I can't believe that not one of our illustrious writers here at Deathrattle (Where are you GDK) has not written an article on this past weekend's Slam Dunk competition in New Orleans. It was a competition the likes of which had not been seen for almost a decade in my opinion and finally brought some excitement back into the competition.

What Dwight Howard did at this event will be talked about for quite some time, even if the "dunk" that is getting the most attention was not technically a "dunk" since he never made contact with the rim, but his and a couple by this year's runner-up and the 2007 winner Gerald Green will have folks talking about the contest for many years to come. Which leads me to write about my favorite NBA Dunk contests, and of course I am old enough to have seen every one of them.

5. Dee Brown of the Celtics in 1991, which I believe was the year that the Reebok Company introduced the "Pump" tennis shoe and Brown would pump more air into them right before launching into a massive dunk for his 6'1" frame. This was the start of the "showmanship" part of the dunk competition, which prior to this was simply "Throw it down" with as much authority as possible. Even Michael's dunks were just about power as well as how high and far he jumped.

4. The 1976 ABA Slam Dunk contest. This is where it all began, with competitors such as David Thompson, George "Iceman" Gervin, Larry Kenon, Artis Gilmore and of course "The Doctor" Dr. J, Julius Erving. Thompson was the first publicized "leaper" with like a 48 vertical jump and of course in the heyday of the 5 inch afro that Kenon, Gilmore and Erving all sported at the time. The finals came down to the Dr. against Thompson, with the Doctor giving us the first "From the free throw line" slam and the first slam dunk champion was crowned.

3. The 2008 with Howard and Green giving us Superman (wonder what Shaq thought about that?), candle blowing, "look ma" no shoes dunks. This one had excitement, shake your head types, and "where did he come up with that" type dunks. Howard of course had everyone on his side when his opening dunk of throwing it off the back side of the backboard, catching it, then reaching around the backboard without hitting his head left handed dunk. Green's cupcake dunk was cute and different, but the one that impressed me the most was Howards bounce off the floor, tip it off the backboard with the left hand then catching it and "THROW IT DOWN BIG MAN" one handed slam was the most impressive in about 8 years.

2. Vinsanity in 2000. This was the first contest since it was discontinued after the 1998 season and what a comeback it was. Vince Carter doing 360's, passing the ball through the legs dunks, going almost parallel to the ground, and then dunking the ball up to his elbow was just sick. Carter knew that he had reached the showman's top of the heap, as he has never appeared in the contest since. Which brings us to my number 1 contest;

1. The 1988 contest held in Chicago featuring the dual between the "Human High-light real" Dominique Wilkins (IMHO) the greatest "in-game" dunker of all-time against Michael "Air" Jordan in his own back-yard. Both players threw down Impressive dunk after impressive dunk, many felt that Dominique was the more impressive, but no way the Judges are going to vote for him over Michael in Chicago and History was made.

Well there you have my take on this weekend, I can also add that Jason Capono was equally impressive hitting 21-25 shots in the finals of the 3 point championship, but no one really cared about that. So don't agree with my top 5, give me your favorite slam dunk championship and why. GBR!

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Lloyds Apple said:

	First off, Jordan deserved to win. I see Jordan hate bleeding through those words and it should stop. Secondly, GDK is a slacker, we all know that. This years contest was really great and I happened to think Green's dunk was great. In a competition that had nobody under 6-8, the tallest guy won.
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February 21, 2008
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Bugeatersteve said:

LOL, "First off, Jordan deserved to win. I see Jordan hate bleeding through those words and it should stop." Man that sounds more like "Joran man-love" than anything else. Okay Lloyd, you werre what, 5 at the time of that 1988 contest? LOL. "The human-highlight" reel had one over his head back to the basket double pump between his legs from the baseline in that competition that was just "SICK". Plus a couple of wind-mill james that shook the entire arena. All Jordan did was "wag his tongue" and the judges gave him a 50.

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February 21, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

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February 21, 2008
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Bugeatersteve said:

	Not fair. I don't know how to post my Counter picture of 'nique
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February 22, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

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February 22, 2008
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Lloyds Apple said:

	copy the image location and paste the image location. Then Highlight that link and click on the square image box (5th button from left). Face it, MJ owned the NBA.
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February 22, 2008
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