Tag Archives: michael jordan

A Quick History of the First Slam Dunk Contest(s)

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Did you know there were two “first-ever” slam dunk contests in the history of professional basketball?

The first first-ever NBA Slam Dunk Contest took place during the 1976 ABA All-Star Game, not in the NBA itself. It was held in Denver, Colorado, as a way to showcase the flashier style of play that the ABA was known for before it merged with the NBA. The NBA then officially introduced their first-ever contest in 1984 during All-Star Weekend, also in the city in Denver. Both contests played a huge role in making dunking an essential part of basketball culture.

Julius “Dr. J” Erving’s free-throw line dunk in the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest is one of the most iconic and influential dunks in basketball history. It was a defining moment that cemented dunking as an art form and set the stage for future high-flyers like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and Zach LaVine. For that reason alone, the ABA’s first-ever dunk contest is more significant than the NBA’s first effort (even though a 34-year-old Dr. J performed the same dunk in that one as well). However, it’s unquestionable that once Michael Jordan started participating, the NBA took dunk contests to a whole other level.  

Key Moments of the 1976 ABA Slam Dunk Contest:

  • Julius “Dr. J” Erving won the contest with his iconic free-throw line dunk, which later inspired future dunkers like Michael Jordan.
  • Other participants included David Thompson, Artis Gilmore, George Gervin, and Larry Kenon.
  • The contest was not a head-to-head elimination format, but rather a point-based system where each player attempted five dunks.
  • Dr. J’s free-throw line dunk was the highlight, as it was the first time a player had attempted such a dunk in a major event.

Key Moments of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest (1984)

  • Larry Nance won, defeating Julius Erving in the final round.
  • Nance introduced the two-ball dunk, where he dunked two basketballs in one leap.
  • The contest was structured as a head-to-head elimination tournament.

Now, go forth and conquer (slam dunk videos on YouTube.com we mean).

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FSM First Look: Unguarded by Scottie Pippen

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Scottie Pippen has been called one of the greatest NBA players for good reason.

Simply put, without Pippen, there are no championship banners—let alone six—hanging from the United Center rafters. There’s no Last Dance documentary. There’s no “Michael Jordan” as we know him. The 1990s Chicago Bulls teams would not exist as we know them.

So how did the youngest of twelve go from growing up poor in the small town of Hamburg, Arkansas, enduring two family tragedies along the way, to become a revered NBA legend? How did the scrawny teen, overlooked by every major collegiate basketball program, go on to become the fifth overall pick in the 1987 NBA Draft? And, perhaps most compelling, how did Pippen set aside his ego (and his own limitless professional ceiling) in order for the Bulls to become the most dominant basketball dynasty of the last half century?

In Unguarded, the six-time champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist finally opens up to offer pointed and transparent takes on Michael Jordan, Phil Jackson, and Dennis Rodman, among others. Pippen details how he cringed at being labeled Jordan’s sidekick, and discusses how he could have (and should have) received more respect from the Bulls’ management and the media.

Pippen reveals never-before-told stories about some of the most famous games in league history, including the 1994 playoff game against the New York Knicks when he took himself out with 1.8 seconds to go. He discusses what it was like dealing with Jordan on a day-to-day basis, while serving as the facilitator for the offense and the anchor for the defense.

On the 30th anniversary of the Bulls’ first championship, Pippen is finally giving millions of adoring basketball fans what they crave; a raw, unvarnished look into his life, and role within one of the greatest, most popular teams of all time.

FSM Books: Shoe Dog

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To steal an adjective often used by good ole’ Jim Ross (of WWE and AEW fame), Nike creator Phil Knight’s recent memoir Shoe Dog is a “slobberknocker” of an experience. One would have never expected Nike to overcome its somewhat humble beginnings, growing pains, and its lies – oh the many, many lies!

The beginning of Knight’s memoir finds him as a recent graduate of the Stanford School of Business. Unsure of what direction to go in life, he thinks about an assignment he completed in which he came up with his own business concept. He did well on the assignment and, since he is feeling a sense of urgency to figure things out in life (as many people do in their 20s), he decides to turn that assignment into a pursuit. His concept at Stanford was to import and export high quality running shoes. While this doesn’t appear to be a groundbreaking idea in 2020, Knight makes the reader aware just how ridiculous this seemed to others when he started his quest in 1962.

The “whatever it takes” approach is perhaps the most captivating reoccurring theme in Shoe Dog. It’s what sucks the reader in and keeps the pages turning at a somewhat phrenetic pace (don’t be surprised if you finish this book in 3 days or less). Phil Knight writes in a way that makes the reader feel they are a part of his unbelievable journey. By the end of his tale, the reader has jumped every hurdle, navigated every roadblock, and ultimately gets to celebrate the success of Nike alongside Phil Knight and friends. Of course, the reader’s experience comes from a distance and many years after the fact, but the feeling of being present at all times speaks to how well Shoe Dog is written.

Being present at all times means the reader is treated to some of these “whatever it takes” moments. Be prepared to battle a little anxiety as Phil Knight wiggles out of various sticky situations. These moments mostly occur during Nike’s infancy and often involve big fibs told by Knight. The ethics of Knight’s behavior during these situations are definitely up for debate. However, it must be noted that there was never malice in Knight’s actions. In fact, FSM would bet dollars to doughnuts that many entrepreneurs have told the same fibs. Without spoiling too much, get ready to join Phil Knight as he lies or stretches the truth when dealing with banks, suppliers, and manufacturers. Observe him as he travels overseas and secures a shoe contract for his company that doesn’t exist yet.

Sports fans may be surprised that athletes such as Michael Jordan are scarcely discussed in Shoe Dog. We started the memoir thinking a large portion of the story would include Nike’s major athletes and their impact on the company over the years. Aside from begrudgingly admitting these athletes were needed for purposes of advertising, Knight rarely deviates from talking about his own journey and his significance to the creation of Nike. By the end of Shoe Dog, it’s clear that Knight’s self-critical nature and baffling insecurity kept pushing Nike forward amidst seemingly insurmountable odds at times.

For those reading this memoir for guidance about business and/or life, you definitely won’t leave empty handed. Knight’s guidance is not delivered explicitly but found in his actions and self-reflection. For those reading for the purposes of entertainment, lace up your running shoes, take a deep breath, and prepare for the run of your life!

FSM Final Grade: A+

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