Spud Webb on today’s NBA dunk contest, short players and more
Spud Webb, a 12-year NBA veteran and at 5-foot-7 the shortest player to win the dunk contest, sat down with HoopsHype, on behalf Panini America, to discuss the diminishing allure of today’s NBA dunk contest, the decline in successful short players, and his fearlessness against opponents of any size.
How does it feel to know that you have a stake in NBA history that every fan knows?
Spud Webb: Oh, it’s great that you think that. I believe it’s because they respect the way you’ve contributed to the game. I don’t think people approach you like that unless they truly appreciate what you’ve done, your style of play, and your dedication over 12 years. So, I see it as a compliment. And of course, I know they’re going to talk about the dunk contest; it was one of the greatest, and it was executed at a high level.
Besides being a dunker, what do you want to be known as?
SW: Well, that’s the reason why, after winning the dunk contest in ’86, I decided to step away from it. I wanted to be known as a basketball player, not just a guy who could dunk. So I ended up playing for 12 more years, focusing on being part of successful teams. I started on many teams, and it worked out well for me. I think that’s often what influences my perspective on the dunk contest.
Thoughts on the current status of the NBA dunk contest?
SW: I don’t watch it that much. I watch the highlights. Uh, some guys, man, are unbelievable. The props have been funny. Good but you know, I’m just an old-school dunker, you just want to see guys do natural dunks without all the props.
What’s an old-school dunker?
SW: Just like a gunslinger and do a dunk and try to outdo the other one. Like Dominique [Wilkins] and [Michael] Jordan did. The whole new school is blowing out candles, sticking something, or bringing out a car which is exciting for the crowd.
How did you develop your craft as a dunker?
SW: I don’t know. I just want you to know, I was raised on dirt. You just didn’t have anything. I just went out and played basketball to be with the fellas. That’s how I really got started in this.
Why is there a lack of successful short NBA players?
SW: I don’t know. I have to try to figure that out ever since JJ Barea left. I guess they don’t believe that. The way they play now, with the scorers being so much higher. On defense with them doing a lot of switches and things like that.
Do you think someone can change their minds?
SW: Especially with the way the game is opened up. I don’t know why they don’t have a quick guy to push the ball and make passes and things cause they look for threes. And that’s when you got a guy that’s fast, like a small guy to penetrate it. Open up those threes better than just switching and playing one-on-one, in my opinion.
How would you improve the dunk contest?
SW: I ain’t seen it that much. So I could, you know, if I wanted to. I want to see the highlights, but, uh, you know, you’ve got some talented guys, so I figure they could work something out to make it more crowded. What’s disappointing for me is that I don’t see well-known guys in it. Like they are scared to lose.
Why?
SW: I don’t know, you got to ask them that. I just know, you want to see the best guys. When we played it, we had Jordan, he’s the GOAT, and you had Dominique or Dr. J to Larry Nance. All of these are All-Stars in the dunk contest. Now you have fans coming to the dunk contest and see a guy that’s in the G League, or sitting by the end of the bench. Yeah, they get notoriety for winning the dunk contest but we want to see the best. And if you have a guy in there like Mac [McClung] who is in the G League, if he could beat a guy who is an All-Star, at least he is competing.
What’s something you want players to take away from your game?
SW: You played hard. Play hard every night, play smart basketball, play team basketball.
Advice to a younger version of yourself or a young player?
SW: Work on your game because they can look at the size, 6-foot-9 guards, 6-foot-7 guards, but once they throw the ball up, all that goes out the window. So, if you work on your game, once the game starts, I mean, I never worried about stopping because I knew I worked on my game.
Were you ever scared of going up against trees like Hakeem Olajuwon?
SW: No, no, that never crossed my mind because I love playing basketball and I will play it the way I want to play it. And I played it the same way for 12 years.
[lawrence-related id=1459028]
How does it feel to be working with Panini America?
It’s an honor to be working with Panini this week. It’s cool to be part of something that’s so big in the sports scene. Getting to work on projects that fans like.
