The Slam Dunk Contest originally began in the American Basketball Association in 1976. In the same year, ABA was merged into the NBA but the Slam Dunk Competition wasn’t organized until 1984. After that, it became one of the most exciting parts of All-Star Weekend.
As of all of the All-Star Contest, Slam Dunk Contest changed its name due to changes in sponsorship. Right now it’s sponsored by AT&T which is a telecommunications company.
What is a Slam Dunk?
Slam dunk is performed when a player jumps in the air with the ball above them or in their hands, in the proximity of the rim. The goal is to put the ball directly through the hoop. After that, the player is hanging from the rim with one or two hands clutching it.
Slam Dunk Competition
Nowadays, players participate in the slam dunk two-round competition. Three players are opening the first round. Each of the players has two shots to give the best performance they possibly can. They are assessed by the criteria of athleticism, ability to perform a dunk, creativity, and style.
Five judges grade the competitors on a scale of 6 to 10. The lowest combined score the contestant can get is 30 and the highest combined score is 50 for one dunk. Only two players are going into the final round and only one can get a slam dunk title.
Slam Dunk Champion
Through many years Slam Dunk Contest is one of the most thrilling to watch, due to the amazing performances of some of the players. The best of them got slam dunk titles more than once! Let’s take a look at the slam dunk champions.
1984 – Larry Nance from the Phoenix Suns.
1985 – Dominique Wilkins from the Atlanta Hawks.
1986 – Spud Webb from the Atlanta Hawks.
1987 – Michael Jordan from the Chicago Bulls.
1988 – Michael Jordan from the Chicago Bulls again!
1989 – Kenny Walker from the New York Knicks.
1990 – Dominique Wilkins from the Atlanta Hawks again!
1991 – Dee Brown from the Boston Celtics.
1992 – Cedric Ceballos from the Phoenix Suns.
1993 – Harold Miner from the Miami Heat.
1994 – Isaiah Rider from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
1995 – Harold Miner from the Miami Heat again!
1996 – Brent Barry from the San Antonio Clippers.
1997 – Kobe Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers.
2000 – Vince Carter from the Toronto Raptors.
2001 – Desmond Mason from the Seattle Supersonics.
2002 – Jason Richardson from the Golden State Warriors.
2003 – Jason Richardson from the Golden State Warriors again.
2004 – Fred Jones from the Indiana Pacers.
2005 – Josh Smith from the Atlanta Hawks.
2006 – Nate Robinson from the New York Knicks.
2007 – Gerald Green from the Boston Celtics.
2008 – Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic.
2009 – Nate Robinson from the New York Knicks once more.
2010 – Nate Robinson from the New York Knicks for the fourth time!
2011 – Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers.
2012 – Jeremy Evans from the Utah Jazz.
2013 – Terrence Ross from the Toronto Raptors.
2014 – John Wall from the Washington Wizards.
2015 – Zach LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves.
2016 – Zach LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves again.
2017 – Glenn Robinson III from the Indiana Pacers.
2018 – Donovan Mitchell from the Utah Jazz.
2019 – Hamidou Diallo from the Oklahoma City Thunder.
2020 – Derrick Jones Jr from the Miami Heat.
2021- Anfernee Simons from the Portland Trail Blazers.
Maximum Score
Some of the players changed the rules with their outstanding jumps. Judges’ choice is based on who made the maximum vertical jump or even on the legs movements while the players are in the air. It always has to be something to amaze the judges.
Dunks have to be flawless and exceptional to get the maximum score of 50. But who is more exceptional than NBA players? Few of them managed to get 50 more than once!
The most 50s record is held by Aaron Gordon with eight, followed by Zach LaVine, who has seven; Michael Jordan has the third-highest total with six, subsequently, Dominique Wilkins has five and Jason Richardson has also five.
Controversies
Even though the slam dunk contest is a great spectacle, the contest is quite controversial. It is because dunking is connected with a huge risk of injury. It was even banned by the NCAA for almost ten years!
Some of the players, for example, LeBron James, refuse to participate in the contest because it’s too dangerous just for one show. Besides, there is a stigma in the NBA, that the players who dunk are only good in this one thing. That’s why nowadays, the Slam Dunk contest mostly features young players.
Few Last Words
The AT&T Slam Dunk Competition is a highlight of All-Star Saturday Night and many of the fans await it more than for the NBA All-Star game!
No matter if you are one of them, remember that slam dunks are things you should never try at home!
