Inhistoric: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Around SBN: SB Nation MMA Rankings for August 2010

Today in Sports History: February 8th

1986-spud-webb_medium

(Webb going up for a dunk. Photo by Stephen Dunn, Getty Images)

2/08/1986 - Webb wins slam dunk contest

There were many great moments in the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest in the 1980's. There was Michael Jordan's free-throw takeoff, his sideline one-hander, Dominique Wilkins' double-pump jam, and Terence Stansbury's Statue of Liberty. But only one man made a career out of his slam dunk performance, and that man was Spud Webb.

At the 1986 dunk contest, Spudd went up against Atlanta teammate Domique Wilkins, who was the defending-champion. At 5-foot-7, Webb was not only the smallest player in NBA history, he was a foot smaller than both Michael Jordan (who was not competing) and Wilkins. But Spud had the crowd and a 42-inch vertical leap on his side, and he demonstrated both with flawless precision. At one point he even pulled off a 360-degree spin, impressive considering he couldn't palm the basketball. When it was all said and done, Webb had stunned everyone and was declared the winner of the event.

"I'm proud to be his teammate," said Wilkins. "He's the best little guy I ever saw. ... I scored over 45 on all my dunks but he got 50's so what are you going to do? Everybody likes to see a little guy do well. And he did a lot of dunks guys 6-7 and 6-8 can't do."

Asked how he was able to dunk so high, Webb said, "I haven't the slightest idea. When I find out I'm going to write a book about it. I guess it's just God-given talent."

It was the defining moment for Webb, who spent the majority of his 13-year career coming off the bench for the Atlanta Hawks. He later spent time with Sacramento, Minnesota and Orlando. A year after his dunk, Webb's distinction as the smallest player in history was lost to Muggsy Bogues, a 5-foot-3 point guard who was drafted by the Washington Bullets.

0 recs  |  Comment 0 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

This is Inhistoric, the ultimate resource in what happened on this day in sports history. To find out all you need to know about the site, click here for the FAQ.

Start posting on Inhistoric »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recent FanPosts

Zixpk9_small
A Brief History of Sports Down the Ages
Prosser_small
This date in soccer history, 8/25/2004
Small
A Lou Piniella Story to Commemorate His Retirement
Slam_small
More new SBN blogs
Slam_small
Big Ben's excuse is all sorts of lame

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

SBNation.com Recent Stories

PITTSBURGH - AUGUST 25:  Byron Leftwich #4 of the Pittsburgh Steelers warms up prior to the preseason game against the Carolina Panthers on September 2 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

Steelers Quarterback Byron Leftwich Leaves Game With Left Knee Injury

Photo link

In Progress: Miami Leads Florida A&M 35-0 At The Half

Photo link

In Progress: Pitt And Utah Scoreless In First Quarter

More from SBNation.com >


Managers

Slam_small ZombieMonta