Saturday night I had the pleasure of watching what is hopefully the return of the NBA Dunk Contest to its old form. Much of this can be credited to the NBA’s new man-child Dwight Howard and his Superman Dunk, definitely one of the Top 5 dunks of all time along with those of Dr. J, His Airness, The Human Highlight Film and Vincanity. But watch again and pay close attention to minutes 2:14 – 2:21 (update 3/29/08, the NBA restricted the original link, perhaps because of the mass hysteria this blog caused over it, so you'll have to take my word on this, I've replaced the link so you can still enjoy the dunk itself). With a New Orleans crowd going insane, TNT announces and judges alike beside themselves and Dwight’s agent already counting the endorsement money, NBA officials couldn’t make Howard put his Orlando jersey back on fast enough. These are the same NBA officials who wouldn’t let Howard dunk on a 12 foot hoop, why? Who knows?
With the league in the shadow of The Brawl at the Palace, the Tim Donaghy cheating scandal, legal issues with the likes of Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson and countless players with children with countless women (see Shawn Kemp), I can understand why David Stern has instituted some of the measures he has. Corporate sponsors drive the leagues behavior whether we like it or not; from the hesitation to incorporate the ever-present “hip-hop culture” to its new motto “Where Amazing Happens” from “It's Faaaannnntastic” to expanding the NBA oversees, it's all about the NBA, its image, and dollars.
With this said, this is still a game, it is still entertainment and All-Star weekend is still an exhibition. Whoever is advising David Stern against promoting the wearing of a Superman Cape, playing the Superman theme song during the dunk, or even allowing the hoop to be raised to 12’ is playing scared. As important as it is to know when to do something, it’s equally as important to know when not to do something. In this instance the NBA should have sat back and allowed one of their blossoming stars to shine as bright as possible. Opportunity lost…..
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2 comments:
I think the real crime was calling the hoard dunk a dunk at all. He was four feet away and threw the ball in. What is the definition of a dunk anyway? In my mind that was closer to a jumper than a dunk. But still really, really impressive athletically.
So right M, it was a throw in dunk or as I like to call it "A Clark Kent Dunk". Superman would have jumped from the free throw line, grab/pull down the front of the rim as the ball ripped thru the net.
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