Spud Webb

Spud in the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest (SpudWebb.com (Getty Images))

Although he was only five feet seven inches tall, Anthony Jerome 'Spud' Webb, who was raised into poverty, is known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Spud Webb is titled as a hero because he beat the odds of being a pro athlete despite his size, continuously proved himself in the bigs, snatched titles from the hands of the legends, and currently donates his time for the better of the world. His hard work, and the fact that he left all blood, sweat, and tears on the court, is why he lives the dream life that he deserves right now. Spud isn't known as a legend and a hero because  of his incredible NBA career, but because he got turned down so many times and never gave up. Throughout his life, he was turned down by six significant teams in his childhood. Eventually he proved himself and convinced the coaches to put him on their teams. The epic part of these events is that he led five of them to championships, and all of them to the final game.

Out of every varsity basketball player, less than 1% of them will make it to the NBA. Most of them are well above the six foot mark. Manute Bol, a center who played the in the league at the same time as Spud, was seven feet seven inches tall. That's a whole two feet taller.  " 'You gotta be tall to play this game?' "(The Sporting News) Webb didn't only beat the odds, he crushed them and became a legend when he dunked over Manute in the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest. His label dunk was his 360 reverse dunk in the final round, between him and the well-known, natural Michael Jordan.

Webb, at about age 12, went out for his junior high basketball team. The coaches looking at his size, thought, like everyone else who saw him for the first time, he was too small. Eventually, with lots of hard work and commitment, Spud convinced the coach to let him play. Webb, mistaken for his size, led the team to a championship that year averaging over ten points per game. The same occasion occurred five more times in his career, including his high school team, junior college team, college team, ABA league, and the Detroit Pistons. Spud, continuously getting turned away by size, didn't take it personally and was motivated by it to work harder. Instead of lifting weights and getting big, he jumped rope, did leg workouts, and worked on shooting and ball handling. As gained speed, starting producing on jumpers, and could dribble out of any pickle, he was back and better than ever. While practicing, Spud was being watched. What he didn't know is that it was an Atlanta Hawks scout. The Atlanta Hawks offered Webb a contract and gave him a chance as second string point guard, and the rest is history.

" 'It seems like every year I had to start over.' "(McCallum) Although he consistently proved himself throughout his career, Spud had to repeat the process every year. Many believe because breakout seasons are common, and because he wasn't seven feet tall, they didn't believe that he could consistently play the same way every season. That's one of the primary reasons that he played for eight teams, as well as three teams that were not in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks, who put his name into glory, changed him to jersey number four. " 'Point (number) four?' said Wilkins, incredulously. 'That's unheard of. Why?' Webb shrugged his shoulders, 'publicity I guess.' " The Hawks changed his number to the lowest on the team because of his height. Everywhere he went, no matter how well he did, how spectacular his dunks were, or how easy he made it look, he would always be known as the small guy. Spud then realized that because he was so much faster, all thebig, slow guys couldn't handle him. He started using his speed as an advantage and that's why he stuck around with the big boys for so long.

Webb's legend began during the 1986 Slam Dunk Contest. Two other contestants were Hall of Famers Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, both standing well above six feet tall. Of course they had pretty crazy dunks; between the legs 360's, jumping from the free throw line, and wind milling. All the fans expected these great dunks to continue. Stealing the show, tiny Spud Webb took the floor, acquainted by Manute Bol, the 7'7 Center. Spud got his running start, took a mighty leap, and majestically threw it through the basket. Just an average dunk right? The extreme part is that his little legs threw him all the way over Bol. "Webb enjoyed superstardom as a small man in a big man's game."(Barnes) As the arena got quiet and every single person dropped their jaw, the judges held up '10's', sending Spud away with a Slam Dunk Contest Title. From then on, he was known as the NBA's legendary little man.

Currently in his life, Spud is a business man, an inspirational speaker, and a judge for the Slam Dunk Contest. He donates his time to events giving inspiring 'pep' talks. Anyone who ever saw him play would have fallen in love with his type of play. He was aggressive, constantly moving, and always challenged his opponent, no matter how small or big they were."Although he made it look easy, he made it clear that his performance was the result of years of hard work and practice."(Barnes) Spud, although he had some natural talent, had to work much harder than everyone else to make up for the height difference. The result of his hard work: majestic dunks, incredible ball handling, quick feet and amazing speed, and the ability to block a player a foot taller than him. All Five and a half feet of him is filled with honor, dedication, and hard work. Spud is a great player, and man I general due to the fact that he puts other people ahead of himself. In his eyes, the win column was the only important stat out there. Spud may not be an internationally known superstar, but to me, and many others, he deserves excellence, and earned himself an accomplished dream life. Still involved with the NBA, some people say that the dream continues, and will live on with him forever.