35th Anniversary of Dr. J's ABA Dunkadelic "Free-Throw Line Slam"

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35th Anniversary of Dr. J's ABA Dunkadelic "Free-Throw Line Slam"

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uploaded by Dunkadelic King23

It was 35-years ago today on January 27, 1976 at the ABA (American Basketball Association) All-Star Game at McNichols Arena in Denver where the "Slam Dunk" of modern basketball was born.

Julius "Dr. J" Erving of the New York Nets was one of the 5 ABA players along with David Thompson of the Denver Nuggets, Artis Gilmore of the Kentucky Colonels, George "Iceman" Gervin and Larry Kenon of the San Antonio Spurs to participate in the first-ever Slam Dunk Contest during the halftime of the game.

The 1976 ABA All Star Game, the league abandoned the usual East vs. West format it used from the 1967-68 season onward and instead had the league's first place team at the All Star break face off against a team of ABA All Stars. At the All Star break the Denver Nuggets were in first place, which was convenient as the Nuggets had also been selected to host the game.

Dr. J in one hi-flyin' moment put the slam dunk on the map when he took off from the free-throw line and shocked the world with his gravity defying dunk that was heard all around the basketball landscape. 

Erving would win the dunk contest over David Thompson who was also known for his leaping and dunking exploits. Thompson would be named the All-Star Game MVP. This would be the last All-Star Game for the league. Denver defeated the East All-Stars 144-138.

Dr. J is considered as the "Godfather of Dunk." He's been the idol of many players for the last 30-years and his dunks are a part of his historical legacy.

The slam dunk was banned in college basketball for the entire existence of ABA from 1967-76. Prior to the 1976-77 college basketball season the dunk ban was lifted.

The ABA would merge with the NBA on June 17, 1976.

The New York Nets (New Jersey), Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs would be the 4 ABA teams that would become part of the NBA. 

The NBA would include the Slam Dunk Contest eight -years later in 1984 as a part of All-Star Weekend.

Denver's McNichols Arena would be the host of the first-ever NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 1984 won by Larry Nance of the Phoenix Suns who beat out Dr. J who was now a superstar icon for the Philadelphia 76ers.

Michael Jordan of the Chicago Bulls won the 1987 and 1988 Slam Dunk Contest by completing the now famous Dr. J free-throw line dunk. 

The 35th Anniversary of the ABA-NBA merger will be celebrated and honored during  NBHHCM 2K11 (National Basketball & Hip-Hop Culture Month) this upcoming June 2011.