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PC Spotlight #8: Slam Dunk Champions
Growing up in the 80's... I looked forward to the slam dunk competition more than the all-star game itself. A lot has changed since then. These days... I don't even watch the competition live anymore. I'll usually catch it on the internet either later that evening or in the days following.
I can't put my finger on one specific reason for the loss of interest. Maybe it's that all of the dunks look the same. Or is it that in recent years... a lot of the big names have avoided the contest.
Well this year... I'm planning on watching it live. And it's all because of Mr. Blake Griffin. The things this guy does with a basketball is crazy for a guy of his size. Don't believe me... check out this video I found on YouTube:
Dang... I wish I had invested in this guy... or at least picked up an autograph earlier, before he blew up. Because if he wins this weekend (and I'm betting he does)... it's going to cost me an arm and a leg to add him to my Slam Dunk Champions autograph collection... which I'd like to share with you right now. I'll start with the most recent winners and work backwards:
1997 Slam Dunk Champion
Kobe Bryant
1996 Slam Dunk Champion
Brent Barry
That's all folks... 15 years of Slam Dunk Champions. I actually have two more autographs in this collection... but I'll save them for Saturday's post. Can you guess who they are? Here's a hint... I can't even begin to afford a Jordan autograph. Stay tuned to find out.
Until then... I leave you with today's question of the day:
My vote has to go with Vince Carter. That dunk over that 7'2" guy from France during the 2000 Olympics... are you kidding me? Never seen it? Click here.
And that's not even my favorite dunk from him. The one that I've watched over and over... took place less than an hour away from my house at the 2000 Slam Dunk competition. I've watched it at least 50 times and it's still exciting to watch. Figure it out yet? It's his collaboration dunk with T-Mac... where McGrady bounces the ball... Carter grabs it... throws it between his legs... then windmills it home. That dunk can be described in one word... PERFECTION. Check it out here at the 1:50 mark.
I honestly think that was the last year I truly got excited over a dunk contest and I now I know why. VC set the bar too damn high for anyone else. But that's just my humble opinion... what's yours?
Enjoy your evening... I'm out... sayonara!
More...
I can't put my finger on one specific reason for the loss of interest. Maybe it's that all of the dunks look the same. Or is it that in recent years... a lot of the big names have avoided the contest.
Well this year... I'm planning on watching it live. And it's all because of Mr. Blake Griffin. The things this guy does with a basketball is crazy for a guy of his size. Don't believe me... check out this video I found on YouTube:
Dang... I wish I had invested in this guy... or at least picked up an autograph earlier, before he blew up. Because if he wins this weekend (and I'm betting he does)... it's going to cost me an arm and a leg to add him to my Slam Dunk Champions autograph collection... which I'd like to share with you right now. I'll start with the most recent winners and work backwards:
2006, 2009, & 2010 Slam Dunk Champion
Nate Robinson
2008 Slam Dunk Champion
Dwight Howard
2007 Slam Dunk Champion
Gerald Green
2005 Slam Dunk Champion
Josh Smith
2004 Slam Dunk Champion
Fred Jones
2002 & 2003 Slam Dunk Champion
Jason Richardson
2001 Slam Dunk Champion
Desmond Mason
2000 Slam Dunk Champion
Vince Carter
Nate Robinson
2008 Slam Dunk Champion
Dwight Howard
2007 Slam Dunk Champion
Gerald Green
2005 Slam Dunk Champion
Josh Smith
2004 Slam Dunk Champion
Fred Jones
2002 & 2003 Slam Dunk Champion
Jason Richardson
2001 Slam Dunk Champion
Desmond Mason
2000 Slam Dunk Champion
Vince Carter
Unfortunately... there wasn't a slam dunk contest in 1998 or 1999.
1997 Slam Dunk Champion
Kobe Bryant
1996 Slam Dunk Champion
Brent Barry
That's all folks... 15 years of Slam Dunk Champions. I actually have two more autographs in this collection... but I'll save them for Saturday's post. Can you guess who they are? Here's a hint... I can't even begin to afford a Jordan autograph. Stay tuned to find out.
Until then... I leave you with today's question of the day:
Who do you think is the greatest dunker of all-time?
My vote has to go with Vince Carter. That dunk over that 7'2" guy from France during the 2000 Olympics... are you kidding me? Never seen it? Click here.
And that's not even my favorite dunk from him. The one that I've watched over and over... took place less than an hour away from my house at the 2000 Slam Dunk competition. I've watched it at least 50 times and it's still exciting to watch. Figure it out yet? It's his collaboration dunk with T-Mac... where McGrady bounces the ball... Carter grabs it... throws it between his legs... then windmills it home. That dunk can be described in one word... PERFECTION. Check it out here at the 1:50 mark.
I honestly think that was the last year I truly got excited over a dunk contest and I now I know why. VC set the bar too damn high for anyone else. But that's just my humble opinion... what's yours?
Enjoy your evening... I'm out... sayonara!
More...