At 5-feet-7-inches tall, Anthony “Spud” Webb earned fame and fortune by winning the 1986 NBA Slam Dunk contest in Dallas, his hometown.
The former North Carolina State University and Wilmer-Hutchins High basketball star stunned teammate and future Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins, known as “The Human Highlight Film.” Webb’s sting of perfect scores from the judges was the highlight of All-Star Weekend in the old Reunion Arena more than 35 years ago (Feb. 8, 1986, to be precise).
The 135-pound Webb astounded fans with his jumping ability and creativity above the rim. The average NBA player at the time stood at 6-foot-7 and weighed 235 pounds.
The shortest player to claim the title, the lightning-quick point guard with a 42-inch vertical leap raked in dozens of endorsement deals.
“The average fan could identify with me,” Webb told The Dallas Express in an interview last weekend.
Fast forward to 2023, and Webb, 59, has settled in Dallas after a 14-year career in the NBA. He played seven seasons for the Atlanta Hawks, five for the Sacramento Kings, and parts of one for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Orlando Magic.
Webb was a fourth-round draft pick in 1985 by the Detroit Pistons, who cut him. Webb signed with the Hawks, and he impressed Wilkins, starting point guard Doc Rivers, and coach Mike Fratello in training camp. He never looked back.
“They saw what I could do, and I was what they were looking for,” Webb told The Dallas Express. “I always believed in myself, even when people doubted me.”
“The slam dunk championship opened a lot of doors for me, and I had a good career,” he added.
For the last 13 years, Webb has been president of basketball operations for the Texas Legends G League pro basketball team in Frisco.
Instead of running an NBA offense, he’s helping to manage the Dallas Mavericks’ affiliate in the minor league, which plays home games in the Comerica Center.
“Everywhere I go people recognize me,” Webb said. “They appreciate how I played. I grew up here in Dallas, so I know a lot of people. It’s everywhere I go.”
Naturally, The Dallas Express wanted to know one thing. Can he still dunk? A YouTube video from when he was 47 shows him dunking, but it’s unclear if he jumped off a trampoline.
“No, I never play basketball,” Webb laughed. “I have not picked up a basketball for a real game in about 20 years. I haven’t played since about 2003. The only sport I play now is golf.”
The success of the 30-team G League has been as surprising as Webb’s slam-dunk victory decades ago. It previously was known as the NBA Developmental League and became the G League when Gatorade bought primary sponsorship in 2017.
The Legends, who moved to Frisco after being purchased by former Mavericks General Manager Donnie Nelson, regularly play to capacity crowds of 3,500 in Frisco, showcasing players right out of high school and players who narrowly missed making NBA rosters. Previous attempts at building minor leagues in basketball have failed.
“I have been here since Day 1,” Webb told The Dallas Express. “I was here before we ever had a dream.”
“It keeps me around basketball,” he added. “I like helping the guys, keeping their pro basketball dreams alive as players and coaches.”
The Dallas Cowboys and Dallas Stars call Frisco home for training, but Webb said he considers Frisco to be a basketball city, too.
“It’s a great community,” Webb said. “People in Frisco and the surrounding area can come watch a basketball game and get home quicker than going to Dallas to see the Mavericks.”
The Dallas Express watched the Legends and G League on Saturday, February 10. The Legends’ best player, guard Grant Riller, scored 31 points in a 107-89 victory over the Ignite, whose roster included Shaquille O’Neal’s son, Shareef.
The Legends’ season-ticket base includes self-proclaimed super fan Terry Halterman, who has watched the franchise grow since its first season.
“If the Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers can have a super fan, so can the Texas Legends,” Halterman, 58, told The Dallas Express. “I bought season tickets for the first season, and I have been hooked ever since. My interaction with the organization has been amazing.”
Halterman said he has met dozens of basketball celebrities, from Webb to former Legends coach and Hall of Famer Nancy Lieberman. Lieberman was the Legends’ first coach in 2009.
When the Mavericks won the NBA title in 2011, they brought the championship trophy to Comerica Arena to show off.
“I held the Larry O’Brien Trophy and had my picture taken wearing one of the players’ championship rings,” Halterman said. “I’m treated like a VIP when I go to Legends games.”
Halterman holds a small sign behind the opposing team’s bench during games. He sends subtle digs their way during the action. One said: “Maybe we should start a Go Fund Me to get you points!”
Although he watches all 24 home games each season, Halterman said he never gets tired of three-pointers and the steady stream of new players on the Legends’ roster. He said he likes seeing celebrities such as Webb at courtside and having players sign autographs.
“Spud will take pictures and sign autographs for anyone,” Halterman said. “I bought one of his former Atlanta Hawks No. 4 jerseys, and he signed it for me. That’s one of my most prized possessions.”
“The players sign autographs on the court as long as there’s anyone wanting one. I don’t see very many pro sports franchises who ask their players to do that. It’s all very fan friendly,” he said.
IF YOU GO
For anyone that wishes to attend, here are some tips that you might find useful:
TICKETS
Prices range from $10-$28 for general admission. The team’s next home game is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, February 24, against the Wisconsin Herd. They can be purchased at ticketmaster.com. The G League is idle until next week because of the 2023 NBA All-Star Weekend through Sunday in Salt Lake City.
PARKING
A parking garage next to the arena starts to fill up around 7 p.m. Fans are allowed into Comerica Center around 6:30 p.m., one hour before tipoff. Parking is $10.
STUFF FOR KIDS
Like other minor league sports franchises, the Legends cater to young fans with a Kids Zone. It has a slide, a bounce house, miniature basketball goals, and a team shop. Players sign autographs after home games.
