Yes, Dunking is Legal in the NBA

Unlike NCAA basketball which banned slam dunks from 1967 to 1976, jamming the ball through the hoop has always been a legal and essential part of professional basketball. As long as players avoid offensive basket interference and hanging on the rim, they are free to rock rims to their hearts‘ content.

A History of Rim Rattlers

Believe it or not, dunking‘s origins can be traced back to dunking pioneer Joe Fortenberry throwing down savage jams in the 1936 Olympics. The "leap and loom" shooting style quickly spread across the early professional ranks, terrorizing defenders across the upstart leagues.

As Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Kurland told Hoops Addict,

"I was an innovator of the dunk shot in the mid to late 40s…Before that time, the dunk shot was considered a circus act play. It was not taken seriously as an offensive weapon."

While the casual style of early hoops limited dunking, the rise of athletic big men like George Mikan and Wilt Chamberlin made throwing down thunderous slams central to the professional game by the late 1950s. Far from being seen as hot dogging, merciless jams demoralized rivals and thrilled fans.

The ABA Upped the High-Flying Game

The upstart ABAleague took the aerial assault to new levels by featuring acrobatic athletes like Julius Erving and David Thompson in the early 1970s. Their boundary-pushing athleticism brought a new level of excitement and viewership to pro ball.

As Erving told the NBA, the ABA style of play was:

"Wide open, one-on-one play. We‘ll try anything here. No crazy shot is too crazy. No crazy play is too crazy. This isn‘t the NBA."

When the leagues merged in 1976, the DNA of the high-flying ABA became the NBA‘s model going forward.

Unleashing A New Generation of High Flyers

In the modern era, Michael Jordan setting the slam dunk contest ablaze in the 1980s fueled a resurgence of high-flyers continuing to push the boundaries of gravity. From Jordan ascending from the foul line to Vince Carter‘s elbow-hanging spectacle in 2000, the art and athleticism on display expanded fans‘ notions of possibility.

Legends like Dominique Wilkins and Spud Webb also scored rivalries and timeless moments driving NBA popularity and hype to new heights in the late 20th century.

The Rules Around Dunking

Unlike the NCAA, the NBA rule book is conspicuously devoid of any specific rules limiting or banning dunking. Stuffing the rim has always been viewed as an impressive offensive weapon rather than something in need of restriction.

However, a few key rules still shape what‘s allowed while throwing down:

• Hanging on the rim – Outside of player safety concerns, hanging on the rim to showboat or delay play results in a technical foul. Safety considerations around hanging to avoid dangerous falls somewhat limit this rule‘s enforcement.

• Basket interference – Touching the ball during a dunk while it‘s still within the cylinder area above the rim leads to a basket interference violation and turnover. Players must allow the ball passage through the hoop without contact.

• Using the rim as a prop – While spectacular, using the rim as a prop for hanging or climbing constitutes a technical foul. Think Tayshaun Prince‘s vertical leap to pin a shot against the glass versus pulling yourself up on the rim.

• Injuring the rim – Dunks that injure the structural integrity of the backboard or bend/break the rim may result in a delay of game penalty and technical foul. However, righteous rim rocking jams are still smiled upon.

Dunking in Today‘s NBA

While dunks have always defined the NBA game, a new generation of high-flyers like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Aaron Gordon, and Ja Morant have raised the bar for power and flair. Ascending young stars like Anthony Edwards and Zion Williamson have also driven new excitement around athletic feats previously considered impossible.

The increased spacing and pace of play in today‘s NBA give players an added platform and incentive to attack the rim. Stars are turning alley oops and transition throw downs into daily highlights as dunking volume increases league wide.

Consider the NBA league leaders in dunks over recent seasons:

Meanwhile, the slam dunk contest remains a marquee event of All-Star weekend, showcasing previously unthinkable leaping prowess and body control for eager basketball junkies.

The Authority and Excitement of the Dunk

Unlike other pro sports leagues, the NBA has always embraced jaw-dropping athletic feats like dunking as a great way to market stars and drive interest. In-game dunking sets Twitter ablaze and keeps fans glued to broadcasts waiting for the next posterization.Between the genetics, effort and determination it takes to dunk at the pro level, flushing the ball is rightfully seen as impressive more than showboating. Dunking allows NBA stars to showcase strength, explosion and skill every night.

As Utah Jazz guard Jordan Clarkson explained to SLAM Online on the unique thrill of dunking:

"You want to try to do it on somebody sometimes. But it feels good to go up there by yourself too and bang on the rim."

So unlike college hoops‘ more conservative take, expect rim bending jams to keep electrifying NBA crowds for decades to come.