Sixers Flashback: A Revisionist Judging Of The 2006 Slam Dunk Contest

The Sixers have announced some potential 10-day contract options, but one name brought back some aching memories.

10-day contract season usually brings the basketball world obscure names, and even some that bring back whimsical memories. The Sixers managed to accomplish both with their reported interest n point guards. Adrian Wojnarowski of The Vertical announced that they will be working out Jordan Farmar, Yogi Ferrell, and Nate Robinson.

Farmar has bounced around from the NBA and Israel, and is looking for a late-career home to show he is still capable to be an effective player. Ferrell is a rookie who saw a large amount of success at the University of Indiana. Ferrell is an consistent shooter with decent vision as a ball handler. As of now, he and Delaware 87ers guards Dionte Christmas and Cat Barber are lead candidates to take the last roster spot.

The final name listed is what caused a nostalgic stir. Nate Robinson. The once high-flying 5’9″ guard has an infamous connection with the Sixers that dates back over a decade ago. In 2006, Robinson was the main attraction of the Slam Dunk Contest due to his height. In the same event was the exciting forward Andre Iguodala, who end up stealing the show; or so everyone thought.

First Dunk

Iguodala starts off his dunk contest with a simple, but thunderous windmill dunk. It’s nothing special, but it’s solid. Earns him an 8 out of 10.

Robinson alley oops it to himself and finishes with a twirling dunk. It was a nice finish, and of course his height is a factor. Earns him an 8 out of 10 as well.

Second Dunk

Iguodala brings Allen Iverson onto the court to attempt a behind the backboard windmill baseline dunk. It takes him a couple tries, struggling with timing and placement from Iverson’s pass. Finally, Iguodala catches the ball, limbos his head underneath the backboard, and finishes with an amazing windmill reverse. One of the greatest dunks in contest history. 10 out of 10.

Robinson catches a high bounce for his second dunk and simply reaches back and puts it in. Kind of bland. 7 out of 10.

Third Dunk

Iguodala takes a few attempts to pass himself the ball. When he does, he flushes a behind the back dunk. The multiple attempts took some air out of the dunk, but still good enough to earn an 8 out of 10.

Robinson struggles here. He takes double digit attempts to complete a simple through the leg dunk, finally connected after three minutes. It was a decent dunk, but it’s hard to overlook the previous failures. 7 out of 10.

After three dunks, Iguodala leads 26 to Robinson’s 22.

Fourth Dunk

This is where Iguodala starts to falter. He misses some makable attempts, missing what would have been an incredible 180 through the leg dunk at first. He finally hits a left-handed through the leg. 7 out of 10.

Robinson has his best dunk of the night with his fourth. Bringing out fellow small dunker Spudd Webb, Robinson easily jumps over him and flushes it down hard. Sure, not that impressive to jump over a 5’9 player, right? Unless you’re also 5’9. 10 out of 10.

Fifth Dunk

Iguodala flushes down an underneath the basket, through the leg dunk on his second attempt. His wingspan is in full force here, and it’s magnificent to watch. 9 out of 10.

Nate Robinson here attempts a dunk starting with a through the leg pass at least 20 times. At least. All the excitement is out of the question. He finally makes it, and admittedly it was a nice dunk. 7 out of 10.

Final Score: Iguodala 42, Robinson 39

Next: Sixers Could Look To Delaware

It’s a close matchup, but Iguodala should have won. It’s pretty evident. Now as the circle nears an odd complete, Robinson could be donning a Sixers jersey in which he stole the franchise’s first NBA Dunk Contest win. Odd turn, but that’s the joy of 10-day contracts.