The Nba Slam-dunk Competition

THE NBA SLAM-DUNK COMPETITION continues to make highlight reels year after year as players get more creative with their high-flying antics. But perhaps no dunk contest will ever be as memorable as the 1986 showdown between Spud Webb and Dominique Wilkins.

At first glance, everybody would’ve favored Wilkins in the finals. Standing 6-feet-7-inches and nicknamed the “human highlight film,” Wilkins was the defending champion in the NBA showcase event in spectators’ minds. Webb, on the other hand, appeared like a child compared to the imposing Wilkins. At 5-foot-7 and 133 pounds, Webb didn’t send shivers of fear down his opponents’ spine. However, his 48-inch vertical jump and unique dunks brought the judges and fans to their feet.

Webb, who had been dunking a basketball on a ten-foot hoop since his teen years when he was just 4-foot-11, scored perfect 50s on his first two dunks in the finals. One of those slams started at half-court as Webb lofted the ball high in the air toward the rim. Sprinting after the ball, Webb leaped into the air, caught the ball on a bounce, and reverse slammed it through the hoop.

Although Wilkins matched Webb with a perfect 50 on his first dunk in the finals, Webb’s consistency and amazing dunks helped this little man walk away with the title.

EXTRA < < < < < < < < < < < < < <

POINT Spud Webb was truly an unlikely winner of a contest created for NBA giants. But his fearlessness and jumping ability took him to the top.

God often uses little people to do great things. Just because you’re young doesn’t mean others can’t look up to you. Leadership has nothing to do with size or even age. It involves setting an example and then influencing others. A leader fearlessly goes ahead of the group.

In the Old Testament, Samuel reminded Saul that he once seemed small. Then God chose Saul to be king and used him to lead the Israelites.

Smallness doesn’t matter to God, because his power can make anybody great.

GOAL! Look over the roster of your favorite NBA team. Consider leadership ability and height. Do they match? Ask God to use you and develop you as a leader.