King Kyle’s Kram vs. The Greatest Dunkers in Louisville History

There was a time in Card history when Griff, LaBradford Smith, Everick Sullivan, Corn Holden, etc.  literally took off  purposely to crash into another human body or two on the way to a dunk.  It was the ultimate power dunk… …fearlessness…altitude…attitude.... absolutely dominating and posterizing your opponent.

And it would send an incredible electric charge instantly through both  the players and fans, enflaming Freedom Hall.

It’s as close to ultimate machismo that BBall gets. (Particularly in the 70’s and  80’s before breakaway rims,  when you could forcibly propel yourself  backwards if you didn’t jam a dunk just right without touching much iron.)

The last one like Kyle Kuric’s at Notre Dame,  was Earl  Clark whipping a dunk into and over Notre Dame’s perennial POY candidate Luke  Harangody in the Hall.     Remember ?…

Kyle Kuric has had some mammoth dunks, but none quite so utterly physical as this one, which ranks with the all time greats in Card lore.

Now…let’s compare to the greats….

(Ed. note:  I posted this a few seasons ago after a particularly nasty series of dunks by T-Will in a game.  Frenzied debate immediately welled up in Card Land as to who rightfully deserved the title of THE greatest dunker in U of L history.

So…we rounded up video of the main candidates for the title.  You make your choice…)

BTW–note the  the celebrations the players of that era….   Think they woulda been T’d today ?

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T Will blew my mind last night.

Thanks to Mike at Card Chronicle for the cool graphic pic and app.

In particular, that coast-to-coast slam brought me screaming out of my Lazyboy,  scaring the dog a mite.

Five dunks in all and two  Sportcenter dunks, including a windmill jam and an  alley-oop where he magically switched from his right hand to his left before dunking–as he flew out of bounds!

It got me thinking immediately:  Where have I seen such a display of dunking ability in Card history?

Not just dunking, but dunking with the creativity and fearlessness of the Doctors of old.  The fearless leaping into and over hapless defenders, jamming them into submission.

It is a signature of U of L basketball .  As is our pressing full court defense,  incredible athleticism and leaping ability–and of course, dunking.

This is  Louisville basketball,  known  both  to long-time Card fans and to national aficionados of the college game.

Well…here’s a sampling of some of the best dunks of all time in Card history.  I personally believe Griff is still–by far–THE MAN.

But…you decide…

Up first..Darrell Griffith

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FLmJdUtbgE]

Contenders for the throne:

LaBradford Smith

Terrence Williams–from last night against Rutgers.

Alvin Sims

Everick Sullivan

Jerome Harmon?  Cornelius Holden? The Chief–Felton Spencer? (Watch the last minute in particular.)

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From the 2009-2010 UofL media guide…

Most Dunks / Season / Dunks

1. Pervis Ellison 87-88  59

2. Samardo Samuels 08-09  51

3. Alvin Sims 95-96  48

4. Felton Spencer 89-90  43

4. Cornelius Holden 90-91  43

4. Alvin Sims 96-97  43

7. Darrell Griffith 77-78  42

8. Darrell Griffith 79-80  40

9. Billy Thompson 84-85  39

9. Jerome Harmon 89-90  39

9. Marques Maybin 99-00  39

Most Dunks / Carrer / Dunks

1. Pervis Ellison 85-89  162

2. Alvin Sims 93-96  123

3. Darrell Griffith 76-80  117

3. Cornelius Holden 88-92  117

5. Rodney McCray 79-83  103

6. Marques Maybin 97-01  95

7. Billy Thompson 82-86  94

8. Felton Spencer 86-90  93

9. Charles Jones 80-84  89

10. Everick Sullivan 88-92  85

Most Dunks in a game by a player: 7 by Pervis Ellison vs South Alabama Jan 4, 1988

Most Dunks in a game by Team 12, vs Virginia Tech on Feb 2, 1990

Most Dunks in a season by Team 195, in 89-90