Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.
When one of the best dunkers in NBA history tries to persuade you to enter the All Star Slam Dunk Contest, that should be the ultimate vote of confidence for the Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith to try and once again become a Dunk Champion. Hall of Famer, Dominique Wilkins has been trying to persuade Smith to once again enter the contest which he won back in 2005, by donning the Atlanta Hawks legend’s vintage #21 jersey and by doing Wilkins signature two footed windmill jams.
Smith hasn’t gone back to the event since losing in a repeat bid as champion to Nate Robinson, who dunked over Spudd Webb in ’06. That year, he did the famous “Tape Dunk” where he stuck a piece of masking tape at the elbow and took off from the foul line, a la Dr J many years before him. At age 24, Smith is still has plenty left in his spring-like legs and is still universally known around the league as one of the game’s best dunkers.
Upon entering the league straight from HS, Smith was initially known for just trying to dunk the basketball but has developed into a more all around player in recent seasons and is averaging 15+ ppg, 8 rebounds,and is among the league leaders in blocks at more than 2+ per game.
Smith showed amazing heigth and hangtime on his jams, especially for a big man(6’8), in his previous two dunk contests which are historically won by smaller contestants. His flare for showmanship by wearing Dominique’s jersey and dunking from the foul line made him a crown favorite in ’05 and ’06 and has fans around the league clamoring for the former champ to make a return to the event.
Wilkins over his long playing career is probably one of the Top 5 All Time in game dunkers in NBA history. But his epic battles with Michael Jordan during the late 80’s Dunk Contests during All Star Weekend made him a fan favorite in NBA arenas. In addition to his matchups with MJ, Wilkins has won the event 2 times, back in ’85 and ’90.
Smith is yet undecided if he will put his hat in the ring for another dunk crown but the constant urging from the Hawks legend has to have him leaning in the direction of participating. As confident as any player around the league, Smith told NBA Fanhouse that if he competes again, he will surely win…………….regardless of the competition.
Early rumors as to who would be competing in this year’s event in Dallas have ranged from 2 time Champion, Nate Robinson, the Lakers Shannon Brown, Smith, the Sixers Andre Iguodala and Rodney Carney, to even Lebron James. For those who remember from witnessing last year’s event, Lebron pledged on camera to participate this year’s event, but has tentatively not announced his final decision as of yet.
A preliminary lineup of returning champions in Robinson and Smith, along with the always entertaining Lebron James and Iguodala, or Dwight Howard, or Shannon Brown would make for a wildly entertaining event. Who would come out on top?
Josh Smith’s “Dominique” Dunk From ’05 Dunk Contest
