In the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, fans were eagerly awaiting a name. Dominique Wilkins, holder of the previous year’s title and leading scorer in the league, had decided to join and try to win the title for the second time. The only problem was that his Atlanta Hawks teammate, Spud Webb, had something different in mind.

Just by entering the tournament, Spud had already set a record by being the shortest NBA basketball player to join the dunk contest at just 5 feet 7 inches. Fans were truly amazed at the diminutive size of Spud Webb as he lined up with his fellow slam dunk competitors. He was the only player standing under 6 feet. Dominique Wilkins himself towers much higher than him at 6 feet 8 inches.

As expected, the tournament immediately turned into an exciting spectacle. Two famous basketball players competed against each other while showing off some of the best slam dunks in NBA history. But Spud Webb prevailed and took home the dunk championship that night. If you watch the reels of the video, you can see the happiness on Dominique’s face because his teammate hit him.

The Human Featured Movie

Dominique Wilkins is a joy to watch every time he has the ball, whether it’s dribbling it, making an easy layup or nailing a thunderous dunk. Always a great scorer, he has been consistently ranked as one of the most prolific scorers in NBA history. He also holds the record for making the most free throws during a regular season game without a single miss. It was during an Atlanta Hawks and Chicago Bulls game in 1992 that he made 23 free throws.

Dominique Wilkins and Spud Webb’s 1986 dunk duel wasn’t the only one he was best known for. It was his rivalry with Michael Jordan for the Slam Dunk title that basketball fans have enjoyed one of the best dunks in tournament history. It was during one of these matchups that Jordan made his famous dunk from the free throw line.

Dominique won the Slam Dunk Championship first in 1985 and then again five years later in 1990 against Kenny Smith.

He was drafted by the Utah Jazz in 1982, but stated his intention not to play for the team. The Jazz then traded him to the Atlanta Hawks, where Dominique played the best years of his professional career. It was during his time as the Hawk that he was voted a nine-time NBA All-Star.

After playing for Atlanta for 11 years, he then moved to the Los Angeles Clippers, followed by the Boston Celtics, a stint in Greece, then the San Antonio Spurs, and then the Orlando Magic.

He was plagued by injuries which resulted in his stats being reduced in later years. But this would not be enough to spoil his stellar records as the ‘Human Highlight Film’ that has dazzled basketball fans of every generation with his sky-high dunks and scoring skills. And of course, for that fateful night in 1986 with Spud Webb and the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.