Ok, so this has been bugging me for a while now. Nate "The Fake" Robinson is the reigning Slam Dunk Champ. Has the dude dunked in an NBA game yet? If he has it must have passed me by., where as AI Jnr pulls of a dunk so sick everyone in the Toyota Center (including ballers like Kobe) couldn't quite believe what just happened. Nate over Spud was a nice touch for all people with "short man syndrome"  in the world, but get real for a minute -  you see dudes doing that all the time at your nearest court - and Desmond Mason jumped over a 6"10' Rashard Lewis in 2002, so it wasn't original either. So my point is, why aren't the leagues best in game dunkers voted into the contest every year by the fans - i guarantee you Nate wouldn't be voted in in. Here's my take on the top 10 dunk artists in the game today. (Note, Amare Stoudamire, and Tracy McGrady not included due to injury this season, Shaq not included 'cos he's a fat ####.) 

10. Kirk Snyder (NO). Does this guy have any game apart from dunking? I guess they needed someone to replace Birdman in that respect. In that case expect Snyder to be seen next year in Vegas needing 18 attempts to complete a dunk . If he manages it in only 14, he may just win the damn thing.

9. Desmond Mason (NO). A great dunk artist who produces filthy in-game dunks to add to his impressive contest back catalog.

8. Dwight Howard (ORL). Reportedly able to touch the back board a full 30inches above the rim, there is no-one is basketball who can block this guys dunks. Howard will be ready for basketball domination in a few years.

7. Shawn Marion (PHO). One of my favourite players in the league, The Matrix brings the flavor every night. Marion has no doubt benefitted since Nash came to the desert, but Marion has improved Nash's game as well, as Steve knows he can lob the ball high in the air at the rim and Marion will put it through.

 6. LeBron James (CLE). A terrific in game dunker due to his amazing physical talent, its a small wonder James elected to participate in the skills competition in Houston against Wade, Nash and Paul, when he would have been a favourite to win the dunk contest.

5. Josh Smith (ATL). J-Smoove makes it look too easy most of the time, which was why he didn't progress to the final in Houston (a 2 handed dunk from the foul line!!!?). But Josh is crazy in games as well, and makes many highlight reel plays for Atlanta both blocking shots and sending it down. Plus, it always looks better when its lefty.

4. Dwayne Wade (MIA). One of the greatest athletes in the whole of sports today. Wade at 6-4 can rise as high as anyone else, and he is creating an impressive back catalog of dunks. What makes Wade's crams extra special is what he is able to create for himself off the dribble, weaving in and around defenders before throwing it down. Wade is the most entertaing player in the league right now.

3. Andre Iguadola (PHI). This dude is crazy. AI's athleticism is off the charts, and is creativity is insane also - as Josh Smith said after the contest, no-one else would even think of going behind the backboard. Thats how 'Dre gets down, and his in game dunking (including last sundays crush in garbage time in Indy) has only gotten sicker since he was mugged of the dunk title.

2. Jason Richardson (GS).  A back2back dunk champion, with possibly the craziest dunk of all time (of the floor between the legs windmill) to win it in 2003, and J-Rich was robbed of the title in 2004, after his off the backboard between the legs effort. In games J-Rich does most of his work off the fast break - and if he's running with B-Diddy in the open floor, watch out.

1. Vince Carter (NJ).  VC15 is having a renaissance year of sublime dunks. Again a former dunk champion after putting on "the show" in 2000, Carter is the quintessential poster boy for the modern game, 6-6 and skying for lobs, and rising high above 7footers for constant highlight reel plays. Carter's dunk on Mourning in Dec will rank as one the greatest dunks of all time, and the only reason people know the name Frederic Weis, was because Carter jumped straight over his 7-2 head in the 2000 Olympics (the equivolent of Nate jumping over Vince - i don't think that could happen).

Honorable mentions go to Kobe (No.8 doesn't dunk too much anymore due to the intense defense directed his way), Richard Jefferson (at least he's second best on his team, right?), Josh Childress (they can flush in ATL), Channing Frye (he got game), Chris Bosh (slightly lesser version of D. Howard in the dunk stakes), and Stro Swift (stop, its hammertime!).