We are in 1986, in Dallas, in the middle of an All-Star game to attend the Slam Dunk Contest. This is the third edition of this competition, won in 1984 by Larry Nance, and in 1985 by Dominique Wilkins.
The latter is also the big favorite in his own succession. The Hawks winger combines relaxation and power like no one at that time.
At his side for this competition, we find his brother (Gerald), the late Jerome Kersey, Paul Pressey, Roy Hinson, former Levallois player Terence Stansbury, and therefore a certain Anthony “Spud” Webb, rookie chosen in the 4th round. of the 1985 draft, the 60th anniversary of which is celebrated on July 13.
Regional of the stage since he was born in Dallas, Spud Webb is the smallest player in the league. Unknown to the general public, everyone wonders what a 1m70 boy is doing there, among the giants.
A pioneer
It’s 1986. No YouTube. No social networks. The Hawks do not necessarily have the favor of the national network, and they are few to have really seen him play.
Still, one try will be enough to silence everyone. The rest are mind-blowing dunks for a boy that size. Rarely have we seen such explosiveness and ease.
In front of an audience committed to his cause, Spud Webb won the competition against his teammate and favorite, Dominique Wilkins. Pioneer for a whole generation of players (Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, Nate Robinson or even Isaiah Thomas), he will prove that year that he was not just a dunker, turning at almost 10 points on average.
Nearly forty years later, Spud Webb has returned to Dallas where he is the president of the Texas Legends, the G-League franchise, the Mavericks’ little sister.
