Sam Dunk never dunked. The Clippers' first mascot also occasionally went over like an airball with the home crowd during his brief existence more than 30 years ago.
The character, who resembled a more buff version of Statler, the cantankerous balcony heckler from "The Muppet Show," once tried to sink a half-court shot during a break in a game against the Boston Celtics in December 1985. After the second miss, a referee grabbed the ball, prompting cheers from fans inside the Sports Arena.
It only got worse. When Sam held up a Celtics pennant, fans cheered again.