Michael Jordan Robbed us all of 2 GOAT Dunk Contests in 1989 and 1990 IMO.

[gengiskhan]

Just look at this.....

Dunk # 1 (weird, palmed, horizontally moving the ball 360 dunk). never seen a 360 dunk like this. He looks so strong here compare to 1987 and 1988

Dunk # 3 (half windmill, half double pump reverse). another weird dunk. he literally dunking with his whole body.

Dunk # 4 (FT line dunk. does "scissoring" of the legs variation. also dribbling all the way)

Dunk # 5 (FT line dunk another variation. this time legs spreading and kicking like eagle)


https://youtube.com/shorts/0_cwet1sEak?si=DC01CUDL5bQyLoT0

All of these dunks are perfect 50.

MJ at ages 26 and 27 is much stronger, more athletic than dunk contest winning MJ of 1987 and 1988.

Now, I really wish 1988 dunk contest should've been won by Nique.

Imagine how angry 1989 and 1990 MJ would've been. He would've definitely participated especially in 1990 contest to revenge 1988 loss to Nique.

we would've seen all these variations of windmill too.


https://youtube.com/shorts/76xkFo8kSl0?si=iVAuJsCyS27qRu_V

[MrFonzworth]

Knowing what kind of athlete he was makes 1-9 all the more pathetic

[Nowoco]

Disagree. I think when you've won the dunk contest once, don't come back. I'm glad MJ didnt come back after 88 or Vince after 2000 or even Kobe after 97. If Vince came back, the hype would be off the charts and even he could only disappoint from there. The 2000 dunk contest is immortalised because he put on the best show we'll ever see and didnt come back. Less is more.

Otherwise you have situations like that midget Nate boring us the death with his bullshit year after year. When you've won, you're done.

[Baller234]

The dunk contest was the best when it was honest and unassuming. If you watch those early contests there's very little spectacle to them. Just the league's most popular stars having a dunk off. No fancy light shows or TNT shenanigans. It felt genuine.

The more spectacle there is, the more over the top the production is, the more the dunks fail to meet expectations. Now you have to do something totally mindblowing or else who cares. Back then we weren't looking for them to do something mindblowing. It helped, but really we were awed by their ability and their technique. Dominque was just doing windmills out there, but it was how he did them. His combination of fluidity and power. Or Jordan with his body contortions and what he did with his legs, his otherworldly grace.

It was stars showing they were stars and what made them special. It's what helped grow the popularity of the league.