7a. Scottie Pippen with “The Dunk” on Patrick Ewing
In terms of facial dunks in the NBA’s history, if this isn’t No. 1 on your list, your list is wrong. (We can discuss Shawn Kemp‘s dunk over Alton Lister later.)
The Bulls and Knicks had one of the best rivalries in sports throughout the early part of the 1990’s. The two teams despised one another and it showed with their intense playoff meetings.
Scottie Pippen’s dunk over Patrick Ewing didn’t help matters during the 1994 postseason. Not only did Pippen walk over Ewing after putting him on Vine forever (before it was even invented), he told Spike Lee to take a seat.
Greatest. Facial. Dunk. Ever.
The Bulls would lose this series in seven physical games, but Pippen’s dunk in Game 6 is still remembered.
(This game also marked the final game in the history of the Chicago Bulls at Chicago Stadium. Pippen would host a charity game over the summer, which marked the final event ever at the arena.)
7b. You’re not out of the woods yet, Patrick
During the Bulls’ sweep of New York in the first round of the 1991 postseason, Michael Jordan wanted to greet Patrick Ewing in the rudest way possible. So, that’s what he did.
It’s rated slightly below Pippen’s dunk, but in terms of facials, it’s one to remember.
Next: 6. According to Larry Bird, Michael Jordan is God, 1986