The Moment Reebok PUMP Became Legendary
The Moment Reebok PUMP Became Legendary
Getty Images / NBA Photo Library / NBAE
Almost exactly 30 years ago, Reebok PUMP became legendary in NBA circles, thanks to a certain rookie competing at the 1991 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest. Dee Brown, selected 19th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 1990 NBA Draft, stepped onto the hardcourt and “pumped” up his Reebok PUMP Omni Zone 2s before his first dunk.
The crowd loved it, and Brown went on to pump up his sneakers before each of his following dunks. The fact that Brown ended up winning the dunk contest with a memorable no-look dunk etched the PUMP moment into the history books. At the time, the Celtics player became only the second rookie in NBA history to win the Slam Dunk contest. Spud Webb, who won in 1986, was the first rookie to do so (and also the shortest player ever, at 5 foot 7 inches, to win the dunk contest).