As a disclaimer, I must admit that pro hoops is my least favorite of the four major sports which was not aided by the Knicks swan-dive into obscurity. However, there are some basketball moments that are forever ingrained in my head as I can remember exactly where I was when they happened (not easy now for my 35-year-old self!):
1) John Starks’ dunk over Michael Jordan in the 1993 playoffs against the Bulls. Although they lost that series, who can forget the fake and subsequent baseline jam -with his left hand! – that left two Bulls in the dust. As Marv Albert said “Yes!” YouTube – John Starks dunks on the Bulls NBA Playoffs 1993 FULL
2) The Dream Team which played for the USA in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. Although not technically an NBA moment, I remember watching that tournament and thinking it was the best team ever assembled regardless of sport – Jordan, Bird, Ewing, Magic, Barkley, Pippen, Malone, Stockton…I still can’t imagine how the late Chuck Daly decided who to put out there! Their average margin of victory was an astounding 44 points on the way to the Gold medal but the Dream Team was also the starting point for pros playing in future Olympics.
3) The “Malice in the Palace” otherwise known as the Pistons-Pacers brawl from the 2004 season was unbelievable on many levels. The most obvious was the involvement of fans as Ron Artest wanted retribution for having a cold drink thrown on him and stupidly decided to enter the stands. The subsequent arrests and suspensions not to mention injuries sustained by fans set off an era of increased security during games. I’m sure David Stern still cringes at the thought of it…YouTube – Malice in The Palace
4) Vince Carter’s 2000 all-star dunk contest appearance was, until yesterday, the best display of athleticism I’d ever seen. I can still remember sitting in a bar watching this with friends and being rendered speechless. In fact, I think the entire bar was silent. That between-the-legs windmill was even better to me that Jordan’s iconic foul line dunk which appeared on countless Nike posters. Even the other NBA players couldn’t believe it! YouTube – vince carter dunk
With that in mind, my Dad sent me a link to last night’s dunk competition as, being in London, I couldn’t watch live. Blake Griffin (who is unfortunate enough to play for the Clippers) reignited my interest in the NBA as that final dunk over the car was so outrageous that you can’t help but pay attention to a player like that. I can remember when his Oklahoma team lost to UNC in the NCAA tournament which the latter ultimately won. All the talk focused on the Hansbrough-Griffin match-up (Griffin’s stats were better) but a couple of years later, who are we talking about? I think Griffin has the potential to be his generation’s best player if only he can get away from the Clippers…
Once again, Clippers rookie Blake Griffin dunks over high expectations – Lee Jenkins – SI.com
