Orlando Magic players had a fun moment during practice in Mexico City, where coach Jamahl Mosley accepted a challenge from point guard Markelle Fultz to dunk the ball. Despite his age of 45, Mosley managed to complete the dunk, showcasing his athleticism and camaraderie with the team.
Mosley is among a select group of NBA coaches who can still dunk, including Willie Green, Ime Udoka, Darvin Ham, and Monty Williams. These coaches take pride in their ability to perform such feats even after their playing careers have ended.
Ham, known for his iconic college dunk that shattered a backboard, has continued to dunk regularly until recently due to physical limitations. Williams, at 52, also recently dunked to show his players he still had the skills post-50.
Udoka, dealing with an Achilles tendon issue, managed a dunk to test his recovery, emphasizing his physical attributes for such a task. J.B. Bickerstaff aims to dunk again after foot surgery, while Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups, despite their illustrious playing careers, are uncertain if they can still dunk.
Younger coaches like Will Hardy and Joe Mazzulla have not attempted dunks in years, with Hardy avoiding potential injuries and Mazzulla considering a challenge to motivate him. Green, the Pelicans' head coach, surprised his players with a windmill dunk after practice, showcasing his athleticism and earning respect from his team.
These instances of coaches dunking not only provide entertainment but also contribute to team culture and camaraderie, showing players the coaches' physical abilities and shared experiences in the game of basketball.
