Since the All-star Game is in Phoenix this weekend, the NBA has decided to use all ex-Phoenix Suns players as judges for the Slam Dunk Contest. Normally the league has used dunk contest legends like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Dr. J, Kenny Smith, etc. as the judges. The Hoop Doctors have been told by Dunk Contest organizers that this year the judges will include Suns greats Dan Majerle, Tom Chambers, Kevin Johnson, Cedric Ceballos, and Larry Nance. Nance and Ceballos both won the dunk contest themselves as members of the Phoenix Suns in 1984 and 1992 respectively.
Tom Chambers and Kevin Johnson have both earned themselves highlight reel dunks in games that have been considered to be some of the greatest dunks of all time. While Dan Majerle could get up over the rim, he was more known for his outside shooting skills as a clutch 3-point bomber.
Although I’m sad that I won’t see the likes of MJ and Dr. J judging this year, it should be nice to get some new blood in behind the scorers table, and keeping with the theme of Phoenix and the Suns. Here are the past winners of the dunk contest:
* 2008 (New Orleans) – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
* 2007 (Las Vegas) – Gerald Green, Boston Celtics
* 2006 (Houston) – Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
* 2005 (Denver) – Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
* 2004 (Los Angeles) – Fred Jones, Indiana Pacers
* 2003 (Atlanta) – Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
* 2002 (Philadelphia) – Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
* 2001 (Washington, D.C.) – Desmond Mason, Seattle SuperSonics
* 2000 (Oakland) – Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors
* 1999 – Lockout – Shortened Season, No NBA All Star Game
* 1998 – No Slam Dunk Competition
* 1997 (Cleveland) – Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
* 1996 (San Antonio) – Brent Barry, Los Angeles Clippers
* 1995 (Phoenix) – Harold Miner, Miami Heat
* 1994 (Minneapolis) – Isaiah Rider, Minnesota Timberwolves
* 1993 (Salt Lake City) – Harold Miner, Miami Heat
* 1992 (Orlando) – Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix Suns
* 1991 (Charlotte) – Dee Brown, Boston Celtics
* 1990 (Miami) – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
* 1989 (Houston) – Kenny Walker, New York Knicks
* 1988 (Chicago) – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
* 1987 (Seattle) – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
* 1986 (Dallas) – Spud Webb, Atlanta Hawks
* 1985 (Indianapolis) – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
* 1984 (Denver) – Larry Nance, Phoenix Suns
