[NYT] For Some N.B.A. Players, There’s No Such Thing as a Slam Dunk

I have a feeling Luis Scola will be added to that list in the very near future. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with that.

 

Scola has had at least one dunk this year (?Dallas game?)

 

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Actually, I think he had one in the OKC game as well (pretty sure I remember him wearing the alternate uniforms when he did it).

 

Is that even Luis?

 

I don't think that is Scola.

 

Think again.

 

Not surprised that Novak is on the list, he was the first guy that came to mind because he's never under the basket on the offensive end, hard to dunk from the 3 pt line.

 

don't let the short hair fool you...

the long lost "athletic" Scola

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This infatuation with dunking is hilarious.

 

How many points is a dunk worth again?

DD

 

agreed


some would claim that a dunk is preferable since it has a 100% success rate, but how often do you see people blow dunks? Hell, I've seen three in the last two games I have watched.(not counting the two or three where they didnt even get it over the rim)

I well executed layup is just as likely to go in as a dunk. Dunks are just flashier and that appeals to most younger sports fans who have been raised on the ESPN hype machine where only flashy plays are given air time.

 

One thing I think is better about dunks is that you're more likely to get a foul call on a missed dunk than on a missed layup. Dunks are seen as more aggressive, and the refs reward players for being aggressive.

 

But a dunk can swing the momentum and intimidate.

 

Exactly, people seem to forget the psychological value of a dunk.

 

If your team is so weak-willed that a dunk can intimidate them, they likely arent very good in the first place.

Neither or the above two statements defending dunks as being a desirable thing are facts...they are both subjective statements that have been said so often some take them as fact...but they arent.

 

Look at his player pic

http://hoopshype.com/players/luis_scola.htm

 

Maybe yao needs to dunk less to relieve some stress from his feet and roll ankles less.

 

You can downplay the value of a dunk all you want, but how many times have you seen a player hush an entire away crowd or get a bunch of home fans to go crazy after throwing down a monster jam? A layup will not get that type of reaction. That is a bonafide fact. It's not about being "weak-willed" either. People with a reputation of dunking can bring the same sort of intimidation on the offensive end that shot blockers provide on defense. How many times have you seen Lebron challenged on a dunk? Not many. The same way it was less likely for a guy like Mutombo or Olajuwon to be challenged in the paint.