Billy Cunningham and David Thompson dunk contest

[majorflux]

Can old glorious leapers like Billy Cunningham "Kangaroo Kid" and David "Skywalker" Thompson compete well against modern dunkers like Vince Carter and JRich?

[shawngoat23]

Not if you transported them directly to the present. Older athletes didn't have the advantage of a game that encouraged high-flying or showboating--in fact, such moves were often met with retaliation, so they didn't really have the opportunity to refine their creativity. And obviously, they wouldn't have the advantage of watching what other dunkers before them were able to perform. In fact, I believe for Thompson's college career, the dunk was outlawed, so that's an additional factor working against them. And finally, you have to consider that they don't have the benefits of modern sports training, so while the Kangaroo Kid and the Skywalker would still be among the best athletes in the league, they certainly wouldn't be mind-blowing in that regard.

So no, I doubt they'd be better than Vince Carter or Jason Richardson. However, even without the benefits mentioned above, they'd still put on a better performance than some of the lame dunk contests that have won in weaker years.

[writerman]

Not if you transported them directly to the present. Older athletes didn't have the advantage of a game that encouraged high-flying or showboating--in fact, such moves were often met with retaliation, so they didn't really have the opportunity to refine their creativity. And obviously, they wouldn't have the advantage of watching what other dunkers before them were able to perform. In fact, I believe for Thompson's college career, the dunk was outlawed, so that's an additional factor working against them. And finally, you have to consider that they don't have the benefits of modern sports training, so while the Kangaroo Kid and the Skywalker would still be among the best athletes in the league, they certainly wouldn't be mind-blowing in that regard.

So no, I doubt they'd be better than Vince Carter or Jason Richardson. However, even without the benefits mentioned above, they'd still put on a better performance than some of the lame dunk contests that have won in weaker years.

Shawngoat, I often agree with you, but have you ever seen the Skywalker? He was head and shoulders the greatest leaper I ever saw--yes, better than Carter. Thompson was one of the most amazing talents to ever play the game, a true outlier athletically like LeBron. If he hadn't effed up his life with drugs, plus injuries, people today would be saying...."Hey, Jordan was right up there with David Thompson--he was that good!"

I also get weary of hearing about the evidently almost magical and holy benefits of "modern sports training." Medical advances have helped today's athletes, especially in terms of healing what once would have been career-ending injuries, and equipment advances have helped as well (better shoes, playinfg facilities, etc.) But I totally reject the idea that training techniques have had any large impact on performace by totday's athletes, and the notion that today's best athletes are intrinsically any better than the best of previous eras.

[CatNation]

Naw. Stromile Swift is a better dunker than anyone pre-80s.

[shawngoat23]

Shawngoat, I often agree with you, but have you ever seen the Skywalker?

I can't say I have, besides the occasional YouTube highlight reel. However, I have seen footage of the first ABA dunk contest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4CWVytKWf0

I do maintain that there is a very real advantage from modern sports medicine, but I will concede that from everything I know, David Thompson was such a ridiculous athlete that he'd be one of the top high-fliers today. But that being said, I think if you were to transport him to a dunk contest today, he wouldn't be as impressive because he simply never had a chance to draw inspiration from the dunkers before him, nor was the style of play during his era conducive to experimenting with dunks in-game.

I don't think his performance in the dunk contest in 1976 would have been able to knock off the likes of Vince Carter and Jason Richardson. To be fair, I do understand that the many camera angles and the superior video technology might make the same dunk look much more impressive today than in 1976. And I also understand that the Skywalker may have had many more dunks up his sleeve than he showed in 1976. I considered all of those to some extent.

I will finally say I've never seen Billy Cunningham in a dunk contest. Everything I said in the previous two posts are based on the limited highlights I've seen of Thompson. Take it for what it's worth.

Edit: It's analogy that's brought up way too often, but it's fitting here. My mathematical skills are way beyond what Isaac Newton is capable of, but that doesn't mean I'm a better mathematician. It applies not as much for athletic ability, but in terms of creativity of dunk, I do believe that you are inspired by previous generations--standing on the shoulders of giants, so to speak.

[penbeast0]

How did Cunnigham end up being considered a dunker (presumably from his "Kangaroo Kid" nickname)? . . . Baylor, Hawking, Erving, Thompson, Jordan . . . some of the old guys could put on a show . . . and some people today would still think Michael Jordan couldn't compete with Stromille Swift

[ronnymac2]

Of course they'd be great dunkers. Given an equal playing field (knowledge of other dunks, etc.), Cunningham and Thompson (especially Thompson) could compete in and win dunk contests. They were great athletes. I haven't seen much of Thompson, but I remember this one play where he elevates to block a shot.....I was in awe of his leaping ability.

I must add....Neither would be better than Vince Carter at dunking. Nobody back then would be. Nobody is close today. In the future, I doubt anybody is as good as Carter, let alone better. Vince is the GOAT dunker.

[CatNation]

I must add....Neither would be better than Vince Carter at dunking. Nobody back then would be. Nobody is close today. In the future, I doubt anybody is as good as Carter, let alone better. Vince is the GOAT dunker.

That's just flat out wrong considering there are dozens of professional dunkers that are far better than Carter. It's just a matter of time until someone with their level of athleticism get in the league.