SLAM DUNK

A tribute to one of basketball’s most showy and dramatic feats.

Despite the aid of many big, colorful action photos, Doeden struggles to stretch his topic out to book length. Still, young fans may find their appreciation for the game enhanced by the easily digestible doses of historical context, the expansive gallery of renowned dunkers, and even the anatomical diagrams and descriptions of muscle groups that have to work in concert to sink the shot. The author traces the slam dunk’s development from a disparaged and even at times banned move to its status as “a pillar of modern NBA strategy.” Though he highlights many spectacular, if ultimately repetitive-sounding, examples of its use, he doesn’t neglect to mention its hazards to vulnerable bodies and breakable backboards. And, along with shoutouts to such high-flying royalty as Michael “Air” Jordan and LeBron James, he gives women their due, from Georgeann Wells (the first reported dunker in a women’s game, 1984) to Brittney Griner (most prolific WNBA dunker). Whether or not readers readily buy his claim that a slam dunk is “one of the most exciting moments in all of sports,” they’ll have to admit that Doeden has built a feasible case.

Slender topic, but high enough in interest to keep young basketball players engaged.