Who Dunked It Better? Blake Griffin vs Desmond Mason

Blake Griffin's impressive season continued last night behind a 30/15 performance, leading the Clippers to their 9th straight W with a comfortable victory over their best mates, the Golden State Jermaine O'Neals.

The highlight of the night was Griffin's soaring putback in the 4th:

Blake Griffin putback vs Golden State Warriors

(March 12, 2014)

How does this finish stack up against great tip dunks of recent times? In our opinion, one of the most impressive putback artists of the past decade or so was Desmond Mason. Today's Who Dunked It Better? looks back at Mason's one-handed, head-at-rim finish over the GOAT Hedo and the Birthday Boy Bobby Jackson.

Desmond Mason putback vs Sacramento Kings

(November 15, 2002)

Card of the Week: Tim Thomas ft. the Karl Malone "Special Delivery" Dunk

The other night against the Thunder, Quincy Miller broke out what we consider to be the most pedestrian signature dunk in NBA history, the Karl Malone "Special Delivery".

We re-visited a Ball Is Life mixtape to find that Quincy has been doing this for a while.

However, over the past twenty years there have been a few other players to have paid homage to this dunk, and we thank Quincy for providing the inspiration behind this edition of Card of the Week.

TIM THOMAS. While you shudder, the double-headband donning 6'10 forward was an explosive dunker when he felt like it, particularly during his younger days as a Sixer and Buck. His 1997-98 Flair Showcase card has him in full Special Delivery mode albeit with the palm of his left hand not quite cupping the rear of his cranium.

On the subject of Tim Thomas, special mention must go to The Grand Archives, who has shown our man a lot of love on his exceptionally curated basketball Tumblr.

Thomas aside, the greatest player to ever execute this dunk in an NBA game is none other than the King himself back on December 9, 2008:

The story does not end here though. At the height of his powers in the early 90s, Scottie Pippen pulled out the Special Delivery while Malone was actually still doing the dunk himself. We suspect this particular effort may not fall into the "imitation is the highest form of flattery" category.

But like all good Card of the Week entries, this is a cautionary tale. You best have a clear runway if you are going to attempt any form of fast break showboating. In our opinion, this is the greatest chase-down block by Hakeem Olajuwon during his stellar career. And he's had a few.

UPDATE

Since we ran this piece, a number of other examples have been submitted by numerous members of our extended family, including efforts by the Dank Brothers, Blake and DeAndre Griffin:

Even Shawn Kemp, the swaggiest dunker this side of Ricky Davis indulged in a little Mailman action for the enjoyment of Vincent Askew.

We can't let this go without featuring this incredible homage by none other than Eric Montross, in high school no less. 

If you know what film this screenshot is taken from we'll send you on an all expenses paid dinner with Eric. He is a good man.

EPILOGUE

Et tu, Lamar?

Who Dunked It Better? Vince Carter vs Blake Griffin

 Let us know - Big Nasty or Big Barnesy?

Vince Carter vs Philadelphia 76ers at Chapel Hill
(October 16, 2000)

  Blake Griffin vs Orlando Magic at Staples Center
(January 6, 2014)

The similarities on this play are even more uncanny than our previous entry featuring Vincent Lamar Carter.