Spud Webb Has Cut Out The Dunks

ATLANTA - Spud Webb walked off the court wearing a smile.

The Atlanta Hawks had beaten Chicago. Webb, who had been out for more than two weeks with a pulled hamstring, returned to the lineup to sting the Bulls for 12 points and four assists in 17 minutes.

The hamstring felt good. Webb felt good. Still, a disappointed fan managed to intercept the Hawks' guard before he made it to the locker room.

``You didn't dunk,'' the man said. ``Why didn't you dunk?''

Webb explained he didn't want to aggravate his injury. The fan acted as if he deserved an apology.

``It was like I had a bad game because I didn't dunk,'' Webb said, shaking his head. ``Some people just want to go back home and say I was at a game where Spud dunked.''

Webb can be seen passing the ball and popping three-pointers for the Hawks this season. He can be seen dunking a bag of his favorite cookies on television.

But dunking a basketball? That's something Webb does less and less these days. The 5-7 leprechaun who has used his vertical leap to soar to outrageous marketing heights is living life closer to the court.

Anthony ``Spud'' Webb is enjoying his finest season. He has established himself as a starter and leads Atlanta in assists (312) and free throw percentage (.871). His 12.2 scoring average is his highest in six seasons.

That's fine for someone who wants to be known and respected as a complete player. But those who only care to see Webb and his flights of fancy may feel cheated. He has, after all, dunked only twice this season.

The legend hasn't died, but he has changed his game.

``I wanted people to notice I was an all-around player,'' said Webb, who averaged 16.9 points over 17 recent games. ``I had to do something about that, being a sideshow.''

Many thought Webb was too small to withstand the wear and tear of an 82-game season when he entered the league in 1985. He was viewed as a novelty, someone who could help a team in isolated bursts, not over the long haul. His victory over teammate Dominique Wilkins and a host of other, taller challengers for the Slam Dunk title on Feb. 9, 1986, did nothing to alter that perception.

Pony Shoes and Coca-Cola each signed Webb to six-figure contracts. Fans came to see him dunk in pre-game warmups. Webb was hot.

It was a delicate situation. Webb wanted to capitalize on his slam-dunking fame, but he didn't want to become a circus act. An incident the next season changed all that.

Webb suffered a torn lateral meniscus. He began to think about how often he dunked, about how much stress that put on his knees.

When Webb returned for the '87-88 season, he found the injury had cut into his 42-inch vertical jump. He looked around the league and saw players who once dunked regularly - like Milwaukee's Sidney Moncrief, who now plays for the Hawks - struggle to get up and down the court.

So Webb no longer dunks as much. He picks his spots.

``I don't dunk as much as I used to,'' said Webb, who estimates his vertical leap now might reach only 40 inches on a good day. ``By me not doing it, I think I'll play longer.''

SONIC REPORT

SEATTLE VS. UTAH

NOTES

-- Thurl Bailey started for the 10th straight game for Utah. Usually one of the league's top sixth men, Bailey was pressed into the starting lineup because forward Blue Edwards is on the injured list with a severely sprained left ankle.

-- The Sonics have performed an about-face in turnover differential, a category in which they've shined for most of the season. They had more turnovers than their opponents in the previous five games heading into last night's. They'd also had fewer steals in five straight.

-- Seattle has outrebounded 11 straight opponents.