Michael Jordan Won His First Slam Dunk Contest 30 Years Ago Today

In what would be one of his true career highlights, Michael Jordan took home his first NBA Slam Dunk contest win on this day in 1987. After falling to Dominique Wilkins in the 1985 contest and sitting out the 1986 contest due to injury, Jordan seized upon his full recovery in Seattle. Jordan put his most famous dunks on display – the Rock the Baby clutch, Kiss the Rim baseline leaner and of course, the free-throw line. Wilkins sat out but the competition was still tough with big-name dunkers like Clyde Drexler, Tom Chambers, and Gerald Wilkins in mix. Wearing his white/black/red Air Jordan 2s, MJ took home the dunk crown, setting up the famous Jordan-Wilkins rematch in Chicago the following year. Watch Jordan’s 1987 Dunk Contest highlights below.