Saturday, February 19, 2011

Looking back on The Human Highlight Film's great dunking

Two days before the 2011 Slam Dunk Competition , we look back 26 years ago when “The Human Highlight Film” Dominique Wilkins won his first of two slam dunk titles . He achieved this feat by beating Michael Jordan after three rounds. Five years later he defeated Kenny Smith in the final becoming the second two-time winner of the Slam Dunk Competition. The first title was won in Indianapolis where he displayed his impressive 42” vertical leap. He easily won the first round with two 49 point dunks. In the semi-final, Wilkins and Jordan placed 1st an 2nd and made into the finals . Wilkins ultimately won the final with his signature dunk, the two-handed windmill. This created a dunk competition rivalry between Wilkins and Jordan.

In 1990, Wilkins returned for his fifth try at the competition. This time he dueled with guard Kenny Smith. Wilkins defeated him by less than 2 points.

Wilkins' career was all about consistency and his ability to hold up the team even though he was not surrounded by great players. His career stats are worthy of one of the NBA’s greats. In 2006, he was inducted in the Hall of Fame establishing him as one of basketball's legends.

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