Another Webb in the making?

In 1986, a 5-7 guard named Anthony (Spud) Webb immortalized himself by capturing the National Basketball Association (NBA) Slam Dunk title and in the process, embarrassing Dominique Wilkins.

It was an incredible feat for a "small" man. Webb gave hope to "undersized" players who’ve long languished in the shadows of elongated jammers in the dunking department.

Since Webb’s triumph, no player less than six feet has followed in his footsteps to win the league’s annual dunking joust.

This weekend, Atlanta’s Josh Smith attempts to become only the third NBA cager ever–after Michael Jordan and Jason Richardson–to win the crown two years in a row. He’ll be back to defend the title against Philadelphia’s Andre Iguodala, Memphis’ Hakim Warrick and New York’s Nate Robinson. A cash prize of $60,000 awaits the winner.

Iguodala, who’s 6-6, is a flamboyant dunker who stuffs with a lot of flair. He’ll be Smith’s primary headache. Warrick is 6-9 which is also Smith’s height.

The darkhorse is Robinson who stands "only" 5-9. The New York Knicks rookie is out to make history and bring the little man back to prominence in the main attraction of the pre-All-Star Game events in Houston.

By the way, the TV coverage of the All-Star Weekend starts Saturday with the Rookie Challenge game, featuring the league’s freshmen versus the sophomores, at 10 a.m., live, on the Solar Sports Channel. A replay will be shown at 8 p.m. that night, also on Solar.

Then, on Sunday, the pre-All-Star Game events take center stage. There are four events in the bill–the Skills Challenge, the Shooting Stars contest, the Three-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk competition.

Phoenix’ Steve Nash is the defending Skills Challenge king. His challengers are Cleveland’s LeBron James, Miami’s Dwayne Wade and Denver’s Chris Paul. They’ll try to negotiate a difficult obstacle course in the fastest time possible. Nash clocked 25.4 seconds to win the title last year.

The Shooting Stars contest involves four teams each with an NBA cager, an NBA legend and a Women’s National Basketball Association player. They’ll try to knock down shots from mandatory spots on the halfcourt in the fastest time possible. Last year, the Phoenix squad of Shawn Marion, Dan Majerle and Diana Taurasi won.

In the Three-Point Shootout, New York’s Quentin Richardson will defend his title against Seattle’s 2001 champion Ray Allen, Phoenix’ Raja Bell, Detroit’s Chauncey Billups, Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki and Dallas’ Jason Terry.

The four events will be aired at 9 p.m. this Sunday on RPN-9 and the Solar Sports channel.

The All-Star Game will be telecast live via satellite–as it happens–at 9 a.m. this Monday simulcast on RPN-9 and the Solar Sports channel. RPN-9 will replay the game at 7:30 p.m. that night. The Solar Sports channel’s replay is at 8 p.m. this Tuesday.

Robinson, 21, is averaging 8.3 points, 2.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 19.4 minutes as a part-time starter for New York this season. He was Phoenix’ first round pick in last year’s draft. Robby was traded with Q-Rich to New York for Kurt Thomas and the draft rights to Dijon Thompson.

Playing behind Stephon Marbury, the diminutive former University of Washington guard recently scored a career-high 21 points against New Jersey and is in the mold of Muggsy Bogues, Earl Boykins, Keith Jennings and Webb–all standing less than six feet.

Knicks head honcho Isiah Thomas said Robinson brings toughness and leadership to the team. "The first thing you notice about him is his size," said Thomas. "The second thing is his toughness and confidence. And his talent. I have no doubt if Nate was 6-1 or 6-2, he would have been the first or second overall pick. Tremendous toughness and hard-edged competitiveness are musts for little guys in a big man’s world."

Q-Rich added, "I’m a huge fan of his. A little man with Nate’s great speed and athleticism can come in and really disrupt things. He plays hard, he plays with his heart. He’s a pit bull, he’ll guard you over 94 feet and be a disrupter, a pest. Little guys like Nate, they change the tempo, give the team an entirely different look. That is an enormous plus."

Will Robinson do a Spud Webb in the slam dunkfest? Not if Smith can help it.

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