Michael Jordan was a part of some of the most iconic battles on the hardwood. Out of those battles came historic performances that are still talked about to this day. One of them was the Slam Dunk contest that MJ took part in which is still considered one of the best dunk contests of all time. Unfortunately, times have changed.
Now, players don?t feel the need to participate in Slam Dunk contests, robbing fans of an amazing experience. And that is why this NBA legend goes on to scrutinize players like Ja Morant and Zion Williamson.
An NBA legend looks back at his battle with Michael Jordan
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Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan?s Slam Dunk contest against Dominique Wilkins was arguably one of the best performances in the history of the league. But now, players have a tendency to not take part in it.
This led an Atlanta Hawks legend to chime in on the problem. Dominique Wilkins made an appearance on Vlad TV. That is where The Human Highlight Film shed some of his thoughts on players not participating in the dunk contest.
While talking, Wilkins said, ?I think the problem is that I don?t think anybody wanna know who the best is. I mean, we could come up with different things that try to make you figure out why you don?t wanna do it. But we wanted to know what the best was. When Michael and I went head up, we wanted to know who the best was.?
?And it really wasn?t about us. It was about the fans. We did it for the fans, we didn?t do it for us. Some of these great athletes and dunkers that you see during the regular season and don?t get in the dunk contest. I think a lot of times they feel like it?s gonna mess with their legacy and it?s not.?
Dominique Wilkins also went on to talk about the impact their initial Slam Dunk contest has had since then.
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Wilkins talks about his legacy after the Slam Dunk Contest
During the interview, Wilkins said, ?The fact that they?re talking about Jordan and my Slam Dunk Contest 30 – what – four years later, it lets you know that it was the greatest dunk contest ever because they?re still talking about it.??
?And there are still people who ask me every day, ?You know you won, don?t you? Who do you think won? Michael or you?? And the fact that people ask you those questions, I mean, 34 years removed, it?s pretty amazing.?
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Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan going head-to-head in the initial Slam Dunk contests were some of the best highlights that live up to this day. Both Jordan and Wilkins went on to win the contest twice. However, their legacy as some of the best dunkers in league history still lives on to this day.