Top 10 best SLAM magazine covers

[WillC]

Ben Osborne (current editor of Slam) and Ryan Jones (former editor) have both commented on this article, offering their feedback on their favourite covers...

Does anyone else here collect SLAM magazine? I thought the following article might be good for discussion during the lockout. What are other people's favourite SLAM covers of all-time? Or do you have a favourite cover of a different basketball magazine?

Top 10: http://basketballjournalist.blogspot.com/2011/08/top-10-most-iconic-slam-magazine-covers.html

[Rake2204]

I'll start by saying, as I always do, that I haven't been particularly intrigued by SLAM's writing nor the general setup of the magazine. I think the little blurbs they do (where they make comparisons between players and actors) is flat and uninteresting. I also find their player profiles and stories to oftentimes be quite generic, though I've sensed a will to change that recently. The Old School section or the stories from contributing authors (not SLAM staff writers) seem to have best held my attention over the past few years.

With all that said, I've collected the magazine since '97. The quality of material with which they're made combined with their wide array of sharp pictures and the ability for them to be used as time capsules (if one ever feels like reading a blurb on an up-and-coming high schooler named Tracy McGrady) makes SLAM magazines easy to hang on to. Each issue is kind of like a miniature book, so I'd feel bad if I were to just throw it away. There's still something cool about seeing the new SLAM cover to me.

Now, my totally biased contribution:

http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c0206902/352.jpg

I think it's cool when SLAM's covers aren't just players posing, seemingly upset with the world, while sitting on their Bentley with $2.5 million dollars worth the chains hanging from their neck. So NBA Finals covers tend to be winners for me, as they're action shots. Also, I thought the full red look was sweet, and I love the Pistons. Victory all around.

[StroShow4]

It's easily the Iverson one. /thread.

[Rose]

I absolutely agree with AI's number one cover. That's the first cover I think of when I think of Slam. Good Article.:applause:

[Big One]

It's easily the Iverson one. /thread.

My thoughts exactly.

[B-Low]

Obviously an oversight on the part of the article's writers

http://www.slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/issue-44-francis.jpg

[WillC]

Not an oversight. I considered each and every issue carefully when writing the article. It's a good cover... but not top 10 worthy. But that's just my opinion. I can see why you like it :pimp:

[B-Low]

I like it because it features one of the top 3 PG's of the past 25 years! (along with Jason Williams and the legend himself Pepe Sanchez)

[WillC]

Whatever happened to Pepe Sanchez?

[Rake2204]

Whatever happened to Pepe Sanchez?
I'm sure you already tried Wiki, but I couldn't resist taking a look myself. I couldn't find anything within the past two years but 1) I never realized he was 6'4'' and 2) I never knew his real name was Juan Ignacio Sanchez Brown.

Good stuff.

[PowerGlove]

I like the AI one and also the Lebron King Card one too.

[Toizumi]

http://www.arhenetwork.com/multimedia/c0206902/314.jpg

I remember being happy as sh*t when I got this issue. Good times. Nostalgia makes this my personal favorite (and my avatar).

I never had this issue, but man, this one below cover beats those 10 that SLAM picked IMO.. BOW DOWN!

http://www.slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/issue-20-pippen.jpg


With all this said.. HOOP > SLAM in my opinion.

[markymark]

nothing can get more badass than this

http://www.ice-dotcom.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Allen-Iverson-SLAM-ICEDOTCOM.jpg

[Sarcastic]

For me, I will always remember the first issue with Larry Johnson.

http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/1.jpg

[WillC]

I never had this issue, but man, this one below cover beats those 10 that SLAM picked IMO..

Slam didn't pick those top 10 covers. I did.

Slam editors (current and former) left their comments/feedback at the bottom.

[wang4three]

http://www.slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2006/08/issue-17-grant-hill.jpg

[wang4three]

Any one that puts Kerry Kittles on a cover is cool in my book.

http://www.yougotschooled.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/1998nets2.jpg
http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg0lzi3yO11qb6xqho1_400.jpg

[WillC]

Friday, you're right, that is an awesome Slam cover. That was about 11th or 12th on my list.

wang4three, that Grant Hill cover tagline ("just like Mike. Only better") was one of the most memorable in Slam history!

[winwin]

more covees please

[WillC]

more covees please

I own every cover of Slam, so if you want to see them all, here you go: http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/?start=all

[winwin]

I own every cover of Slam, so if you want to see them all, here you go: http://s1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/?start=all
thank you sir .. i just clicked the link

[Teanett]

It's easily the Iverson one. /thread.
:cheers:

[alenleomessi]

http://www.slamonline.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/Blake-Griffin.SLAM147.jpg

[get these NETS]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lg0lzi3yO11qb6xqho1_400.jpg


word

[CHi1PriDe]

Not to be biased or anything but look at the swag.. n/h

http://counterkicks.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/slam-issue-143-derrick-rose.jpg

[nbacardDOTnet]

I do not like LeBron anymore but I always liked this magazine cover.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2633/4031975103_2360c7144a_o.jpg

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/z%20Funny%20NBA%20Photos/Others%20Masterpiece/0%20queen%20lebron%20james/WADEs%20Pippen/dwyanewadesrobin.gif

[jlauber]

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn200/nbacardDOTnet/zz%20NBA%20Photo%20Gallery/z%20Funny%20NBA%20Photos/Others%20Masterpiece/0%20queen%20lebron%20james/WADEs%20Pippen/dwyanewadesrobin.gif

Damn, that's creative!

:applause:

[TheLogo]

I remembered when this first came out....
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/24.jpg

This was classic...
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/32.jpg

Straight swag....
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/74.jpg

I got this one...
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/97.jpg

Good one...
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/126.jpg

I want this one though...
http://i1132.photobucket.com/albums/m561/Will23C1982/Slam%20Magazine/132.jpg

[East_Stone_Ya]

I was a huge Brand homer and this cover made me :banana: back in the day

http://images.wikia.com/openserving/sports/images/1/14/SLAM_Feb02.JPG

[WillC]

I wish Slam made more covers like that. Those Clippers were pretty cool back then. Even though Darius Miles sucked, he was still exciting.

[Kobe 4 The Win]

My Favorite

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v78/IpreferKeaton/RodmanSlam.jpg

[Knicksfever2010]

http://www.ice-dotcom.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/ICEDOTCOM-King-Lebron-Knicks-Slam-Issue.jpg

[pauk]

http://www.arhenetwork.com/multimedia/c0206902/329.jpg

Sebastian Telfair... takeover? rule the world?

wtf....

:roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll: :roll:

[WillC]

Back in his HS days, Telfair was hyped as a really exciting young prospect out of New York. Obviously it's easy to laugh in hindsight, but I actually admire SLAM for sticking their neck out occasionally with their choice of cover subjects.

[Lebron23]

I have the Allen Iverson tracy mcgrady and rookie LeBron. By the way just submitted a CV on slam ph. Planning to be one of their head writers.

[oldtimer28]

I'll start by saying, as I always do, that I haven't been particularly intrigued by SLAM's writing nor the general setup of the magazine. I think the little blurbs they do (where they make comparisons between players and actors) is flat and uninteresting. I also find their player profiles and stories to oftentimes be quite generic, though I've sensed a will to change that recently. The Old School section or the stories from contributing authors (not SLAM staff writers) seem to have best held my attention over the past few years.

With all that said, I've collected the magazine since '97. The quality of material with which they're made combined with their wide array of sharp pictures and the ability for them to be used as time capsules (if one ever feels like reading a blurb on an up-and-coming high schooler named Tracy McGrady) makes SLAM magazines easy to hang on to. Each issue is kind of like a miniature book, so I'd feel bad if I were to just throw it away. There's still something cool about seeing the new SLAM cover to me.

Now, my totally biased contribution:

http://cdn.cloudfiles.mosso.com/c0206902/352.jpg

I think it's cool when SLAM's covers aren't just players posing, seemingly upset with the world, while sitting on their Bentley with $2.5 million dollars worth the chains hanging from their neck. So NBA Finals covers tend to be winners for me, as they're action shots. Also, I thought the full red look was sweet, and I love the Pistons. Victory all around.


Agreed. Very cool. Except no favourite cover for me.

[SouBeachTalents]

https://www.nba.com/kings/sites/kings/files/slam_blog_second.jpg

[Manny98]

https://i.postimg.cc/mkykhqxW/SLAM201.jpg

[fourkicks44]

I had every single one up till 2006.

I lost them in a silly bet with a friend.

I at least thought he would take good care of my collection.

His house got flooded some how.

They are all gone...

[fourkicks44]

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51YYvTCybkL._AC_SY400_.jpg

I know you might say I'm biased but this is the best to me.

One tattoo. That mid 90's Sixers Jersey, the one from his rookie year. First time the world had seen the cornrows. Taken at end of his rookie year in the league.

That is classic.

[nbalover123]

http://https://dlive.tv/NbaLiveStreamsOnlyhttps://thesportsrush.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Lou-Williams-partied-with-Jack-Harlow.jpg

[Shooter]

https://i.postimg.cc/mkykhqxW/SLAM201.jpg

When a new GOAT emerged

[KD7]

My personal favourite

https://i.postimg.cc/CL72kFYb/D2-HJTPw-W0-AA17l-C.jpg

[Gohan]

My personal favourite

https://i.postimg.cc/CL72kFYb/D2-HJTPw-W0-AA17l-C.jpg


Scrub with a crown.

[Ghost1]

https://www.bolha.com/image-w920x690/kosarka/slam-magazine-luka-doncic-cover-razprodana-stevilka-slika-6766164.jpg