Does it matter...using the ol' cliche "it's still counts as 2 points". Just like the bank shot (other than Tim Duncan), it's just a lost (fundamental) in today's (ESPN sportscenter highlight) game.
yeah after I do a 360 behind the back and between the legs dunk, I've noticed it messes up my shot also.
I think it has something to do with Mutombo. When you practice with uncle Mu everyday, it will making dunking a mentally challenged task, especially if you are a rookie. They are never the same, after they've been sex by Mt. Mutombo.
You've got to get up there to dunk. It takes up a lot of leg muscles. Being 6'2" or so, he needs more leg muscles as compared to someone who is 6'7" etc. by pure nature. You need legs to shoot the ball effectively. So why is he going to use up his leg muscles to dunk a basketball, when he can hoist up a 3 pointer instead? And 3 pointers are zone busters!!! He knows Rick Adelman's Philosophy and he follows it to a "T". IT'S ALL ABOUT THE WINS!!!
Does anyone remember that crazy dunk he had from last year (the dunk mentioned in the OP)? I'm going to try and pull it up on youtube. Found it. <object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8CbAKZN0q-U&hl=en"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8CbAKZN0q-U&hl=en" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>
I read an interview of Luther Head in last Christmas. Head said he loved to dunk in his early college days. But Head admiteedly said he seldom dunks after his injury resulted from dunking when he couldnt hold on to the rim and fell hard on the floor. The injury kept him out for a lengthy period of time.
All dunks aren't flashy. Just say you're on a fastbreak by yourself and just do a simple two hand dunk thats not flashy at all.
I was going to say because he got injured trying to dunk but you beat me to it. This is the main reason. I'm sure part of it is the disadvantages listed before as well.
Because he has finally figured out that dunk a ball doesn't give him extra point than a layup, and it uses more energy.
Luther is like 3 yrs into the league and still plays like he is shy. When he shoots with confidence its automatic. When he starts acting scared its turnover city and bricks. He needs to attack the basket with more confidence. Will open up more looks for him when he isn't being one dimensional.
I have to admit I wouldn't mind seeing Luther throw down a nasty dunk and getting the crowd excited, but I really like it when his three pointer is so perfect that it barely moves the net and gives us an extra point.
I remember I once attended a basketball camp with the featured guest being Anthony Carter (one of the greatest players in the history of the University of Hawaii). A.C. has a similar build to Luther, 6-1, 180, and although his game now is basically playing good defense and not turning the ball over, back in college he was an absolute athletic marvel, averaging 18-5-7, and throwing down some nasty dunks on the fast break. When asked at the camp why he didn't dunk it anymore in the NBA, he said it was to save the wear and tear on his knee/body, and because playing defense at the NBA level is so tiring, it took too much out of him to play above the rim. I would suspect that Luther chooses to lay it up for similar reasons. It just makes you truly appreciate how much energy and athleticism guys like Carl Landry or Dwight Howard have, in that they can dunk on 30% of their attempts, and still chase after every loose ball.
