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The Nike Dunk is a shoe that was originally designed for basketball. It was first released in 1985 alongside the Air Jordan 1, designed by Peter Moore. The shoe was initially a college basketball trainer, with the original 12 colourways representing America's top basketball schools. The Nike Dunk has since become a cultural icon, with a rich history in both basketball and skateboarding. The flat, traction-friendly sole and lightweight nylon tongue made the shoe perfect for skateboarding, and it was soon adopted by skaters. The Nike Dunk has gone through various iterations and collaborations, becoming one of the most coveted sneaker silhouettes. While the shoe has had its ups and downs in terms of consumer appeal, it remains a significant part of sneaker culture and continues to be sought after by collectors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Initial release | 1985 |
| Designed by | Peter Moore |
| Original purpose | College basketball trainer |
| Original target audience | NCAA athletes and fans |
| Original colourways | Top basketball schools in America |
| Original ad campaign | "Be True To Your School" |
| Original design inspiration | Air Jordan 1, Nike Terminator |
| Skateboarding appeal | Flat, traction-friendly sole and lightweight nylon tongue |
| Skateboarding-specific models | Nike Dunk SB Low, Nike Dunk Low Pro SB, Nike Dunk SB |
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What You'll Learn
The Nike Dunk's evolution from basketball to skateboarding
The Nike Dunk was introduced in 1985 as a basketball shoe. It was designed by Peter Moore and catered directly to NCAA athletes and fans. The Nike Dunk High was a stylistic mash-up, combining elements from the AJ 1s and the Nike Terminator, creating a new court-focused shoe designed for traction and agility.
However, in the late 1990s, the Nike Dunk began to gain traction in the skateboarding community. Skaters discovered the shoes at bargain stores, where they were affordable and had the look and function suitable for skating and doing tricks. This growing affiliation with skate culture led to some design changes, including a nylon tongue for weight reduction, a shorter shaft, and a thicker swoosh, which further appealed to skateboarders.
Recognizing this growing trend, Nike re-engineered the Dunk in the early 2000s with the skate-specific Dunk Low Pro SB. They padded the tongue and made the shoe more robust while staying true to the original Dunk's ethos. Nike also signed a team of young skaters and released exclusive colorways, making the shoe an instant hit with the skateboarding community.
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The Dunk's cultural significance in sports, fashion and skateboarding
The Nike Dunks were originally designed as basketball shoes, but their cultural significance extends far beyond the basketball court. Over the past three decades, they have become a cultural phenomenon, influencing sports, fashion, and skateboarding.
Sports
The first Nike Dunks were rolled out in 1985, the same year as the Air Jordan 1. Designed by Peter Moore, the Dunks were created specifically for NCAA athletes and fans, catering to their need for traction and agility on the court. The Nike Dunk High combined elements from the AJ 1s and the Nike Terminator, resulting in a new court-focused shoe.
Fashion
While Nike Dunks initially gained traction in the world of basketball, it became evident that their long-term appeal extended beyond the basketball court. The unique design and aesthetic of the Dunks, with their simplistic silhouette, balanced colour-blocking, and extreme versatility, caught the attention of artists, musicians, fashion designers, and influencers. Collaborations with brands, artists, and fashion houses further elevated the status of the Dunks as a fashion staple. Notable collaborations include the 2003 Nike SB Dunk Low "Paris" rendition by French painter Bernard Buffet and the 2017 COMME des GARÇONS x Nike Dunk High collaboration.
Skateboarding
In the late '80s and early '90s, skaters discovered that the superb traction and low-profile midsole of the Nike Dunks made them ideal skate shoes. The organic adoption of the Dunks by the skateboarding community inspired Nike to reinvent the shoe for this emerging subculture. In 2002, Nike released the Nike Dunk SB Low, a skate-specific version of the original basketball shoe, featuring strategic padding and enhanced traction for boarders. The SB Dunk Low instantly became a hit with skaters, and Nike further solidified its presence in skateboarding culture by signing a team of young skaters and releasing exclusive SB Dunk Low colourways.
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The NBA Slam Dunk Contest
The ABA started the slam dunk contest as a gimmick to attract viewers nationwide. Jim Bukata, the director of marketing and public relations for the ABA, recalled that the idea came about during a discussion on ways to draw more people to the game. He further acknowledged the influence of Julius Erving, noting that the ABA was the league of dunkers. The format of the first contest required competitors to attempt five dunks in a row under two minutes, with the clock stopping after each shot to allow players to plan their next attempt.
The NBA reintroduced the Slam Dunk Contest as a permanent event during the 1984 All-Star Weekend in Denver, the birthplace of the contest. Since then, the contest has featured memorable performances and victories by notable players such as Larry Nance, Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, Michael Jordan, and more recently, Mac McClung of the Orlando Magic.
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The outlawing of dunks in college and high school basketball
The exact reasons behind the implementation of the "no-dunk rule" are debated, but several factors have been put forward. One justification given by rulemakers was safety concerns, as dunking was considered dangerous and prone to causing injuries. Additionally, some believed that dunking did not showcase basketball skill but merely highlighted a player's height advantage. However, these explanations were disputed, and other motivations were suspected.
The ban coincided with the rise of prominent college basketball players who were dominant dunkers, such as Lew Alcindor (later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar), a 7-foot-2-inch player who gained fame in the 1960s. The rule even became known as the "Lew Alcindor Rule." This era also witnessed the success of Texas Western's men's team, which featured an all-Black starting lineup that won the 1966 NCAA University Division basketball championship against an all-white University of Kentucky team. As a result, some attributed the ban to racial motivations, arguing that it targeted the skills and physical attributes often associated with Black athletes. Lew Alcindor himself commented on the potential discrimination behind the rule, noting the high proportion of Black athletes among dunkers.
It wasn't until Arthur Ehrat invented the breakaway rim in 1976 that dunking made a return to college basketball. This innovation significantly reduced the risk of shattering backboards, addressing the safety concerns that had partly driven the "no-dunk rule." The breakaway rim allowed the game to evolve and adapt to the increasing strength and weight of players, ensuring that dunking could be performed safely and without damaging equipment.
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The racial implications of the 'no-dunk' rule
The "no-dunk" rule in basketball, in effect from 1967 to 1976 (some sources state 1977) banned players from dunking in college and high school games. The rule was enacted by the NCAA, and it prohibited players from slamming the ball through the rim, instead requiring them to lay the ball up or drop it through the hoop. This rule was motivated by the belief that dunking did not "display basketball skill" and only showcased a player's height advantage, with some also citing safety concerns due to the potential for injuries.
However, the racial implications of the "no-dunk" rule cannot be ignored. Lew Alcindor, later known as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a dominant player on the court with his 7'2" frame, was a prominent dunker who began making headlines in the 1960s. After the UCLA Bruins' win over Dayton in the 1967 championship game, where Alcindor scored 20 points with 18 rebounds, the NCAA authorities instituted the "no-dunk" rule. Alcindor himself believed that the rule had racial overtones, stating, "most of the people who dunk are Black athletes... To me, the new 'no-dunk' rule smacks a little of discrimination."
The racial interpretation of the rule was further fueled by the 1966 NCAA University Division basketball championship game, where Texas Western's team with an all-Black starting lineup defeated an all-white University of Kentucky team. This victory, achieved through the athletic prowess and skill of Black athletes, occurred less than a year before the dunk was banned. The timing of the ban, combined with the racial dynamics of the time, contributed to the perception of racial motivation behind the rule change.
While some, like Terry Tyler, attribute the rule change primarily to a desire to eliminate certain players' advantages, particularly Abdul-Jabbar's, it is important to acknowledge the context and the potential for implicit or unintentional bias. The "no-dunk" rule highlights the complex interplay between sports, race, and power dynamics in American society during that era.
Today, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has become an institution in modern basketball, showcasing the creativity and athleticism of players. The dunk has evolved from a move considered taboo by "purists" to a celebrated highlight-reel staple, reflecting the constant evolution of basketball as a sport.
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Frequently asked questions
The Nike Dunk was first introduced in 1985 as a college basketball trainer with 12 colourways representing America's top basketball schools. The shoe was designed by Peter Moore, who also designed the Air Jordan 1. Over time, the Nike Dunk evolved from the basketball court to the skate park, becoming popular in skate culture due to its hard-wearing and flat, traction-friendly sole and lightweight nylon tongue. Nike released skate-specific versions of the Nike Dunk in the early 2000s, such as the Dunk Low Pro SB and the Nike Dunk SB Low, which featured extra padding and strategic traction for skaters.
Yes, the Nike Dunk was originally designed as a basketball shoe, with high- and low-top variations that fused function and aesthetics. The shoe was marketed towards NCAA athletes and fans, and its original colourways represented top basketball schools.
While the Nike Dunk was initially designed for basketball, it gained traction in skate culture due to its hard-wearing and flat, traction-friendly sole. Skaters also favoured the lightweight nylon tongue added to the Nike Dunk in the 1990s. Nike recognised the growing trend and released skate-specific versions of the shoe in the early 2000s, further solidifying its popularity in skate culture.
