2K Games recently announced that NBA legend Kobe Bryant will be the cover athlete of the upcoming installment of the iconic game. The announcement came after months of speculation that Bryant could be made the cover athlete of NBA 2K24 to honor him for his iconic #24 jersey. This will be the Los Angeles Lakers legend’s fourth time on the cover of 2K and the fans around the world can’t wait for the release. A few days after the announcement, rare footage of a young Bryant throwing down monstrous dunks nonchalantly grabbed the attention of the fans.

Kobe came straight into the league from high school and turned heads with his athleticism. The 5x NBA champion topped off his rookie season by winning the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest.

Did Vince Carter steal the dunk from Kobe Bryant?

Kobe Bryant won the 1997 Slam Dunk Contest against fellow rookie Ray Allen and other stars. Interestingly, current Lakers head coach Darvin Ham also competed. Even though fans are aware of Bryant’s crazy bounce and athleticism, many fans might not be aware of the full extent of his dunking prowess.

Many consider Vince Carter the best dunker ever. Carter’s ability to pull off mind-blowing dunks during games and contests needs no introduction. The 8x NBA All-Star won the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest. Carter’s dunks in the contest are some of the most iconic and inspired generations to come. But did Kobe invent one of Carter’s most outlandish dunks?

A resurfaced video clip of an unseen dunk contest is doing the rounds on social media. Apparently, it was from NBA legend Magic Johnson’s Midsummer Nights in 1997. Stars like Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Ray Allen, Jerry Stackhouse, Penny Hardaway, Stephon Marbury, Brent Barry, and Michael Finley reportedly competed.

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With the athleticism of the young stars, there were some incredible dunks on display. Interestingly, Kobe was seen performing the elbow-in-the-rim dunk, which has shocked a lot of fans.

Fans couldn’t believe that Vince Carter didn’t invent the iconic dunk

Vince Carter’s elbow in the rim dunk during the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest had everyone confused. Everyone inside the arena was left speechless for a moment, trying to figure out what had happened because no one had seen that before. So fans now went wild after seeing Kobe Bryant performing the same dunk a few years before Carter. Here are some reactions:

https://twitter.com/LewSidRaps/status/1677892000274866176?s=20

A lot of fans wondered whether Bryant invented the dunk. However, one fan cleared the air and wrote, “Vince Carter did not steal this dunk from Kobe. The elbow dunk goes back on film back to as far back as 1986 with Roy Hinson. Barry Hardy, James Wilson deserve some love there too.”

Some fans, however, felt Tracy McGrady won the contest.

What are your thoughts on the resurfaced clip? Let us know in the comments.

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