NBA: Tyson Chandler’s last-second slam a top dunk last season
Jul 27, 2018, 11:40 AM
Someone has some explaining to do over at the NBA offices.
In a look at the top 100 dunks of the 2017-18 season, big man Tyson Chandler’s slam on the Memphis Grizzlies came in at No. 31.
Here it is again if you — somehow — missed it.
At #31 of the TOP 100 DUNKS from the 2017-18 season… @TysonChandler of the @Suns! #NBADunkWeek #BESTofNBA pic.twitter.com/aiEGTIyRVn
— NBA (@NBA) July 26, 2018
With 0.6 seconds left to play in a December home game against the Memphis Grizzlies, Dragan Bender found Chandler for the last-second alley-oop slam dunk. Viciously posterizing Brandan Wright in the process to give Phoenix the 99-97 win with 0.4 seconds left to play, the Suns held on for the victory.
But the origin of the play is just as awesome.
“I’ve had that (play) for about 15 years,” former interim Suns coach Jay Triano said following the win. “I put it in probably two or three days after I took over the job here.
“It’s a rule that a lot of people don’t know. You cannot goaltend the ball, that isn’t going to count. So I tell our guys shoot the ball in the basket and all Tyson has to do is touch it on the way down or grab the rim and have it hit your knuckle and go in.”
And while No. 31 isn’t that bad out of 100, some are left to wonder, how does a game-winning slam only land at No. 31?
Phoenix Suns
Lakers fire head coach Darvin Ham despite 2 playoff appearances in 2 years
The Los Angeles Lakers fired coach Darvin Ham on Friday after just two seasons in charge that included a playoff appearance each.
15 minutes ago
Phoenix Suns offseason primer: Royce O’Neale’s contract, Bol Bol’s market among roster questions
The Phoenix Suns can bring back Royce O'Neale and Bol Bol, but it might not be easy for different contractual reasons.
1 hour ago
Knicks advance past Sixers to reach Eastern Conference semifinals
Josh Hart hit the go-ahead 3-pointer to move the New York Knicks past the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 6 of the first round.
15 hours ago
Pacers knock out Bucks in 6 for 1st playoff-series win in a decade
The Indiana Pacers won a playoff series for the first time in a decade, beating the Milwaukee Bucks in Game 6 on Thursday night.
17 hours ago
Video: Bickley Blast: Why are the Phoenix Suns being so elusive?
The Phoenix Suns held a press conference Wednesday for owner Mat Ishbia and general manager James Jones, and Dan Bickley can't help but ponder why the organization is being so elusive about tabout the future of head coach Frank Vogel.
1 day ago
Suns remain confident, paint picture beyond bleak end to season
The Phoenix Suns officially concluded the 2023-24 season with a strange end-of-season availability for Mat Ishbia and James Jones.
2 days ago