2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

SI Staff | Feb 16, 2010

2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Nate Robinson

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In its 26th year, the NBA All-Star dunk contest got a first this season: it's first three-time champion. Knicks guard Nate Robinson (left), who is listed at only 5-foot-9, defeated Raptors' rookie DeMar DeRozan in the finals to claim his third dunk-contest trophy. <br><br>Here are some of the best shots from Saturday's contest in Dallas.

Nate Robinson

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Nate "The Great" Robinson may be a three-time dunk champion, but his last trophy didn't come easy. After his second dunk -- he threw the ball off the backboard, grabbed it and turned in midair for a two-handed backward slam -- the Knicks guard managed to squeak by DeMar DeRozan with 51 percent of fan votes.

Nate Robinson

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Of course, being the showman that he is, Robinson had to celebrate his final dunk with the hometown Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders.

DeMar DeRozan

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In addition to Robinson's trifecta, DeRozan gave the NBA another first: the first Dunk-In winner. He beat out the Clippers' Eric Gordon in the inaugural Slam Dunk-In Contest on Friday to earn a spot in Saturday's contest.

DeMar DeRozan

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DeRozan advanced to the finals after getting a perfect score of 50 on his second dunk of the first round.

Shannon Brown

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Hoping he would provide an extra spark, Shannon Brown brought out injured Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant to assist one of his dunks.

Shannon Brown

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But even with Kobe, Brown didn't make it past the first round.

Gerald Wallace

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Nicknamed "Crash," Bobcats' forward Gerald Wallace struggled to nail some of the high-flying dunks he's known for in Charlotte.

Gerald Wallace

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Along with Shannon Brown, he failed to make it past the first round.