The NBA's Worst Dunkers
The NBA's Worst Dunkers

by Ben Leibowitz

In determining the NBA's 'worst' dunkers, PointAfter turned to NBASavant.com and found 31 guys who have converted the fewest of their dunk attempts. Interestingly, some of the game's most impressive high-flyers double as those who miss a chunk of their tries.

Highlight-reel dunks are arguably the most exciting plays in basketball. They can spark momentum by psyching up teammates on the bench and energizing home crowds. Missed dunks, on the other hand, are as demoralizing and embarrassing as poster dunks are invigorating and sensational.

Using data from NBASavant.com, PointAfter set out to peg the worst dunkers of the 2015-16 season. In this case, the "worst" dunkers are guys who have scored on the lowest percentage of their dunk attempts. Interestingly enough, some of the game's most electrifying high-flyers -- including three former NBA Slam Dunk contestants -- get included by this measure.

We limited the list to guys who have attempted at least 10 dunks during the 2015-16 season. Also, only players who've missed a minimum of four dunks were considered. In the case of a tie by converted dunk percentage, we ordered the list by the amount of missed dunks a player has.

The flash and flair of highlight jams gets crowds out of their seats, but these players might need to consider a basic layup simply to get their team two points on a more regular basis.

#31. Rudy Gay, Sacramento Kings

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 88%
Dunks Made: 66
Dunks Attempted: 75
Dunks Missed: 9

Rudy Gay, the No. 8 overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft, has missed nine dunks this season while playing for the Sacramento Kings. Included among them is the embedded alley-oop whiff following a lob feed from Rajon Rondo.

#30. Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 87.88%
Dunks Made: 58
Dunks Attempted: 66
Dunks Missed: 8

Russell Westbrook's propensity to throw down slams with savage ferocity to psych himself up has also been his downfall on more than 10 percent of his dunk attempts. He's missed eight on the season, but it's impossible to criticize that fact provided he's also amassed 14 triple-doubles.

#29. Alex Len, Phoenix Suns

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 87.84%
Dunks Made: 65
Dunks Attempted: 74
Dunks Missed: 9

Though Alex Len has put together some great performances for the Suns throughout his third season in the pros, efficiency has eluded the big man. He's shooting just 43.1 percent from the field overall, and he's missed nine dunk attempts.

#28. Larry Nance Jr., Los Angeles Lakers

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 87.50%
Dunks Made: 42
Dunks Attempted: 48
Dunks Missed: 6

Larry Nance Jr. is the son of former Dunk Contest winner Larry Nance. A tremendous dunker in his own right, who recently threw down the embedded highlight dunk after the whistle had blown, Nance Jr. has also missed six of his dunk attempts this season.

Despite his sheer athletic ability, that inefficiency on dunks puts him near the bottom of the league.

#27. Festus Ezeli, Golden State Warriors

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 87.32%
Dunks Made: 62
Dunks Attempted: 71
Dunks Missed: 9

Festus Ezeli has exhibited quite a bit of improvement over the past few seasons for Golden State. He could, however, improve when finishing at the rim. Nine missed dunks on 71 dunk attempts isn't ideal.

Thankfully for the Warriors, second-chance points usually result in open threes following a missed dunk.

#26. Tyson Chandler, Phoenix Suns

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 87.23%
Dunks Made: 82
Dunks Attempted: 94
Dunks Missed: 12

Despite being under contract for $52 million with the Phoenix Suns, Tyson Chandler recently voiced his displeasure with the franchise's losing ways. It's a rather hollow argument given his salary. But when you add in the fact that Chandler is having arguably his worst season since his rookie year (and that he has missed a whopping 12 dunks), it's unlikely many contenders around the league are pining for his services.

#25. Andre Drummond, Detroit Pistons

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 86.78%
Dunks Made: 105
Dunks Attempted: 121
Dunks Missed: 16

Even though 22-year-old Andre Drummond has attempted to expand his offensive repertoire this season, dunks remain a big portion of his offensive game. But despite being 6-foot-11 with great athleticism, the 2016 Slam Dunk contestant has missed 16 dunk attempts throughout his fourth year in the pros.

#24. Dewayne Dedmon, Orlando Magic

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 86.21%
Dunks Made: 25
Dunks Attempted: 29
Dunks Missed: 4

Dewayne Dedmon, an undrafted center out of USC, has played a minor bench role for the Orlando Magic this season (11.6 minutes per contest). In 47 games played, he's attempted 29 dunks ... and missed four of them.

#23. Timofey Mozgov, Cleveland Cavaliers

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 86.11%
Dunks Made: 62
Dunks Attempted: 72
Dunks Missed: 10

The Cleveland Cavaliers parted ways with two first-round draft picks last year to acquire 7-foot-1 center Timofey Mozgov from the Denver Nuggets. He played well for the Cavs last season, but the 2015-16 campaign has been a different story.

Mozgov, at least by the eye test, appears to have lost a lot of confidence in his game. He's missed 10 dunks on the season, including the egregious blunder above.

#22. Michael Carter-Williams, Milwaukee Bucks

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 85.71%
Dunks Made: 24
Dunks Attempted: 28
Dunks Missed: 4

Michael Carter-Williams greatly improved his efficiency this season by shooting 45.2 percent (much better than his career average of 41.2 percent). Unfortunately, he remained an atrocious three-point shooter (27.3 percent) and missed nearly 15 percent of his dunks.

After undergoing hip surgery, his 2015-16 season was cut short after 54 games played.

#21. Thomas Robinson, Brooklyn Nets

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 85.71%
Dunks Made: 24
Dunks Attempted: 28
Dunks Missed: 4

A former No. 5 overall draft pick who was a double-double machine in college at Kansas, Thomas Robinson hasn't been able to find his way in the NBA. He's now suiting up for his fifth team in his fourth NBA season.

Turns out, he missed dunks back in the college atmosphere as well.

#20. Terrence Jones, Houston Rockets

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 85.71%
Dunks Made: 30
Dunks Attempted: 35
Dunks Missed: 5

Houston Rockets forward Terrence Jones was reportedly on the trade block this season, but ultimately stayed put in H-Town.

He hasn't been nearly as effective this season compared to a season ago, which can be applied to just about everyone on the Rockets' roster.

#19. Dwight Powell, Dallas Mavericks

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 85.71%
Dunks Made: 30
Dunks Attempted: 35
Dunks Missed: 5

Dwight Powell has played a meaningful role for the Dallas Mavericks this season, but the former second-round pick also lays claim to one of the most embarrassing missed dunks of the 2015-16 campaign (see the embedded Vine).

#18. Gordon Hayward, Utah Jazz

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 85.11%
Dunks Made: 40
Dunks Attempted: 47
Dunks Missed: 7

Gordon Hayward has blossomed into an All-Star-caliber franchise guy for the Utah Jazz. And while he occasionally throws down highlight dunks, he's missed seven of them this season.

#17. Steven Adams, Oklahoma City Thunder

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 85.11%
Dunks Made: 80
Dunks Attempted: 94
Dunks Missed: 14

Steven Adams sets some of the best screens in the NBA. As a result of those bruising picks, the big Kiwi has ample opportunity to dive to the basket for open dunks.

His ability to finish at the rim, however, has been among the worst in the NBA. He's missed 14 dunks this season.

#16. Maurice Harkless, Portland Trail Blazers

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 84.78%
Dunks Made: 39
Dunks Attempted: 46
Dunks Missed: 7

After spending the first three seasons of his career in Orlando, Maurice Harkless was traded to Portland in exchange for a second-round pick. His inconsistency has continued with the Trail Blazers. Though he's converted a career-best 47.4 percent of his field goals, he's missed seven of his 46 dunk attempts.

#15. John Henson, Milwaukee Bucks

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 84.38%
Dunks Made: 27
Dunks Attempted: 32
Dunks Missed: 5

John Henson is best known for his shot-blocking prowess as a lanky big man who can alter looks around the basket. His offensive repertoire lags behind his defensive skills, evidenced by his five missed dunks on 32 attempts.

#14. Willie Reed, Brooklyn Nets

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 83.33%
Dunks Made: 20
Dunks Attempted: 24
Dunks Missed: 4

Undrafted rookie forward Willie Reed has played 36 games for the Brooklyn Nets this season. In those contests, he's attempted 24 dunks. He's whiffed on four of them.

That stat is truly bizarre, because Reed has converted 57.5 percent of his shots overall. Most of his attempts occur in the painted area, and while he's been above league average from there, he's been far from perfect when trying to slam the ball home.

#13. Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 83.33%
Dunks Made: 35
Dunks Attempted: 42
Dunks Missed: 7

Paul Millsap falls into the camp of NBA players who have sneaky-explosive vertical leaps. Before you know it, he's elevated for rim-rattling posters.

But with the highlights also comes a fair amount of missed dunks. Perhaps that should be to Millsap's credit, as he isn't afraid to dunk on opponents, but we can't ignore his seven missed slams.

#12. Willie Cauley-Stein, Sacramento Kings

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 83.33%
Dunks Made: 55
Dunks Attempted: 66
Dunks Missed: 11

Entering the NBA out of the University of Kentucky, most scouts agreed Willie Cauley-Stein's immediate impact would be on the defensive end, not on offense.

That scouting report has played out as expected during Cauley-Stein's rookie year. And while he's been very efficient by converting 59.2 percent of his field goals, he's missed 11 dunks.

#11. Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 82.61%
Dunks Made: 19
Dunks Attempted: 23
Dunks Missed: 4

Although the failed dunk in the embedded video didn't count toward Melo's season total of missed slams, it perfectly sums up the New York Knicks' 2015-16 season -- more disappointment.

It's anyone's guess how much longer Anthony will continue to be a go-to scorer.

#10. JaMychal Green, Memphis Grizzlies

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 82%
Dunks Made: 41
Dunks Attempted: 50
Dunks Missed: 9

A litany of injuries suffered by the Memphis Grizzlies has thrust JaMychal Green into a larger role (particularly in March). He hasn't played great, and that extends to his play above the rim.

Green has missed nine dunks this season, and was featured in a FanSided piece by Dave Stevenson titled, "Dwight Powell and JaMychal Green suck at dunking."

#9. Gerald Green, Miami Heat

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 81.82%
Dunks Made: 18
Dunks Attempted: 22
Dunks Missed: 4

We know what you're thinking: Gerald Green on a list of the NBA's worst dunkers? That's blasphemy!

Well, even though G-Green is one of the most exciting and explosive dunkers ever to play in the NBA, he's missed four of his dunk attempts for Miami this season. With limited dunk attempts overall, that gives him one of the worst field goal percentages on above-the-rim shots in the league.

#8. Ryan Hollins, Memphis Grizzlies

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 80.95%
Dunks Made: 17
Dunks Attempted: 21
Dunks Missed: 4

Ryan Hollins has spent the 2015-16 campaign being repeatedly signed and waived by both the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies. A veteran journeyman, Hollins has now played for nine different organizations during his NBA career.

#7. Bobby Portis, Chicago Bulls

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 80.95%
Dunks Made: 17
Dunks Attempted: 21
Dunks Missed: 4

Ups and downs happen to every NBA rookie, and Bobby Portis is no exception. Though he's had some nice showings to get many Bulls fans in his corner, he's converting just 43.3 percent of his shots from the field.

That ugly percentage is tied to the fact that Portis rarely gets attempts at dunks, and has only made those bunnies count about 80 percent of the time.

#6. Jeff Withey, Utah Jazz

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 80%
Dunks Made: 24
Dunks Attempted: 30
Dunks Missed: 6

Jeff Withey boasts very favorable on-court, off-court stats for the Jazz. This season, opponents score nearly five points per 100 possessions fewer when Withey is on the floor.

He's been a stellar backup, and held his own when Rudy Gobert missed significant time due to injury, but he needs some work on his dunking prowess.

#5. Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 77.14%
Dunks Made: 27
Dunks Attempted: 35
Dunks Missed: 8

Victor Oladipo marks the third former NBA Dunk Contest competitor to make the list of 2015-16's "worst" (read: least efficient) dunkers. Perhaps it's simply their flair for the dramatic that translates into more difficult dunk attempts compared to what other players would try.

In any case, of the 35 dunks Oladipo has attempted this season, he's failed to convert eight of them -- a statistically significant amount. Remember, this is the guy who has what is widely viewed as the best missed dunk of all time.

#4. JaKarr Sampson, Philadelphia 76ers/Denver Nuggets

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 73.08%
Dunks Made: 19
Dunks Attempted: 26
Dunks Missed: 7

JaKarr Sampson is the first player on the countdown who has missed more than one-fourth of his dunk attempts. Getting blocked by Stephen Curry while going up for a slam isn't a good look.

#3. Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 71.43%
Dunks Made: 15
Dunks Attempted: 21
Dunks Missed: 6

Though Jordan Clarkson did throw down the embedded poster dunk on Alex Len of the Phoenix Suns earlier this season, then crediting teammate Kobe Bryant for telling him to stop going to the hole "like a light-skinned dude," the youngster in LA's backcourt has missed six dunks on the season.

Despite making the highlight reel, he also made his way to the top three of this ranking.

#2. Marreese Speights, Golden State Warriors

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 66.67%
Dunks Made: 12
Dunks Attempted: 18
Dunks Missed: 6

Mo Speights, AKA "Mo Buckets," loves to have fun out on the court. He's not afraid to shoot from anywhere, even if it may hurt his team.

Speights doesn't exactly have the best hops in the league, which contributes to his inability to finish on dunks. This season, he's converted just two out of every three dunk attempts. And who can forget his memorable breakaway miss in the NBA Finals a year ago against the Cleveland Cavaliers?

#1. Tyler Johnson, Miami Heat

Field Goal Percentage on Dunks: 54.55%
Dunks Made: 6
Dunks Attempted: 11
Dunks Missed: 5

Tyler Johnson, an undrafted shooting guard out of Fresno State, has nearly missed as many dunks as he's made throughout the 2015-16 season.

When you're the least efficient dunker in the league, perhaps it would be best not to try a 180-degree slam on a breakaway.

Article: Courtesy Point After

NBA Basketball: "The NBA's Worst Dunkers"