Magic in the air: how the slam dunk evolved alongside basketball

A new book charts the history and characters around one of the most thrilling and striking moves in all of sportsYou can still see the moment online, 42 years later: The Philadelphia 76ers’ Julius Erving pulling off his January 1983 “rock the cradle” dunk against the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, Dr. J cradles the ball in his arm as he goes airborne and …