The next step is your overall fitness. His first six seasons were played with the Atlanta Hawks before he was traded to the Sacramento Kings for Travis Mays, where he had his best years statistically and played as a starter from 1992–1995. Do these exercises every now and then (the days you do not run). Spud Webb remembers getting on the bus after winning the NBA slam dunk contest 35 years ago and getting a quick piece of advice from his Atlanta teammate at the time, Doc Rivers. Webb, who played in the National Basketball Association (NBA), is known for winning a Slam Dunk Contest despite being one of the shortest players in NBA history, being listed at 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) tall. One player, a 5-foot-7 rookie named Spud Webb, was a teammate of Wilkins, who had never seen Webb even attempt a dunk. 20 years ago Spud Webb turned the basketball world on its ear, defeating teammate Dominique Wilkins to win the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest in Dallas. The sellout crowd of 16,573 at Reunion Arena was chanting, “Spud, Spud, Spud!” as the judges decided on the final attempt by Dominique “The Human Highlight Film” Wilkins. It was rumored that Spud Webb’s first dunk came when he was just 5’4 in high school. Robinson went on to win, making him and Spud the only two people in NBA history under six feet tall to win a slam dunk contest. Repeat the motion a number of times. [5] He received his first opportunity to play on a college basketball team at Midland College (in Midland, Texas), where he led the Chaparrals to the junior college national title in 1982. He played half of the 1995-96 season with the Hawks before he was traded alongside Andrew Lang to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Christian Laettner and Sean Rooks. Steve Wells. In the championship game, Midland defeated top-ranked and previously unbeaten Miami-Dade North of Florida, 93-88, in double overtime. Webb was born into poverty in Dallas, Texas. As soon as you hit the ground, jump back up again. Or, you take up a real vertical program. It happened at the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest during Webb… He defeated Wilkins with two perfect 50-point scores in the final round. Spud Webb remembers getting on the bus after winning the NBA slam dunk contest 35 years ago and getting a quick piece of advice from his Atlanta teammate at the time, Doc Rivers. Twenty years after Webb's victory in the Slam Dunk contest, he trained New York Knicks point guard Nate Robinson (who stands at 5 feet 9 inches tall) to win the event. Spud Webb remembers getting on the bus after winning the NBA slam dunk contest 35 years ago and getting a quick piece of advice from his Atlanta teammate at the time, Doc Rivers. Webb tossed the ball to Robinson, who leaped over Webb and dunked, earning 50 points from the judges. However, Webb was drafted in the 4th round of the 1985 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. So, it's clear that you don't need to be very tall to dunk. Spud after winning Slam Dunk Contest Everyone in the competition became surprised with Spud’s performance after winning the contest, besides having other taller players from the audience participate. The defending NBA Slam Dunk Champion of 1986 was Dominique Wilkins. To find out, stand near to a wall and stretch your arm upright over your head. While pitting a 5-7 guard against Dominique Wilkins seemed like a … Anthony Jerome Spud Webb was born July 13, 1963, in Dallas, Texas. Throughout his life, Webb had to prove himself as a basketball player due to his relatively small stature. Sound cliche, right? [8], Webb at an Australian basketball exhibition in 1994, National Junior College Athletic Association, List of shortest players in National Basketball Association history, http://www.spudwebb.net/texas-legends.html#, Spud Webb Enrolls At Midland Junior College, Remembering NC State’s Spud Webb Winning the Dunk Contest, "Spud Webb to judge Slam Dunk Contest as part of NBA All-Star Weekend – ESPN Dallas", 2004 interview, "Catching Up with Spud Webb", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spud_Webb&oldid=1017271060, American expatriate basketball people in Italy, NC State Wolfpack men's basketball players, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 11 April 2021, at 20:43. Webb played 814 games in his NBA career, averaging 9.9 points per game, and registering 8,072 points and 4,342 assists in twelve seasons. Article Source: 3 times/ week; jump rope: 100 jumps 3 times a week). Despite his impressive high school record, Webb attracted little interest from colleges. Despite being one of the shortest players in NBA history, Spud managed to EXCEED EXPECTATIONS, battling dunk… 1 set of 8 reps 2 times/ week)! “That little son of … When you stick to it and do the exercises seriously, you should be able to dunk in less than 8 weeks. 88 Articles, By Most scouts predicted that Webb would end up playing in either Europe or for the Harlem Globetrotters because of his height. In 1986, he entered the ‘NBA Slam Dunk’ contest and became the shortest player in history to enter the contest. He got a chance to play on his junior high team only after two players did not complete physical exam requirements in time for the first game. He … Standing just 5-foot-7, the Atlanta Hawks' Spud Webb shocked the world by beating teammate Dominique Wilkins to win the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steve_Wells/98377, Recreation and Sports: Basketball [3] At Wilmer-Hutchins High School,[4] he played on the junior varsity team and made a large impact; when he made the varsity team, he averaged 26 points per game as a senior. It took place in his hometown, Dallas. It's all about the vertical jump - your vertical jump! He could dunk the ball when he was 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m) tall. Other, highly effective exercises are calf raises and squats, as they train the most important muscle groups in the jumping process. Most scouts predicted that Webb would end up playing in either Europe or for the Harlem Globetrotters because of his height. by Micah Hart. | He finished his career after one season with the Orlando Magic, ultimately retiring from professional basketball in 1997. Hawks.com Interview With Spud Webb. With a vertical leap of 42 inches, he stole the show and to date is the shortest player to ever enter the dunk contest. While he spent 12 seasons in the association, averaging 9.9 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, he’s most remembered for one performance in 1986. The message: Your life just changed forever. His participation surprised the local media houses, and he made waves after winning the competition against much taller players. We will never sell or rent your email address. Instead, he attended Midland Junior College in Texas, where he led his team to victory in the 1982 junior college championsh… At 5-foot-7, Spud Webb is the shortest man to win the NBA's All-Star Slam Dunk contest, which he did on Feb. 8, 1986. Webb led all scorers in with 36 points, shooting 10-15 from the floor and 16-18 from the line. Like many spectators, Dominique had never seen Spud Webb dunk before. Spud’s listed height of 5’7” compared to Dominique's height of 6'8" looked almost impossible to challenge. Webb scored 22 points in his first game. Do you remember Spud Webb winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1986? Jumping rope not only gives you explosiveness and calf strength but is also a great way to build stamina, and work on your overall leg strength. After retirement from basketball, Webb participated in the NBA Slam Dunk contest and became the shortest player in the history to enter the contest. Webb was not tall, but he used his quickness and jumping ability to outplay bigger kids. Now, mark the top point of your hand on the wall. If you don't agree at this point, you don't need to read any further. Personally, I can only recommend The Jump Manual http://www.howtodunk.org but you can also try other programs. As a high school player, he averaged 26 points per game and was one of 10 students out of 5,000 selected to the All-State team; however, his size prevented him from being recruited for Division 1-A colleges. His dunks included the elevator two-handed double pump dunk, the off-the-backboard one-handed jam, a 360-degree helicopter one-handed dunk, a reverse double-pump slam, and finally, the reverse two-handed strawberry jam from a lob bounce off the floor. However, being short is no excuse for not being able to dunk, as many short players such as Nate Robinson and Spud Webb have proved long ago that vertically-challenged athletes are still capable of flying high. His participation surprised the media; including his teammate and defending dunk champion Dominique Wilkins, who had "never seen me dunk before", Webb said. The distance between the two marks is you vertical. Important note: don't exaggerate (max. [1] He is currently the president of basketball operations for the Texas Legends, the NBA G League team for the Dallas Mavericks in Frisco, Texas.[2]. So, Wilkins maybe thought his normal assortment would be good enough to get through". In 1986, Spud Webb (5-foot-7) became the shortest player to win the slam dunk contest while Dwight Howard (6-foot-11) became the tallest player to win the dunk contest in 2008. In college, his vertical leap was measured at 42 inches (1.1 m). You also have to lose the extra pounds (if you have some). Standing at only 5'6"!, Spud beat the defending champion Dominique Wilkins with a variety of nasty dunks - a one-handed 360, a two-handed double pump and a 180 reverse double-pump just to name some. He was raised in a small two-bedroom home and saw basketball as an inspiration. After joining the Atlanta Hawks, Spud Webb put together a solid, if unremarkable NBA career. Former NBA slam dunk champion Spud Webb is pictured with a young fan during “An Evening with Bluefield State”, a fundraiser held on Thursday night at Fincastle on the Mountain. For that, go jogging and use the jump rope 3 times a week (jogging: minimum 45 min. Spud Webb remembers getting on the bus after winning the NBA slam dunk contest 35 years ago and getting a quick piece of advice from his Atlanta teammate at the time, Doc Rivers. Webb posted career highs of 16.0 points and 7.1 assists per game in his first season with the Kings. (NBA.com photo) Your legs must be strong enough to take up a vertical program. Michael Anthony Jerome "Spud" Webb (born July 13, 1963) is an American former professional basketball player. Spud Webb played in 814 games throughout his 12-year career in the NBA, but his biggest highlight didn't happen in any of those contests. [3] He played for NC State in the 1983-84 and 1984-85 seasons, averaging 10.4 points and 5.7 assists.[7]. They give him a … Webb posted career highs of 16.0 points and 7.1 assists per game in his first season with the Kings. This accuser is most damning for Deshaun Watson Spud Webb’s dunks included the elevator two-handed double pump dunk, the one-handed off the backboard one-handed jam, a 360-degree helicopter one-handed dunk, a 180-degree reverse double-pump slam, and finally, the 180-degree reverse two-handed strawberry jam from a lob bounce … He told Wilkins he never had anything prepared, didn't practice for it. Despite his diminutive stature, Webb took part in the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest. Ok, by now, you know where you're at and where you want to be. He also led the NBA in free throw shooting in his last season in Sacramento, shooting 93.4 percent in 1994-95 (after shooting 81.3 percent the previous season). [6] His performance at the tournament earned Webb a write-up in Sports Illustrated and national attention. former NBA Center Manute Bol? One of his most exciting dunks was a high-flying dunk over former Slam Dunk Contest winner, 5'7" Spud Webb. Put the hand down and mark your fingers with some chalk or paint. Steve Wells | Spud Webb remembers getting on the bus after winning the NBA slam dunk contest 35 years ago and getting a quick piece of advice from his Atlanta teammate at the time, Doc Rivers. Standing at only 5'6"!, Spud beat the defending champion Dominique Wilkins with a variety of nasty dunks - a one-handed 360, a two-handed double pump and a 180 reverse double-pump just to name some. Spud Webb remembers getting on the bus after winning the NBA slam dunk contest 35 years ago and getting a quick piece of advice from his Atlanta teammate at the time, Doc Rivers. It's all about the vertical jump - your vertical jump! Atlanta coach Mike Fratello said, "Spud kind of duped him. “Everywhere I go, even today, people are talking about it.” Spud wanted to quit, many would have but he continued to work hard and prove doubters wrong, working as hard as he could he was able to help the team make a run in the playoffs. After 2 or 3 weeks your legs should be prepared for a vertical program. [3] However, Webb was drafted in the 4th round of the 1985 NBA draft by the Detroit Pistons. “He wasn’t joking,” Webb said. Spud Webb's dunks highlighted All-Star Weekend at Reunion Arena in 1986. The 2006 Slam Dunk Contest was also the first Dunk Contest in history to have a "Dunk Off", the equivalent to a Dunk Contest overtime, between Knicks point guard Nate Robinson and shooting guard Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers . Webb was a judge for the 2010 Dunk contest in Dallas, at the American Airlines Center. Now, jump as high as you can and touch the wall with your hand. Webb attracted the attention of Tom Abatemarco, an assistant coach at North Carolina State University, who arranged for Webb to meet head coach Jim Valvano, who offered Webb a scholarship. Stand straight up, and jump as high as you can without bending your knees (they will bend slightly). Since Webb made his NBA debut, only two players have been shorter than he was: Muggsy Bogues and Earl Boykins. His first six seasons were played with the Atlanta Hawks before he was traded to the Sacramento Kings for Travis Mays, where he had his best years statistically and played as a starter from 1992–1995. In 1995, Webb was traded back to the Atlanta Hawks for Tyrone Corbin. And what matters most: you can train it! Starting in the seventh grade, Webb was told that he was too short to play basketball. It was the first time the event had been in Dallas since Webb's win in 1986. p.s. This exercise is very effective at strengthening your lower leg muscles. Webb was the shortest person to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, winning the event in 1986 at Dallas' Reunion Arena. Platinum Author You can increase your vertical leap. The key to developing an impressive vertical is consistent training and perseverance. In 1983, he was named an NJCAA All-American by the National Junior College Athletic Association. Spud Webb - Career stats, game logs, biographical info, awards, and achievements for the NBA and NCAA. Spud Webb had a 42-inch vertical - what is yours? So, it's clear that you don't need to be very tall to dunk. © 2021 EzineArticlesAll Rights Reserved Worldwide, Pot CEO Offers $10k Bounty to Get Lebron to His Comic-Con Booth, 3 Tips to Help You Buy Custom Basketball Jerseys, 8 Tips to Help You Buy the Best Basketball Shoes, Veronica Chika Iweanya-I Want to Play for The D'Tigress of Nigeria, Better Performance and Injury Prevention In Any Sport, Some Common Pre-Game Mistakes (Made by Friends, Family and Even Coaches), How to Light Up Your Backyard Basketball Court, Spud Webb Dunk Or How to Dunk a Basketball, https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Steve_Wells/98377, http://ezinearticles.com/?Spud-Webb-Dunk-Or-How-to-Dunk-a-Basketball&id=704325. When did the shortie first dunk. Submitted On August 26, 2007. Did you know Spud Webb once dunked over the 7'6'' (!)
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