NBA Slam Dunk Contest

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest was inaugurated in the ABA. This revolutionized the game of basketball at their all-star game in 1976 in Denver as they introduced the slam dunk contest. Now players could show off their skills and try to out-dunk each other. However, this contest would be short-lived as the ABA went out of business the next year and merged with the NBA. The NBA would not keep this contest buried for too long. Once the NBA realized that the popularity of the slam dunk was intensifying, they decided to create a contest of their own. The NBA reintroduced the slam dunk contest in 1984 at its birthplace in Denver. This paved the way for one of the most memorable slam dunks in NBA history. The 1985 Slam Dunk Contest came down to a showdown between Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan, with Wilkins emerging victorious. In 1986, with Jordan out with an injury, Wilkins was expected to defend his crown at the Slam Dunk contest. It would be a teammate who would prevent Wilkins from repeating as champ. His Atlanta Hawks teammate, Spud Webb, made history when he upset Wilkins in the final. Webb became the shortest player to ever win the contest. Standing only five feet seven inches tall, Webb had to jump nearly all of his height just to slam on the ten foot tall basket.

Related Topics:
ABA - 1976 - Denver - NBA - 1984 - 1985 Slam Dunk Contest - Dominique Wilkins - Michael Jordan - 1986 - Atlanta Hawks - Spud Webb

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The slam dunk contest had always been a big hit with fans but interest in the contest began to wane in the mid 1990s. Initially, it was some of the players who lost interest in competing. Most players cited concerns of injuries and others felt that all the different kinds of dunks had been exhausted. With most of the superstars choosing not to participate, lesser known players began to compete. This led to a watered-down competition with not much flash. Players would win contests with boring or completely unoriginal dunks. Because of the declining interest and ratings, the NBA decided to cancel the slam dunk contest after a young Kobe Bryant won the 1997 contest.

Related Topics:
Kobe Bryant - 1997

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After a two season layoff, the NBA decided to bring the contest back. The initial contest after this was in 2000. It featured a great showdown between Vince Carter, the eventual winner, his cousin, Tracy McGrady, and Steve Francis. However, the next four contests did not feature superstars and talks again began that maybe the contest should be scrapped. The main argument was that players could not really come up with anymore dunks that people had never seen before. The lack of superstars willing to participate also hurt the appeal of the contest to fans.

Related Topics:
2000 - Vince Carter - Tracy McGrady - Steve Francis

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This year the slam dunk contest returned to its birthplace in Denver and virtually became reborn. With the spectacular dunks of this years contest, there was buzz that the dunk competition could regain the popularity it had in the 1980s. Amare Stoudemire, J.R. Smith, and the new champion, Josh Smith, all wowed the crowd with their maneuvers. They proved that there were indeed many dunks that people had not done before. Stoudamire and J.R. Smith showed off original dunks that they had spent much time working on. Josh Smith received rave reviews when he did a tribute dunk to Dominique Wilkins.

Related Topics:
Amare Stoudemire - J.R. Smith - Josh Smith

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Smith's top dunk and arguably one of the best in recent history is shown in the third photograph. He is shown hovering over a seated Kenyon Martin as he glides through the air to the basket. He also has revived interest in a contest once feared as an endangered event. The slam dunk contest would receive a giant boost in popularity if superstars like Carter, McGrady, Bryant, or LeBron James overcame their fear of possibly failing to beat an unknown player. If all of the superstars decided to compete then they would not have to worry about losing against a player who has the same name recognition as themselves.

Related Topics:
Kenyon Martin - LeBron James

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