The NBA reintroduced the Slam Dunk Contest in 1984 at its birthplace in Denver…..as Phoenix’s Larry Nance defeated the original Dunk contest winner Julius Erving in the final round….then Hawks Dominique Wilkins won the contest the following year….whereas in 1986 his Atlanta teammate Spud Webb made history when he defeated Wilkins in the final….and preventing him from retaining his title….while standing a mere 5 feet 7 inches tall….as Webb became the shortest player ever to win the contest, a distinction that he still holds.
Chicago’s Michael Jordan won back-to-back dunk contest victories in 1987….as he is seen in the semifinals against Portland’s Clyde Drexler in this video herewith….then in 1988, his victory over Wilkins in Chicago….as he finished with a perfect 50 dunk from the free-throw line for his third dunk to win the contest…..however, the announcers did note that Wilkins was given abnormally low score for his breathtaking third dunk, a 45, allowing Jordan to win it by 2 with his perfect 50….and to this day, the allegations of “home cooking” still float around surrounding the event….as it was held on Jordan’s home court with one of the judges being former Chicago Bears star Gale Sayers….along with another judge, former NBA star Tom Hawkins, being a Chicago native….which is considered arguably the most controversial of the slam dunk competitions.
The following year in Houston, New York’s Kenny “Sky” Walker, a last-minute replacement whose father died just days beforehand….upset Portland’s Clyde Drexler, the hometown favorite and Houston native who was seen as the favorite….being that Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins were not competing.
