The Slam Dunk is Back

The dunk contest is back, my friends. Thanks in large part to Super Man Dwight Howard.  The dunk contest originated in the ABA in 1976 but because of the merger with the NBA later that year, it was the only year the ABA had the contest. In 1984 the dunk contest was introduced into the NBA at its All Star Game. Julius Irving was the first winner of the dunk contest, winning with his famous dunk from the free-throw line. The dunk contest was highly popular throughout the '80s with winners such as the human highlight film Dominique Wilkins and the shortest contest winner Spud Webb.  Michael Jordan validated himself as the greatest dunker ever with back-to-back wins in '88 and '89.  The dunk contest waned in popularity in the mid 1990's. Come on, when someone like Brent Barry wins the contest (1996), it is apparent the contest is in need of a tweek. After Kobe won the contest in 1997, the dunk contest took a two-year break.  The contest was back in 2000, gathering great ... (link)