Something to Talk About

Sometime after the booming popularity of ESPN, and sometime before the Dunk Contest lost its "You gotta see this" feel, the dunk became irrelevant. It became common. Repetitive. Normal. Maybe it's because the slam has become the staple of the sports highlight show. Or maybe it's because everyone in long shorts and a tattoo can throw down. Watch any highlight show this time of the year, and chances are it will be choked with dunks. But beyond the bright lights and the big cities, NCAA Tournament brackets and the entertainment of the NBA, there's a place where the dunk still dominates. "In high school basketball, it seems like if you can dunk, it gains you status,'' said Del City coach Allen Dukes. "I think there's some truth in that.'' Status has already been achieved by college, stardom has been gained by the pros, but the rarely achieved dunk remains special in the high school game, but not universally liked. Blame ESPN for the over-saturation, or blame the NBA for glorification, but don't blame high school kids for wanting to be like their basketball elders. It's only natural. But look deeper. While the dunk is so normalized at every other level, it can be a difference-maker in high school, for the sheer fact that it just doesn't happen often enough. "It's a game-changer, that's for sure,'' said Norman coach Wes Clark. "More than anywhere else, the dunk, at the right time, can be a huge momentum shift.'' And a memorable occurrence. Even the players at the highest levels remember the first time they dunked. And even the players who have never had one dream of their first. "That's what I play for,'' said Putnam West sophomore Tyler Neal, who managed his first dunk in January. "The dunk is bragging rights. It's a big deal.'' And that may be the problem. NBA players rule the league, TV rules college basketball, but coaches rule the high school game, and most coaches, while acknowledging that the dunk is part of the game, will argue that it's also part of its downfall. "I'm old school,'' said Stillwater coach Mike Davis. "I like fundamentals. I'm just not one to get excited about it.'' Robert Foreman doesn't get excited about it, he hates it. "I do,'' said the Westmoore coach. "It's just two points, but it's overrated. I'd much rather see a layup, but it's glamorized so much, the kids love it. That's all they ever show on ESPN, and it's terrible. I wish the dunk never happened.'' But it has happened and it's taken over and become what's important - at least in the minds of the high school players and the fans. "It's the best thing out there,'' said Putnam North senior Justin Snider, who was in the stands cheering on the Panthers at a recent tournament. "I guess it's because not everyone can do it. That's what we wait for as fans.'' Xavier Henry didn't have to wait long --he dunked for the first time in middle school. Even though he's a top recruit nationally, the dunk still is special to him. "I know if our team needs to get hype, I look for the dunk,'' said Henry, a junior at Putnam City. "And I can remember my first one. When you dunk, it means you've arrived. I wish I could go back to middle school and dunk all day.'' Status achieved for Henry. Same goes for Henry's teammate Brandon Jackson, who recently signed to play next season at Tulsa. The dunk is different than fundamentals. Different than making a free throw or a 3-pointer. The dunk is ESPN. It is highlights. It's worth talking about. All the time. "You dunk, and it's always fun to talk about it after,'' Jackson said. "It's bragging rights. It's knowing that you dunked on someone.''