Timberwolves All-Star Weekend Memories

Jan 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett (21) against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Target Center. The Thunder defeated the Timberwolves 101-96. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports
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Isaiah Rider wins the 1994 Slam Dunk Contest

The first real Timberwolves moment came in 1994 when Isaiah Rider commanded the Slam Dunk competition. Granted, All-Star Weekend did take place in the Target Center that year, so Rider had the home crowd behind him for all of his dunks.

It could be argued that Rider won because he was a member of the Wolves, and they gave it to a “hometown” talent. Rider shatters that opinion, however, by executing his patented “Eastbay Funk Dunk” in the final round. This was essentially a between-the-legs from the baseline, as seen in the above video.

This dunk could be seen as commonplace in today’s world of dunk contests, but in all reality, Rider was one of the first to ever execute that dunk in a competition. This makes Rider a pioneer of modern dunking, in my opinion.

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