A slam dunk in basketball is a shot that requires a player to jump high and slam the ball through the rim into the net.
What is a slam dunk in basketball?
“Slam Dunk” is one of the most electrifying maneuvers in basketball. It is a shot where a player jumps high enough to force the ball through the rim using one or both hands.
Key Takeaways
A slam dunk is often done by the tallest players or the ones with the highest vertical leaps.
It is considered the highest percentage shot in basketball.
To be able to execute a slam dunk, a player has to have decent athletic abilities like running and jumping (and a little height doesn’t hurt).
As exciting as a slam dunk is, it is still worth just two points, like a layup or a mid-range shot.
From a tactical perspective, a slam dunk can influence a momentum shift in a basketball game.
How to Dunk if You’re Short Video
The biggest obstacle in doing a slam dunk is one’s lack of height. Yes, it is a hurdle but hardly an insurmountable one. Remember that some who became NBA Slam Dunk champions were relatively short basketball players. It all boils down to proper technique and conditioning. This video explains how to complete a slam dunk even height is not in your favor.
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FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the jam.
Who did the first slam dunk?
There are two answers to this question. First, the first person to dunk in a college basketball game was Bob Kurland of Oklahoma A&M. In a 2012 interview, Kurland said the first dunk was not intentional at all. He was just trapped by the defense under the basket where there was nothing he could do but to ‘stuff it in.’
But well before that NCAA game, Joe Fortenberry did the first dunk in training for the 1936 Olympics. Somebody described it as though someone ‘dunked a roll into a cup of coffee.’
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Who was the first woman to do the slam dunk?
The answer is Georgeann Wells. On December 21, 1984, Wells, who played for West Virginia University, became the first woman to dunk in an official NCAA game.
In the WNBA, the first to do it was Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks in 2002. However, Liz Cambage decided to one-up Leslie. She was known as the first woman to dunk in a WNBA All-Star Game (2018) and the Olympics (2012).
Who coined the term “slam dunk?”
The dunk was known as a “dunk shot” before the late great Lakers announcer Chick Hearn called it “slam dunk.” Hearn used the term while calling a Lakers game back in 1972.
What are some tactical advantages of the “slam dunk?”
Aside from bringing the crowd to its feet and changing the complexion of the game, a slam dunk offers many advantages. Since doing a slam dunk requires someone to “go up strong,” he is often given the benefit of the doubt. This leads to more foul calls in the offensive player’s favor.
Why was the slam dunk illegal back then?
The NCAA banned dunking for ten years because of two main reasons. First, they deemed it was not a skillful shot. The second is to prevent injuries. The NCAA pointed out 1,500 cases of injuries the season prior because of dunking. Many believed the real reason was to control the dominance of Lew Alcindor, who frequently dunked on opponents in his first year at UCLA. Thus, the dunking ban was known in basketball circles as the “Lew Alcindor rule.” Alcindor, of course, later converted to Islam and changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
The Best Dunks in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest Video
Evolution of the Slam Dunk
Gone are the days when the slam dunk was only for tall people. In the history of NBA Slam Dunk contests, 5-foot-7 Spud Webb and 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson became champions. Robinson did it three times, becoming the only player to do so.
Slam Dunks are also done, not solely for the purpose of scoring but entertaining. Modern players have developed various slam dunk moves such as the windmill, 360s, self-alley oop, elbow dunks, and between the legs. Whether you like it or not, the slam dunk remains the single most entertaining move in basketball.
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