Atlanta Hawks: 15 Best Dunkers of All-Time
Josh Smith. 3. player. 125. . SF/PF. (2004-13)
6-foot-9 forward Josh Smith was a mainstay on the Hawks roster as soon as he arrived. He was selected 17th overall by the Hawks in the 2004 NBA Draft and right away, fans took notice of his knack to play above the rim. Smith was selected to two Slam Dunk Contests during his time in Atlanta.
As a rookie, Smith averaged 9.7 points, 6.2 rebounds, 1.9 blocks and 1.7 assists per contest and converted 114 dunks. By his second season in the NBA, he was selected to be a participant in the 2005 Slam Dunk Contest. He took home the championship in his first dunk contest, winning the first Dunk Contest as a Hawks’ player since 1990.
Smith beat out J.R. Smith, Chris Andersen and Amar’e Stoudemire to take home the crown. He returned the next season to defend his crown, but ultimately lost out to Nate Robinson.
As far as his dunking on the court goes, Smith managed to record at least 100 dunks in all but two seasons for the Hawks. He recorded a career-high 123 in his final year with Atlanta, leading a lethal combination of himself and Al Horford on the interior.
As one of most athletic players to come out of high school, it didn’t take Smith long to pick up the nickname “J-Smoove” for his innate ability to play above the rim with limited effort. Unfortunately for him, nine seasons were enough before he moved on to Detroit in the 2013 offseason.