Must-Miss TV

Published 12:00 am Sunday, February 17, 2013

The NBA slam dunk contest has become an afterthought. And this is sad because I remember when it was must-see TV. Don’t believe me? Quick, name a dunk contest winner of the last decade?

Ok, now take out Dwight Howard and Blake Griffin and name a dunk contest winner?

Here’s an easier one. Just name last year’s dunk contest winner?

See what I mean!

By the way, the answer to the last question is Jeremy Evans, who plays for the Utah Jazz.

I am on the downside of my 30s and always promised myself I wouldn’t turn into one of those old codgers who always wanted to spout off about how much better stuff was 25 or 30 years ago, but in this instance, it can’t be helped.

I still can name dunk contest winners from my childhood: Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, Dee Brown, and yes, the turning 50 Michael Jordan.

Each one were iconic in their own way with Wilkins redefining the sport with his slams, Webb showing a little man can still throw it down, Dee Brown providing the lasting image of pumping up his Reebok Pump shoes before covering his eyes for his winning dunk.

Speaking of iconic winning dunks, none is shown more than Jordan’s leap from the foul line and one-handed stuff.

The point I am trying to make is; these guys did not need to jump over cars (Griffin) or come out of phone booths wearing capes (Howard). Their dunks did all of the talking, It didn’t hurt that they were some of more exciting players on the court as well.

Fast forward to this year and there are unrecognizable names in the dunk contest. Really, since Kobe Bryant (1997) and Vince Carter (2000) won it, the contest has become unwatchable.

I remember one year when Chris Anderson missed a dunk so many times in the first round, it became painful for the viewer.

Also, stars do not compete against each other anymore. There was a time when Jordan would square off against Wilkins in the slam dunk contest. Now, if you do get a year when a superstar competes (like Griffin in 2011); it’s him against a bunch of NBA nobody’s.

Just once, I would like to turn on the TV on an All-Star Saturday and see Griffin, Howard, LeBron James, Kevin Durant and Derrick Rose competing against each other.

That is must-see TV.

Until then, I am left with reruns of yesteryear.