Image via Complex Original
Tonight's Dunk Contest kicks off the real start of NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando. That's right, FOH with the Celebrity Game or Rising Stars Challenge. The events that everyone looks forward to are the contests which actually feature, you know, All-Stars!
From the first All-Star Game in 1951 to the more recently adopted Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Competition, The Association has offered us various acts of brilliance from best to ever play the game. In anticipation for all the action, we bring you the best highlights that have made the All-Star festivities the best in sports. From Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins in the Dunk Contest to Magic Johnson's return in 1992, here are The 20 Greatest Moments in NBA All-Star Weekend History.
Follow @Complex_Sports for more news and commentary.
20. Jason Richardson Disrespects Carlos Boozer
Year and Host City: 2003, Atlanta
If you think the All-Star Game lacks quality defense, where does that leave the Rookie Challenge? A competition, or lack thereof, that pits the rookies of the NBA against the sophomores of the league consistently looks like an easy game of 5-on-5. However, in 2003, Jason Richardson turned it into the AND1 Mixtape Tour when he bounced the ball off of Carlos Boozer's face. Where's the guy on the mic when you need him?
19. Isiah Goes H.A.M.
Year and Host City: 1986, Dallas
In the presence of the many legends that stood out, it was Isiah Thomas who shined the brightest during the 1986 NBA All-Star Game. Racking up 31 points to go along with his 10 assists, Thomas won the MVP honors. As a player, not many played the point as well as Zeke, as a GM, ehhh.
18. T-Mac Tosses An Alley-Oop...To Himself
Year and Host City: 2002, Philadelphia
What makes Tracy McGrady's alley-oop to himself off-the-backboard dunk so special is that it wasn't done in front of a bunch lesser known NBA players. Instead, T-Mac made a fool of the Western Conference All-Stars with that slam. Words of wisdom for JaVale: The All-Star game is one of the few acceptable times to pull out fuckery like this, not during the regular season when your squad is the laughing stock of the league.
17. The Merger Game
Year and Host City: 1977, Milwaukee
If it weren't for the ABA merging with the NBA, an All-Star Weekend probably would have never existed. Luckily, in 1976, the two sides reached an agreement and the Three-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk Competition came along for the ride. We are eternally thankful for that.
16. The Legend of Tom Chambers
Year and Host City: 1987, Seattle
When mentioning the players who have won the Most Valuable Player award for the NBA All-Star Game, plenty of big-name ballers stand out. But in the mix of all the MVP awards that have been handed out to the likes of Jordan and Kobe, there is Tom Chambers. In 1987, Chambers surprised everyone, except his hometown crowd of Seattle, and dropped 34 points in the West's overtime victory against the East, 154-149. Who said white boys can't hoop? Certainly not us.
15. Brent Barry Proves White Men Can Jump
Year and Host City: 1996, San Antonio
Nah, this wasn't Woody Harrelson but the cameras were rolling and there was a white boy with crazy hops on this crazy night in Alamodome. During the 1996 Slam Dunk Contest, Brent Barry debunked a popular myth when he flew from the free throw line and jammed it home on his first attempt of the night. Way to make your fellow white dunkers proud.
14. Craig Hodges Drops 19 Three-Pointers In A Row
Year and Host City: 1991, Charlotte
Aside from being an outspoken athlete off the court, Craig Hodges had a lethal jumpshot. During the 1991 Three-Point Shootout, Hodges proved just how deadly he can be with the J when he drained 19 shots in a row. He had the NBA Jam "On fire!" stroke working for him that night.
13. Jordan vs. Kobe
Year and Host City: 1998, New York City
During the 1998 All-Star Game and in the Mecca of basketball, could there have been a better place to witness the passing of the torch from Michael Jordan to Kobe Bryant? At only 19 years old, Kobe squared off against Jordan and while MJ won the MVP for the game, many people took notice of the young kid reppin' for the Lake Show. So, can we finally end the damn Kobe vs. Jordan debate? 6 > 5. #nuffsaid
12. Superman Is Born
Year and Host City: 2008, New Orleans
During the 2008 Slam Dunk Competition, Dwight Howard stepped inside a toll booth and the often times disputed nickname was born. From that moment on, people have referred to Howard as Superman...much to the well-known chagrin of Shaquille O'Neal.
11. Larry Bird Is Mr. Three-Point Shootout
Years: 1986, 1987, 1988
You cannot talk about the greatest moments in All-Star Weekend history without mentioning Larry Bird. His dominance in the Three-Point Shootout (1986-1988) was the stuff legends are made of. In fact, it is believed that before one of contests, Bird stepped in the locker room and asked his competitors who was going to come in second place. #KING
10. A.I. Leads the East on a 21-point Comeback
Year and Host City: 2001, Washington, D.C.
With only nine minutes left in the 2001 NBA All-Star Game, the East was down 95-74. Many players probably would've folded and called it a night, but that is when Allen Iverson took over and truly earned the game's Most Valuable Player award by scoring 15 of his 25 points. In the end, the East pulled off the improbable comeback and won 111-100. Hey A.I., speaking of improbable comebacks...oh, let's not go there.
9. Where It All Began: The Inaugural Game
Year and Host City: 1951, Boston
In order to understand where we are today, we gotta take a look back at the first one that started it all. The idea of having an exhibition game that mirrored the MLB All-Star Game where the best players in the league would square off was conceived by NBA publicity director Haskell Cohen. NBA President at the time, Maurice Podoloff, didn't think it would bode well but when Boston Celtics owner Walter A. Brown offered to host the game and to cover all the expenses, the game was a go.
8. Marvin Gaye Singing the National Anthem
Year: 1983, Inglewood, Calif.
Before Whitney Houston's amazing rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" during Super Bowl XXV, Marvin Gaye's version was the benchmark for how it should be done. But enough of us talking about it, just listen. Who knew that the national anthem can be remixed into baby-making music?
7. Shaq Emasculates David Robinson
Year and Host City: 1996, San Antonio
This scenario is exactly what the All-Star game is all about: Two of the league's most dominant players going right at each other for nothing but bragging rights. By the time the '96 game rolled around, David Robinson had already been named to five consecutive A.S. rosters and had won the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year award. All that didn't matter though when Shaq came storming down the lane to deliver one of the most vicious facials in All-Star Game history. Hometown advantage? FOH with that.
6. Jerry West Hits The Game-Winner
Year and Host City: 1972, Inglwood, Calif.
They don't call him Mr. Clutch for nothing. With the 1972 All-Star Game tied at 110, West took the ball and did what he does best: hit the clutch shot when it matters most. Game. Over. #antilebron
5. Little Man Can Dunk
Year and Host City: 1986, Dallas
Standing at only 5-foot-7, Spud Webb is probably one of the last players you would expect to win a dunk contest. But in the 1986 competition, Spud defied the odds defeating his teammate, Dominique Wilkins, and becoming the shortest person to ever win the contest. The rest of the folks on this list need to pay homage.
4. Vinsanity and the Slam Dunk Contest
Year and Host City: 2000, Oakland, Calif.
When Vince Carter competed in the 2000 Slam Dunk Competition, everyone knew that it was going to be a match made in heaven. At the time, VC was known for his high-flying jams and the contest would just spotlight those attributes. When the night rolled around, Carter did not disappoint and gave everyone one highlight dunk after another.
3. Dr. J Attempts The First Ever Free-Throw Line Dunk
Year and Host City: 1976, Philadelphia
Even though the first-ever dunk contest took place during halftime of the ABA All-Star game, Julius Erving's slam from the free-throw line set the bar for the future of competitors. Duplicated many times over, but there's nothing like the original.
2. Jordan vs. Dominique
Year and Host City: 1988, Chicago
Before it became the joke that it is today, the slam dunk competition was kind of a big deal. No, a really, really, really big deal. In the 1987 edition, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins battled it out for the second of three times to see who was the best leaper in the NBA. On his 3rd and last dunk of the evening, Jordan showed where the Air Jordan moniker came from.
1. Magic Returns
Year and Host City: 1992, Orlando
Right before the start of the 1991-92 NBA season, Magic Johnson tested positive for HIV and abruptly ended his professional career. However, Magic made a surprise return to the court to play in that year's All-Star Game after being voted in by the fans. Even though some NBA players stressed their concerns over possibly contracting the virus, Johnson still laced up his high-tops and showed why he's called "Magic." After leading the West to a 153–113 win, he was awarded the All-Star MVP having racked up 25 points with 9 assists and 5 rebounds.