30 Day Baseball Card Challenge

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Thursday, February 17, 2011

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:

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

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!

at

6 comments:

  1. NathanFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:36 PM

    I agree that Vince is the best dunker (at least in the contest). I remember watching that contest live and it is still one of my favorite sports memories.

    I'll guess Kenny Walker and Dominique Wilkins as your other two cards.

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  2. The Big KahunaFebruary 17, 2011 at 10:43 PM

    I'll say Spud Webb and Dee Brown!

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  3. Feather ChuckerFebruary 18, 2011 at 12:21 PM

    Probably Micheal Jordan or Spud Webb

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  4. Charles @ HoopographyFebruary 18, 2011 at 2:38 PM

    Wow, that is an impressive collection of auto's. Sweet Kobe card and gotta give it up on that Brent "Bones" Barry card!!!

    I have to go with Vince.

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  5. FujiFebruary 20, 2011 at 7:22 AM

    nathan - i watched that contest too... and agree it was epic. you called the wilkins correctly... the other card is webb. but... i'll have to see about adding a walker to my pc.

    the big kahuna - damn... totally forgot about dee brown. not sure how i could forget the soaring brown with him covering his eyes... great call.

    kev2380 - webb definitely had one of the best slam dunk performances in 1986... and you can't talk about dunk contests without mentioning jordan. i have a poster of his 1988 free throw line dunk hanging in my garage.

    charles - thanks for the compliments... still need to pick up a few more... and i'm not sure if i'll be able to pick up a griffin or jordan... so this might be a pc that never ends up being completed.

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  6. OffyFebruary 20, 2011 at 10:36 PM

    If you've got a Gerald Green then you've got to pick up a Dee Brown especially since Green won with a dunk that paid homage to Brown's dunk. He's got a few affordable certified autographs out there. Should be a nice addition to the collection. I'm waiting for a jersey card to be produced so that Dee Brown trifectas become possible.

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