A blast from the past from NBA All-Star weekend.
The year is 2008. It is the NBA dunk contest. There were numerous outstanding dunks such as Dwight Howard’s iconic Superman dunk. The 2008 NBA Dunk Contest revitalized the event and is regarded as one of the best dunk contests in the 2000s.
Dwight Howard – Superman Dunk
Dwight’s most iconic dunk of the night was when he donned a Superman cape and leaped from just inside the free-throw line to finish with a thunderous one-handed jam. The dunk was jaw-dropping because of his height (6’11”) and his sheer athleticism. It’s a moment that’s still remembered as one of the greatest dunks in history.
Nate Robinson – The 5’9” Dunker
Nate Robinson, standing at just 5’9”, was the smallest player in the contest, but he proved his immense leaping ability. He pulled off a dunk over Spud Webb, the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest champion, which was an incredible tribute to the legend. Nate was also known for his acrobatic and creative dunks, and his energy lit up the crowd.
Gerald Green – Cupcake dunk
Coming off a dunk contest win in 2007, Gerald Green’s performance in the 2008 NBA Dunk Contest is one of the most memorable in history. He participated in the 2007 NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a member of the Boston Celtics. However, Gerald’s most memorable dunk came a year later as a member of the Minnesota Timberwolves during the 2008 NBA Dunk Contest. In the 2008 contest, Green dunked over a table with a birthday cake on it and pulled off a unique gesture by blowing out the candle on the cupcake.
Although Gerald Green ultimately lost the 2008 Dunk Contest to Dwight Howard, his cupcake dunk lives on in the memory of countless NBA fans, and for me is one of the many reasons why Gerald Green was my favorite Rocket for many years. Gerald Green’s emergence on the Houston Rockets during the 2017-2018 NBA season alongside the exciting play of James Harden and Chris Paul led me to become a superfan. Moreover, Gerald Green is also the namesake of my cat Gerald, who my brother and I found under a car during the pandemic. Hope You all have a lovely rest of your All-Star Weekend and let us know your favorite NBA All-Star Weekend memories.
