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The 2008-2009 NBA season has been filled with memorable plays, buzzer beaters, assists, blow-outs, upsets and finally, the dunk.
What defines a dunk?
Basketball To slam (a ball) through the basket from above- Taken from http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dunk
The slam dunk was known in the past as a dunk shot. During a game, legendary Los Angeles Lakers announcer Chick Hearn brought to life to what is now called a slam dunk, or dunk.
The dunks this season that have been performed have been breathtaking and meaningful. With so many amazing dunks this year, it has been hard to cut down to what I think are the best dunks of the 2008-2009 NBA regular season. These are the dunks that I believe are deserved to be noticed, in no particular order.
Kenyon Martin
During a game against the Golden State Warriors in Denver, Kenyon Martin showed shades of his former self when he received a baseline pass from Allen Iverson and went on to posterize Rob Kurtz. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bkuMOLFfM3U
Ailing knee problems have hurt Kenyon for the majority of his career. Having two micro-fracture surgeries on both his left and right knee impacted on his jumping abilities as well as his mental "wreck the rim" mentality. Kenyon is looking to get his reputation back as one of the most monstrous dunkers in the game today
This dunk just happened 15 minutes ago in Portland (8:43 P.M. Pacific). Carmelo, running down the court, receives a pass and jacks up a contested three hits, and while it's about to hit the rim, Kenyon Martin soars for it and has a monster put-back jam with one hand. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTYemi3geQ0
In the dying seconds of the first quarter, a close game Kenyon tried to give his team some spark going into the second, but to no avail, as the Nuggets are currently down 53-34.
Andre Iguodala
During a 16-2 run by the Philadelphia 76ers at the world's most famous stadium, Madison Square Garden, Andre Iguodala, off a turnover, got the ball and went in for the famous "rock the baby" jam-a-rama dunk-o-rama. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-vAWWYaaAU
With the Sixers coming off a win in Washington (which is a given), they were on a four-game losing streak. Andre was trying to put this team back on track in the win column, and a fastbreak opportunity was perfect for Andre to flush the ball down the rim and put the Knicks on notice that nothing will be stopping the Sixers and himself from winning this game.
Josh Smith
Dec. 17, 2008 was a nail biter of a game in which the Celtics overcame the Hawks in Atlanta. Before that conclusion, though, Al Horford, who missed a 16-to-17-footer, went long into Marvin Williams' hand, who then dropped it off to Josh Smith in the post. Smith dribbled it out, but lost it in the traffic; however, Williams recovered, sending it back out to Smith.
With Perkins on Josh, he decided to take it to the rack for a left-handed jam on the block attempt by Perkins. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qp1KSMFNjWc&feature=related
Smith, getting irritated at the lack of no calls on him and his team, decided not to go for another jumpshot and take it in instead. Just like my good friend Mark Jackson said, instead of getting mad at the ref and possibly receiving a technical, take it to the rack, send one down in King-Kong style, and take the anger out on that—and look, he got a call.
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