When 21-year-old Shaquille O’Neal shattered an NBA backboard back in 1993, it wasn’t just a highlight reel moment—it was a pivotal event in NBA history. This astonishing display of athleticism prompted the league to beef up the structural integrity of its hoops across all arenas.
As the All-Star Weekend debate heated up on “Inside the NBA” about the most powerful dunker of all time, Ernie Johnson had a trick up his sleeve. He pulled out a clip from “The Lab’s” first episode to back up his favorite candidate Shaq against 70s’ legend Daryl Dawkins.
The journey began with the ’70s era fixed back rim, similar to the one Daryl Dawkins famously destroyed, which called for about 600 pounds of force—comparable to a heavyweight boxer’s punch. Moving on to the ’80s breakaway rim, the required force surged to 1400 pounds.
The climax of these experiments was with a ’90s-era’ hoop. Surprisingly, even dropping a 300-pound fridge from 20 feet above didn’t do the trick; it took the might of a diesel truck to achieve the break.
Now while the stanchion’s integrity might have been compromised, the scientists concluded that Shaquille O’Neal’s unique blend of height, weight, and arm span made him perhaps the only player capable of such a feat—a spectacle we’re unlikely to see replicated.
Shaquille O’Neal berates the lack of star power in dunk contests
Remember the golden era of the Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star weekend? Those glory days now feel like pages from an old, dusty book. Basketball titans like Shaquille O’Neal and Julius Erving feel today’s stars opting out of it disrespects the contest’s legacy.
Shaq has always been a leading cheerleader for the NBA’s dunk contests, once celebrated for its iconic moments. (NBAE)Many long for the days when icons such as Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Vince Carter would electrify the crowds with their performances, igniting excitement for the event. Voices beyond the courts, like Michael Rapaport’s, are getting louder. They’re suggesting the league should sign YouTube high-flyers, streetball wizards, and professional dunkers to revive the dunk contest.
But it’s not merely about upping the ante with bigger prize pots or tweaking the rulebook. Legends of the game and contemporary stars, including Paul Pierce and Draymond Green, are advocating for a full-scale makeover. The NBA is at a crossroads, tasked with reimagining the Slam Dunk Contest to reclaim its former glory.
