trevor Ariza (Jan. 5, 2007)

I hope once these two became teammates they could somehow find a way to laugh about this. In Emeka’s defense, his teammates parted the lane like Moses parted the Red Sea. By the time Ariza got there, he was D.O.A.

2. Kobe Bryant (April 26, 2011)

I bet a lot of you thought this was going to be No. 1, right? At 32 years old, this dunk looked like Kobe of yesteryear. And Kevin Harlan‘s call makes it that much better. Make sure you watch this from every conceivable camera angle in Staples Center.

1. Dwyane Wade (Dec. 8, 2008)

There’s only one phrase that can describe this dunk by Wade: reckless disregard for human life. My favorite part about watching this clip is the fact that Wade gets the rebound, dribbles up the floor, plans his attack and converts. This dunk didn’t just happen – it was an assassin-like execution. And this night, Okafor was the mark.

What do you think? What’s your favorite dunk on Okafor?

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