For longsuffering Golden State Warriors fans, Jason Richardson’s slam dunk contest titles were a claim to fame that fed their hungry hearts during the lean years. When the Dubs were a perennial laughingstock in the early 2000s bereft of national TV games and exposure, J-Rich’s high flying heroics made the entire world put some respect on GSW’s name.
It was in 2002 that J-Rich started his beautiful reign in the air up there, stealing All-Star weekend with his combination of athleticism, grace, and creativity. Can you believe that was 20 years ago?
In present times the Warriors have upgraded from the bottom of the league to the penthouse suite, winning multiple championships during the Splash Bros era and currently boasting the 2nd best record in the NBA.