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Elaborated on entries.
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* Even Kaede Rukawa himself is reminiscent of a young, brash, and ball-hogging [[TheAce Michael]] [[InsufferableGenius Jordan]] in terms of his [[JackOfAllTrades all-rounder]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad yet selfish]] play-style where he can [[RenaissanceMan literally]] [[JackOfAllStats do]] [[MasterOfAll anything]] on the basketball court[[note]](attack from outside by shooting threes, steal balls, drive through a tight defense, do flying dunks from across the free throw line, or score in the paint)[[/note]]. Aside from play-style, Rukawa also wore Jordan's signature left armband. Like Jordan, Rukawa's character development came about when he learned the value of [[TeamSpirit team play]] and [[BoringButPractical passing the ball]].[[note]]Also, in a case of LifeImitatesArt, Rukawa passing to Sakuragi to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1996 against Sanno High actually happened for real when Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1997 against the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals.[[/note]]
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* Even Kaede Rukawa himself is reminiscent of a young, brash, and ball-hogging [[TheAce Michael]] [[InsufferableGenius Jordan]] in terms of his [[JackOfAllTrades all-rounder]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad yet selfish]] play-style where he can [[RenaissanceMan literally]] [[JackOfAllStats do]] [[MasterOfAll anything]] on the basketball court[[note]](attack from outside by shooting threes, steal balls, drive through a tight defense, do flying dunks from across the free throw line, or score in the paint)[[/note]].
** Aside from play-style, Rukawa also wore Jordan's signature left armband. Like Jordan, Rukawa's character development came about when he learned the value of [[TeamSpirit team play]] and [[BoringButPractical passing theball]].[[note]]Also, ball]].
** Also, in a case of LifeImitatesArt, Rukawa passing to Sakuragi to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1996 against Sanno High actually happened for real when Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1997 against the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals.[[/note]]
** Aside from play-style, Rukawa also wore Jordan's signature left armband. Like Jordan, Rukawa's character development came about when he learned the value of [[TeamSpirit team play]] and [[BoringButPractical passing the
** Also, in a case of LifeImitatesArt, Rukawa passing to Sakuragi to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1996 against Sanno High actually happened for real when Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1997 against the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals.
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* According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyIsCool Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].
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* According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyIsCool Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They Spurs]].
** Rodman and Sakuragi share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The [[note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].[[/note]]
** Like Charles Barkley, the newbie Sakuragi tends to attempt and fail to do jumpshots even prior to his 20,000 jump shot training from Coach Anzai. Both Sakuragi and Barkley get shouted by their teammates to stop whenever they attempt jump shots instead of close-perimeter lay-ups or slam dunks. Infamously, Barkley made only 538 of 2,020 atempts of 3-point shots in his career (26.6%).
** Rodman and Sakuragi share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).
** Like Charles Barkley, the newbie Sakuragi tends to attempt and fail to do jumpshots even prior to his 20,000 jump shot training from Coach Anzai. Both Sakuragi and Barkley get shouted by their teammates to stop whenever they attempt jump shots instead of close-perimeter lay-ups or slam dunks. Infamously, Barkley made only 538 of 2,020 atempts of 3-point shots in his career (26.6%).
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Changed line(s) 43 (click to see context) from:
* The nerdy Yoshinori Miyamasu has an unassuming air to him that hides the fact that he's a reliable three-point shooting guard. This is reminiscent of the often underestimated "Houdini of the Hardwood" Bob Cousy, who looks unimposing at 6'1" for an NBA player yet he's a certified Hall of Famer.
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* The nerdy Yoshinori Miyamasu has an unassuming air to him that hides the fact that he's a reliable three-point shooting guard. This is reminiscent of the often underestimated "Houdini of the Hardwood" Bob Cousy, who looks unimposing at 6'1" for an NBA player yet he's a certified Celtics Hall of Famer.
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Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* Speaking of which, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences) as well, just like with the Kiyotaka and Sakuragi parallel.[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
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* Speaking of which, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version [[{{Expy}} version]] of Akagi (plus his NBA influences) as well, just like with the Kiyotaka and Sakuragi parallel.[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of the Kainan vs. Shohoku.Shohoku game.[[/note]]
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Changed line(s) 41,42 (click to see context) from:
* Instead of a specific NBA player, Nobunaga Kiyotaka serves more as foil to Hanamichi (and his set of NBA influences), with him also being an athletically gifted and brash freshman with a one-sided rivalry against Rukawa.
* Speaking of which, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences) as well.[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
* Speaking of which, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences) as well.[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
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* Instead of a specific NBA player, Nobunaga Kiyotaka serves more as foil [[MirrorCharacter foil]] to Hanamichi (and his set of NBA influences), with him also being an athletically gifted and brash freshman with a one-sided rivalry against Rukawa.
* Speaking of which, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences) aswell.well, just like with the Kiyotaka and Sakuragi parallel.[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
* Speaking of which, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences) as
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Changed line(s) 43 (click to see context) from:
* The nerdy Yoshinori Miyamasu has an unassuming air to him that hides the fact that he has a reliable 3-point shooting skill. This is reminiscent of the often underestimated "Houdini of the Hardwood" Bob Cousy, who looks unimposing at 6'1" for an NBA player yet he's a certified Hall of Famer.
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* The nerdy Yoshinori Miyamasu has an unassuming air to him that hides the fact that he has he's a reliable 3-point three-point shooting skill.guard. This is reminiscent of the often underestimated "Houdini of the Hardwood" Bob Cousy, who looks unimposing at 6'1" for an NBA player yet he's a certified Hall of Famer.
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Changed line(s) 42 (click to see context) from:
* In turn, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences).[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
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* In turn, Speaking of which, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences).influences) as well.[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
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Added entries.
Added DiffLines:
* Instead of a specific NBA player, Nobunaga Kiyotaka serves more as foil to Hanamichi (and his set of NBA influences), with him also being an athletically gifted and brash freshman with a one-sided rivalry against Rukawa.
* In turn, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences).[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
* The nerdy Yoshinori Miyamasu has an unassuming air to him that hides the fact that he has a reliable 3-point shooting skill. This is reminiscent of the often underestimated "Houdini of the Hardwood" Bob Cousy, who looks unimposing at 6'1" for an NBA player yet he's a certified Hall of Famer.
* In turn, Kazuma Takasago seemingly serves more as Kainan's version of Akagi (plus his NBA influences).[[note]]This becomes a major plot point, with Sakuragi accidentally passing the ball to him instead of Akagi at a critical juncture of Kainan vs. Shohoku.[[/note]]
* The nerdy Yoshinori Miyamasu has an unassuming air to him that hides the fact that he has a reliable 3-point shooting skill. This is reminiscent of the often underestimated "Houdini of the Hardwood" Bob Cousy, who looks unimposing at 6'1" for an NBA player yet he's a certified Hall of Famer.
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Changed line(s) 56 (click to see context) from:
* As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
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* As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide [[FutureMeScaresMe evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
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* If Kainan is the Lakers and Shoyo is the Celtics, then naturally the [[EnsembleDarkHorse Dark Horse]] of Kanagawa, Shohoku, is the ''Slam Dunk'' equivalent of the Chicago Bulls under UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan.
** Even Kaede Rukawa himself is reminiscent of a young, brash, and ball-hogging [[TheAce Michael]] [[InsufferableGenius Jordan]] in terms of his [[JackOfAllTrades all-rounder]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad yet selfish]] play-style where he can [[RenaissanceMan literally]] [[JackOfAllStats do]] [[MasterOfAll anything]] on the basketball court[[note]](attack from outside by shooting threes, steal balls, drive through a tight defense, do flying dunks from across the free throw line, or score in the paint)[[/note]]. Aside from play-style, Rukawa also wore Jordan's signature left armband. Like Jordan, Rukawa's character development came about when he learned the value of [[TeamSpirit team play]] and [[BoringButPractical passing the ball]].[[note]]Also, in a case of LifeImitatesArt, Rukawa passing to Sakuragi to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1996 against Sanno High actually happened for real when Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1997 against the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals.[[/note]]
** Takenori Akagi is probably based on [[LargeAndInCharge Patrick Ewing]] from the New York Knicks because they have the same [[{{Expy}} physical]] [[CaptainErsatz appearance]] and the [[GeniusBruiser same position]] in the court. However, Ewing possesses better mid-range shooting, something that Akagi doesn't have.[[note]]Akagi started off very raw and had a terrible free throw percentage until his second year in high school. In contrast, Ewing's free throw percentage is respectable amongst centers (74% all time). Akagi's angst in being the only good player in his team in his first two years of high school also mirrors Ewing's frustrations of never being an NBA champion despite winning Rookie of the Year in 1986 and being an 11-time NBA All-Star.[[/note]]
** [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ryota/Ryouta]] Miyagi is likely based on former NBA player [[WeakButSkilled Muggsy Bogues]], particularly during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.[[note]]Miyagi's shortness in height yet amazing ability to use his quickness to get past his defenders is quite Bogues-like. Bogues is still the Hornets' franchise leader in steals. Unlike Bogues, Ryota can steal the ball [[HeroicAmbidexterity left-handed]], and has a more accurate left-handed layup despite shooting right handed.[[/note]] Arguably, Miyagi could instead be comparable to [[SuperSpeed Kevin Johnson]] of the Phoenix Suns based on the timing of Miyagi's first appearance, among other factors.[[note]]They have the same jersey number, same speed and agility, same play-style that's even more accurate to Johnson than the Bouges comparison, and same impressive stamina. Like Kevin Johnson's face-off against Magic Johnson, Miyagi also ended up facing the Kainan Team Captain Maki in a duel to see who's Kanagawa's Number One point guard.[[/note]]
** Hisashi Mitsui is likely based on former NBA player [[ImprobableAimingSkills Craig Hodges]] during his run with the Bulls.[[note]]They both wore the No. 14 jersey and were [[CripplingOverspecialization three-point shooters]].[[/note]] There's also [[BrokenAce Jeff Hornacek]] of the Phoenix Suns/Philadelphia 76ers.[[note]]This is due to him also wearing the No. 14 jersey and having [[DentedIron left knee]] [[GameBreakingInjury problems]]. Like Mitsui, Hornacek also wore a knee brace as his knees deteriorated from the strain of shooting practice.[[/note]] According to [[https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1364780 several]] [[https://www.reddit.com/r/RealSlamDunk/comments/fsexzv/nba_2k20_slam_dunk/ websites]], Mitsui might also be based on gold medalist shooting guard [[CombatPragmatist Reggie Miller]] of the Indiana Pacers.
** According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyIsCool Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].
** Even Kaede Rukawa himself is reminiscent of a young, brash, and ball-hogging [[TheAce Michael]] [[InsufferableGenius Jordan]] in terms of his [[JackOfAllTrades all-rounder]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad yet selfish]] play-style where he can [[RenaissanceMan literally]] [[JackOfAllStats do]] [[MasterOfAll anything]] on the basketball court[[note]](attack from outside by shooting threes, steal balls, drive through a tight defense, do flying dunks from across the free throw line, or score in the paint)[[/note]]. Aside from play-style, Rukawa also wore Jordan's signature left armband. Like Jordan, Rukawa's character development came about when he learned the value of [[TeamSpirit team play]] and [[BoringButPractical passing the ball]].[[note]]Also, in a case of LifeImitatesArt, Rukawa passing to Sakuragi to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1996 against Sanno High actually happened for real when Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1997 against the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals.[[/note]]
** Takenori Akagi is probably based on [[LargeAndInCharge Patrick Ewing]] from the New York Knicks because they have the same [[{{Expy}} physical]] [[CaptainErsatz appearance]] and the [[GeniusBruiser same position]] in the court. However, Ewing possesses better mid-range shooting, something that Akagi doesn't have.[[note]]Akagi started off very raw and had a terrible free throw percentage until his second year in high school. In contrast, Ewing's free throw percentage is respectable amongst centers (74% all time). Akagi's angst in being the only good player in his team in his first two years of high school also mirrors Ewing's frustrations of never being an NBA champion despite winning Rookie of the Year in 1986 and being an 11-time NBA All-Star.[[/note]]
** [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ryota/Ryouta]] Miyagi is likely based on former NBA player [[WeakButSkilled Muggsy Bogues]], particularly during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.[[note]]Miyagi's shortness in height yet amazing ability to use his quickness to get past his defenders is quite Bogues-like. Bogues is still the Hornets' franchise leader in steals. Unlike Bogues, Ryota can steal the ball [[HeroicAmbidexterity left-handed]], and has a more accurate left-handed layup despite shooting right handed.[[/note]] Arguably, Miyagi could instead be comparable to [[SuperSpeed Kevin Johnson]] of the Phoenix Suns based on the timing of Miyagi's first appearance, among other factors.[[note]]They have the same jersey number, same speed and agility, same play-style that's even more accurate to Johnson than the Bouges comparison, and same impressive stamina. Like Kevin Johnson's face-off against Magic Johnson, Miyagi also ended up facing the Kainan Team Captain Maki in a duel to see who's Kanagawa's Number One point guard.[[/note]]
** Hisashi Mitsui is likely based on former NBA player [[ImprobableAimingSkills Craig Hodges]] during his run with the Bulls.[[note]]They both wore the No. 14 jersey and were [[CripplingOverspecialization three-point shooters]].[[/note]] There's also [[BrokenAce Jeff Hornacek]] of the Phoenix Suns/Philadelphia 76ers.[[note]]This is due to him also wearing the No. 14 jersey and having [[DentedIron left knee]] [[GameBreakingInjury problems]]. Like Mitsui, Hornacek also wore a knee brace as his knees deteriorated from the strain of shooting practice.[[/note]] According to [[https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1364780 several]] [[https://www.reddit.com/r/RealSlamDunk/comments/fsexzv/nba_2k20_slam_dunk/ websites]], Mitsui might also be based on gold medalist shooting guard [[CombatPragmatist Reggie Miller]] of the Indiana Pacers.
** According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyIsCool Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].
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Changed line(s) 29,35 (click to see context) from:
* Shoyo is likely based on the Boston Celtics (of whom they share jersey colors with) under Larry Bird's leadership.
** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the perimeter with accurate twos and threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992.
*** He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic plays, multitude of assists, quality passes, and smaller stature.
*** The way Fujima served as the player-coach of Shoyo, meanwhile, is reminiscent of how Bill Russell fulfilled the same role for the Celtics from 1966 to 1969.
** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense.
*** He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the perimeter with accurate twos and threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992.
*** He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic plays, multitude of assists, quality passes, and smaller stature.
*** The way Fujima served as the player-coach of Shoyo, meanwhile, is reminiscent of how Bill Russell fulfilled the same role for the Celtics from 1966 to 1969.
** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense.
*** He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
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* Kainan University Affiliated High School, meanwhile, shares the gold and purple colors of the L.A. Lakers.
** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but they share the same tall, thin body. Jin's consistent threes as a shooting guard is also reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde "The Glide" Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan Expy]] in terms of [[SuperReflexes high-flying athleticism]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's [[Determinator killer instinct]])[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but they share the same tall, thin body. Jin's consistent threes as a shooting guard is also reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde "The Glide" Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan Expy]] in terms of [[SuperReflexes high-flying athleticism]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's [[Determinator killer instinct]])[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
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* As for Ryonan, they share jersey colors with [[Creator/ShaquilleONeal Shaquille O'Neal's]] Orlando Magic.[[note]]The same Orlando Magic that managed to beat Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1995 during the playoffs with a score of 108-102.[[/note]]
** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird/Johnson comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
** Ryonan's Captain Jun Uozumi is likely based on Dikembe Mutombo and Shaquille O'Neal for their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities as well as Shaq's offensive dunk sets. He could also be Alonzo Mourning based on his rivalry with Ewing Expy Akagi.[[note]]Since Shaq debuted in the NBA in 1992 (although he was a standout in LSU from 1989-1992), the [[BigGuyLittleGuy big man and (relatively) smaller guy]] relationship between Sendo and Uozumi is likely based on the Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tandem or the Larry Bird and Kevin [=McHale=] tandem from the 1980s to the 1990s. It did help that from 1993 onwards, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal developed a [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting similar]] [[LifeImitatesArt chemistry]] down the line.[[/note]]
** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird/Johnson comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
** Ryonan's Captain Jun Uozumi is likely based on Dikembe Mutombo and Shaquille O'Neal for their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities as well as Shaq's offensive dunk sets. He could also be Alonzo Mourning based on his rivalry with Ewing Expy Akagi.[[note]]Since Shaq debuted in the NBA in 1992 (although he was a standout in LSU from 1989-1992), the [[BigGuyLittleGuy big man and (relatively) smaller guy]] relationship between Sendo and Uozumi is likely based on the Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tandem or the Larry Bird and Kevin [=McHale=] tandem from the 1980s to the 1990s. It did help that from 1993 onwards, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal developed a [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting similar]] [[LifeImitatesArt chemistry]] down the line.[[/note]]
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** Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]].
** He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird/Johnson comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
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* Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] led by Isiah Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]].[[/note]]
** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style. On the other hand, the Pistons started off as an all-offense team that eventualy developed into a more defensive team that allowed them to win back-to-back championships and stymie Michael Jordan's early ambitions of getting a championship.[[/note]]
** Tsuyoshi Minami, the Ace Killer of Toyotama, is reminiscent of Bill Laimbeer because of his rough play-style. Therefore, Rukawa being [[TheDeterminator able to play]] despite his bleeding injury from Minami is reminiscent of how Larry Bird was still able to play despite being injured by a [[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/01/sports/nba-playoffs-bird-scores-42-as-celtics-take-2-0-lead.html blow to the chin]] by Laimbeer.
** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style. On the other hand, the Pistons started off as an all-offense team that eventualy developed into a more defensive team that allowed them to win back-to-back championships and stymie Michael Jordan's early ambitions of getting a championship.[[/note]]
** Tsuyoshi Minami, the Ace Killer of Toyotama, is reminiscent of Bill Laimbeer because of his rough play-style. Therefore, Rukawa being [[TheDeterminator able to play]] despite his bleeding injury from Minami is reminiscent of how Larry Bird was still able to play despite being injured by a [[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/01/sports/nba-playoffs-bird-scores-42-as-celtics-take-2-0-lead.html blow to the chin]] by Laimbeer.
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* The [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Sannoh/Sanno/Sannou Industry Affiliated High School]], the defending National Champions for three years straight, has jersey colors and a logo reminiscent of the San Antonio Spurs.
** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
** As for fellow Sannoh teammate Masashi Kawata, he may likely be the center version of [[LightningBruiser Sir Charles Barkley]] of Phoenix Suns fame.[[note]]In terms of play-style, they both possess great physiques that they use to [[HardWorkHardlyWorks overwhelm the weaker opposing players]]. Furthermore, they have the same history of [[HeightAngst being short]] during [[TroubledChild childhood]], they share their [[TheCasanova love for women]], they also have a belligerent [[DeadpanSnarker sense of humor]], and they [[{{Expy}} look similar]].[[/note]]
** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
** As for fellow Sannoh teammate Masashi Kawata, he may likely be the center version of [[LightningBruiser Sir Charles Barkley]] of Phoenix Suns fame.[[note]]In terms of play-style, they both possess great physiques that they use to [[HardWorkHardlyWorks overwhelm the weaker opposing players]]. Furthermore, they have the same history of [[HeightAngst being short]] during [[TroubledChild childhood]], they share their [[TheCasanova love for women]], they also have a belligerent [[DeadpanSnarker sense of humor]], and they [[{{Expy}} look similar]].[[/note]]
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** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense. He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
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** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense.
*** He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
*** He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
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** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992. He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic plays and smaller stature.
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** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992.
**** He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategicplays plays, multitude of assists, quality passes, and smaller stature.stature.
**** The way Fujima served as the player-coach of Shoyo, meanwhile, is reminiscent of how Bill Russell fulfilled the same role for the Celtics from 1966 to 1969.
**** He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic
**** The way Fujima served as the player-coach of Shoyo, meanwhile, is reminiscent of how Bill Russell fulfilled the same role for the Celtics from 1966 to 1969.
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* On Episode 59, "Last 10 Seconds! A Perfect Conclusion" (aired in 1995) and Chapter 130 to 131, "Heaven and Hell (Part 1 and 2)" (published in 1993), the desperation finger block on Hisashi Mitsui by Nobunaga Kiyota had [[LifeImitatesArt shades]] of Hakeem Olajuwon blocking John Stark's potential [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3-64I6zp7k game winner]] in Game 6 of the 1994 NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks.
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** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
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** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird Bird/Johnson comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
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* There are [[https://daydaynews.cc/en/sports/398316.html several]] [[https://www.basugasubakuhatsu.com/blog/2005/12/23/slam-dunk-manga-artist-accused-of-plagiarism/ examples]] of author Takehiko Inoue [[http://sonic.net/~tabine/crosscourse/AcademicDishonesty/plagiarism100522.html referencing]] [[https://izreloaded.blogspot.com/2007/02/slam-dunk-copies-from-nba-pics.html photographs]] of real NBA players to make the covers and in-game action poses of the ''Slam Dunk'' manga. Some argue it's outright [[UsefulNotes/{{Plagiarism}} plagiarism]] while others argue it's simple referencing and [[{{Homage}} homage]].
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* There are [[https://daydaynews.cc/en/sports/398316.html several]] [[https://www.basugasubakuhatsu.com/blog/2005/12/23/slam-dunk-manga-artist-accused-of-plagiarism/ examples]] of author Takehiko Inoue [[http://sonic.net/~tabine/crosscourse/AcademicDishonesty/plagiarism100522.html referencing]] [[https://izreloaded.blogspot.com/2007/02/slam-dunk-copies-from-nba-pics.html photographs]] of real NBA players to make the covers and in-game action poses of the ''Slam Dunk'' manga. Some argue it's outright [[UsefulNotes/{{Plagiarism}} plagiarism]] while others argue it's simple referencing and [[{{Homage}} homage]].homage]].
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** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde "The Glide" Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan Expy]] in terms of [[SuperReflexes high-flying athleticism]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's [[Determinator killer instinct]])[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
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** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his they share the same tall, thin body. Jin's consistent threes as a shooting guard is also reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde "The Glide" Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan Expy]] in terms of [[SuperReflexes high-flying athleticism]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's [[Determinator killer instinct]])[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
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** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instinct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
to:
** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde "The Glide" Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] Expy]] in terms of [[SuperReflexes high-flying athleticism]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's [[Determinator killer instinct)[[/note]] instinct]])[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
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** The true Shaquille O'Neal equivalent of the ''Slam Dunk'' universe is instead [[UnskilledButStrong Hiroshi Morishige]] of Meihou High School (Aichi's Number One High School basketball-wise). He and Shaq both share the same [[TheBigGuy body shape]], [[SuperStrength style of play]], and [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength boundless power]].
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Added folders.
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* The real-life [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] equivalents of the teams and players of ''Slam Dunk'' is always a fun topic to explore. Creator/TakehikoInoue is quite the [[{{Understatement}} hardcore basketball fan]] indeed.
** Shoyo is likely based on the Boston Celtics (of whom they share jersey colors with) under Larry Bird's leadership.
*** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the perimeter with accurate twos and threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
*** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992. He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic plays and smaller stature.
*** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense. He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
** Kainan University Affiliated High School, meanwhile, shares the gold and purple colors of the L.A. Lakers.
*** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
*** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instinct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
** If Kainan is the Lakers and Shoyo is the Celtics, then naturally the [[EnsembleDarkHorse Dark Horse]] of Kanagawa, Shohoku, is the ''Slam Dunk'' equivalent of the Chicago Bulls under UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan.
*** Even Kaede Rukawa himself is reminiscent of a young, brash, and ball-hogging [[TheAce Michael]] [[InsufferableGenius Jordan]] in terms of his [[JackOfAllTrades all-rounder]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad yet selfish]] play-style where he can [[RenaissanceMan literally]] [[JackOfAllStats do]] [[MasterOfAll anything]] on the basketball court[[note]](attack from outside by shooting threes, steal balls, drive through a tight defense, do flying dunks from across the free throw line, or score in the paint)[[/note]]. Aside from play-style, Rukawa also wore Jordan's signature left armband. Like Jordan, Rukawa's character development came about when he learned the value of [[TeamSpirit team play]] and [[BoringButPractical passing the ball]].[[note]]Also, in a case of LifeImitatesArt, Rukawa passing to Sakuragi to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1996 against Sanno High actually happened for real when Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1997 against the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals.[[/note]]
*** Takenori Akagi is probably based on [[LargeAndInCharge Patrick Ewing]] from the New York Knicks because they have the same [[{{Expy}} physical]] [[CaptainErsatz appearance]] and the [[GeniusBruiser same position]] in the court. However, Ewing possesses better mid-range shooting, something that Akagi doesn't have.[[note]]Akagi started off very raw and had a terrible free throw percentage until his second year in high school. In contrast, Ewing's free throw percentage is respectable amongst centers (74% all time). Akagi's angst in being the only good player in his team in his first two years of high school also mirrors Ewing's frustrations of never being an NBA champion despite winning Rookie of the Year in 1986 and being an 11-time NBA All-Star.[[/note]]
*** [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ryota/Ryouta]] Miyagi is likely based on former NBA player [[WeakButSkilled Muggsy Bogues]], particularly during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.[[note]]Miyagi's shortness in height yet amazing ability to use his quickness to get past his defenders is quite Bogues-like. Bogues is still the Hornets' franchise leader in steals. Unlike Bogues, Ryota can steal the ball [[HeroicAmbidexterity left-handed]], and has a more accurate left-handed layup despite shooting right handed.[[/note]] Arguably, Miyagi could instead be comparable to [[SuperSpeed Kevin Johnson]] of the Phoenix Suns based on the timing of Miyagi's first appearance, among other factors.[[note]]They have the same jersey number, same speed and agility, same play-style that's even more accurate to Johnson than the Bouges comparison, and same impressive stamina. Like Kevin Johnson's face-off against Magic Johnson, Miyagi also ended up facing the Kainan Team Captain Maki in a duel to see who's Kanagawa's Number One point guard.[[/note]]
*** Hisashi Mitsui is likely based on former NBA player [[ImprobableAimingSkills Craig Hodges]] during his run with the Bulls.[[note]]They both wore the No. 14 jersey and were [[CripplingOverspecialization three-point shooters]].[[/note]] There's also [[BrokenAce Jeff Hornacek]] of the Phoenix Suns/Philadelphia 76ers.[[note]]This is due to him also wearing the No. 14 jersey and having [[DentedIron left knee]] [[GameBreakingInjury problems]]. Like Mitsui, Hornacek also wore a knee brace as his knees deteriorated from the strain of shooting practice.[[/note]] According to [[https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1364780 several]] [[https://www.reddit.com/r/RealSlamDunk/comments/fsexzv/nba_2k20_slam_dunk/ websites]], Mitsui might also be based on gold medalist shooting guard [[CombatPragmatist Reggie Miller]] of the Indiana Pacers.
*** According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyIsCool Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].
** As for Ryonan, they share jersey colors with [[Creator/ShaquilleONeal Shaquille O'Neal's]] Orlando Magic.[[note]]The same Orlando Magic that managed to beat Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1995 during the playoffs with a score of 108-102.[[/note]]
*** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
*** Ryonan's Captain Jun Uozumi is likely based on Dikembe Mutombo and Shaquille O'Neal for their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities as well as Shaq's offensive dunk sets. He could also be Alonzo Mourning based on his rivalry with Ewing Expy Akagi.[[note]]Since Shaq debuted in the NBA in 1992 (although he was a standout in LSU from 1989-1992), the [[BigGuyLittleGuy big man and (relatively) smaller guy]] relationship between Sendo and Uozumi is likely based on the Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tandem or the Larry Bird and Kevin [=McHale=] tandem from the 1980s to the 1990s. It did help that from 1993 onwards, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal developed a [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting similar]] [[LifeImitatesArt chemistry]] down the line.[[/note]]
** Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] led by Isiah Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]].[[/note]]
*** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style. On the other hand, the Pistons started off as an all-offense team that eventualy developed into a more defensive team that allowed them to win back-to-back championships and stymie Michael Jordan's early ambitions of getting a championship.[[/note]]
*** Tsuyoshi Minami, the Ace Killer of Toyotama, is reminiscent of Bill Laimbeer because of his rough play-style. Therefore, Rukawa being [[TheDeterminator able to play]] despite his bleeding injury from Minami is reminiscent of how Larry Bird was still able to play despite being injured by a [[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/01/sports/nba-playoffs-bird-scores-42-as-celtics-take-2-0-lead.html blow to the chin]] by Laimbeer.
** The [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Sannoh/Sanno/Sannou Industry Affiliated High School]], the defending National Champions for three years straight, has jersey colors and a logo reminiscent of the San Antonio Spurs.
*** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
*** As for fellow Sannoh teammate Masashi Kawata, he may likely be the center version of [[LightningBruiser Sir Charles Barkley]] of Phoenix Suns fame.[[note]]In terms of play-style, they both possess great physiques that they use to [[HardWorkHardlyWorks overwhelm the weaker opposing players]]. Furthermore, they have the same history of [[HeightAngst being short]] during [[TroubledChild childhood]], they share their [[TheCasanova love for women]], they also have a belligerent [[DeadpanSnarker sense of humor]], and they [[{{Expy}} look similar]].[[/note]]
** The true Shaquille O'Neal equivalent of the ''Slam Dunk'' universe is instead [[UnskilledButStrong Hiroshi Morishige]] of Meihou High School (Aichi's Number One High School basketball-wise). He and Shaq both share the same [[TheBigGuy body shape]], [[SuperStrength style of play]], and [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength boundless power]].
** Shoyo is likely based on the Boston Celtics (of whom they share jersey colors with) under Larry Bird's leadership.
*** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the perimeter with accurate twos and threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
*** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992. He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic plays and smaller stature.
*** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense. He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
** Kainan University Affiliated High School, meanwhile, shares the gold and purple colors of the L.A. Lakers.
*** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
*** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instinct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
** If Kainan is the Lakers and Shoyo is the Celtics, then naturally the [[EnsembleDarkHorse Dark Horse]] of Kanagawa, Shohoku, is the ''Slam Dunk'' equivalent of the Chicago Bulls under UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan.
*** Even Kaede Rukawa himself is reminiscent of a young, brash, and ball-hogging [[TheAce Michael]] [[InsufferableGenius Jordan]] in terms of his [[JackOfAllTrades all-rounder]] [[SpotlightStealingSquad yet selfish]] play-style where he can [[RenaissanceMan literally]] [[JackOfAllStats do]] [[MasterOfAll anything]] on the basketball court[[note]](attack from outside by shooting threes, steal balls, drive through a tight defense, do flying dunks from across the free throw line, or score in the paint)[[/note]]. Aside from play-style, Rukawa also wore Jordan's signature left armband. Like Jordan, Rukawa's character development came about when he learned the value of [[TeamSpirit team play]] and [[BoringButPractical passing the ball]].[[note]]Also, in a case of LifeImitatesArt, Rukawa passing to Sakuragi to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1996 against Sanno High actually happened for real when Jordan passed to Steve Kerr to get the game-winning buzzer beater in 1997 against the Utah Jazz during the NBA Finals.[[/note]]
*** Takenori Akagi is probably based on [[LargeAndInCharge Patrick Ewing]] from the New York Knicks because they have the same [[{{Expy}} physical]] [[CaptainErsatz appearance]] and the [[GeniusBruiser same position]] in the court. However, Ewing possesses better mid-range shooting, something that Akagi doesn't have.[[note]]Akagi started off very raw and had a terrible free throw percentage until his second year in high school. In contrast, Ewing's free throw percentage is respectable amongst centers (74% all time). Akagi's angst in being the only good player in his team in his first two years of high school also mirrors Ewing's frustrations of never being an NBA champion despite winning Rookie of the Year in 1986 and being an 11-time NBA All-Star.[[/note]]
*** [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ryota/Ryouta]] Miyagi is likely based on former NBA player [[WeakButSkilled Muggsy Bogues]], particularly during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.[[note]]Miyagi's shortness in height yet amazing ability to use his quickness to get past his defenders is quite Bogues-like. Bogues is still the Hornets' franchise leader in steals. Unlike Bogues, Ryota can steal the ball [[HeroicAmbidexterity left-handed]], and has a more accurate left-handed layup despite shooting right handed.[[/note]] Arguably, Miyagi could instead be comparable to [[SuperSpeed Kevin Johnson]] of the Phoenix Suns based on the timing of Miyagi's first appearance, among other factors.[[note]]They have the same jersey number, same speed and agility, same play-style that's even more accurate to Johnson than the Bouges comparison, and same impressive stamina. Like Kevin Johnson's face-off against Magic Johnson, Miyagi also ended up facing the Kainan Team Captain Maki in a duel to see who's Kanagawa's Number One point guard.[[/note]]
*** Hisashi Mitsui is likely based on former NBA player [[ImprobableAimingSkills Craig Hodges]] during his run with the Bulls.[[note]]They both wore the No. 14 jersey and were [[CripplingOverspecialization three-point shooters]].[[/note]] There's also [[BrokenAce Jeff Hornacek]] of the Phoenix Suns/Philadelphia 76ers.[[note]]This is due to him also wearing the No. 14 jersey and having [[DentedIron left knee]] [[GameBreakingInjury problems]]. Like Mitsui, Hornacek also wore a knee brace as his knees deteriorated from the strain of shooting practice.[[/note]] According to [[https://forums.realgm.com/boards/viewtopic.php?t=1364780 several]] [[https://www.reddit.com/r/RealSlamDunk/comments/fsexzv/nba_2k20_slam_dunk/ websites]], Mitsui might also be based on gold medalist shooting guard [[CombatPragmatist Reggie Miller]] of the Indiana Pacers.
*** According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyIsCool Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].
** As for Ryonan, they share jersey colors with [[Creator/ShaquilleONeal Shaquille O'Neal's]] Orlando Magic.[[note]]The same Orlando Magic that managed to beat Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1995 during the playoffs with a score of 108-102.[[/note]]
*** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
*** Ryonan's Captain Jun Uozumi is likely based on Dikembe Mutombo and Shaquille O'Neal for their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities as well as Shaq's offensive dunk sets. He could also be Alonzo Mourning based on his rivalry with Ewing Expy Akagi.[[note]]Since Shaq debuted in the NBA in 1992 (although he was a standout in LSU from 1989-1992), the [[BigGuyLittleGuy big man and (relatively) smaller guy]] relationship between Sendo and Uozumi is likely based on the Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tandem or the Larry Bird and Kevin [=McHale=] tandem from the 1980s to the 1990s. It did help that from 1993 onwards, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal developed a [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting similar]] [[LifeImitatesArt chemistry]] down the line.[[/note]]
** Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] led by Isiah Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]].[[/note]]
*** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style. On the other hand, the Pistons started off as an all-offense team that eventualy developed into a more defensive team that allowed them to win back-to-back championships and stymie Michael Jordan's early ambitions of getting a championship.[[/note]]
*** Tsuyoshi Minami, the Ace Killer of Toyotama, is reminiscent of Bill Laimbeer because of his rough play-style. Therefore, Rukawa being [[TheDeterminator able to play]] despite his bleeding injury from Minami is reminiscent of how Larry Bird was still able to play despite being injured by a [[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/01/sports/nba-playoffs-bird-scores-42-as-celtics-take-2-0-lead.html blow to the chin]] by Laimbeer.
** The [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Sannoh/Sanno/Sannou Industry Affiliated High School]], the defending National Champions for three years straight, has jersey colors and a logo reminiscent of the San Antonio Spurs.
*** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
*** As for fellow Sannoh teammate Masashi Kawata, he may likely be the center version of [[LightningBruiser Sir Charles Barkley]] of Phoenix Suns fame.[[note]]In terms of play-style, they both possess great physiques that they use to [[HardWorkHardlyWorks overwhelm the weaker opposing players]]. Furthermore, they have the same history of [[HeightAngst being short]] during [[TroubledChild childhood]], they share their [[TheCasanova love for women]], they also have a belligerent [[DeadpanSnarker sense of humor]], and they [[{{Expy}} look similar]].[[/note]]
** The true Shaquille O'Neal equivalent of the ''Slam Dunk'' universe is instead [[UnskilledButStrong Hiroshi Morishige]] of Meihou High School (Aichi's Number One High School basketball-wise). He and Shaq both share the same [[TheBigGuy body shape]], [[SuperStrength style of play]], and [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength boundless power]].
to:
[[foldercontrol]]
!Real-Life NBA Team Models
The real-life [[UsefulNotes/NationalBasketballAssociation NBA]] equivalents of the teams and players of ''Slam Dunk'' is always a fun topic to explore. Creator/TakehikoInoue is quite the [[{{Understatement}} hardcore basketball fan]]
**
[[folder:Shohoku High School]]
* If Kainan is the Lakers and Shoyo is
*** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in
*** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense. He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
*** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
*** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instinct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
** If Kainan is the Lakers and Shoyo is the Celtics, then naturally the [[EnsembleDarkHorse Dark Horse]] of Kanagawa, Shohoku, is the ''Slam Dunk'' equivalent of the Chicago Bulls under UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan.
***
Added DiffLines:
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Shoyo High School]]
* Shoyo is likely based on the Boston Celtics (of whom they share jersey colors with) under Larry Bird's leadership.
** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the perimeter with accurate twos and threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992. He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic plays and smaller stature.
** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense. He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kainan University Affiliated High School]]
* Kainan University Affiliated High School, meanwhile, shares the gold and purple colors of the L.A. Lakers.
** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instinct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Ryonan High School]]
* As for Ryonan, they share jersey colors with [[Creator/ShaquilleONeal Shaquille O'Neal's]] Orlando Magic.[[note]]The same Orlando Magic that managed to beat Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1995 during the playoffs with a score of 108-102.[[/note]]
** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
** Ryonan's Captain Jun Uozumi is likely based on Dikembe Mutombo and Shaquille O'Neal for their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities as well as Shaq's offensive dunk sets. He could also be Alonzo Mourning based on his rivalry with Ewing Expy Akagi.[[note]]Since Shaq debuted in the NBA in 1992 (although he was a standout in LSU from 1989-1992), the [[BigGuyLittleGuy big man and (relatively) smaller guy]] relationship between Sendo and Uozumi is likely based on the Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tandem or the Larry Bird and Kevin [=McHale=] tandem from the 1980s to the 1990s. It did help that from 1993 onwards, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal developed a [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting similar]] [[LifeImitatesArt chemistry]] down the line.[[/note]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Toyotama High School]]
* Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] led by Isiah Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]].[[/note]]
** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style. On the other hand, the Pistons started off as an all-offense team that eventualy developed into a more defensive team that allowed them to win back-to-back championships and stymie Michael Jordan's early ambitions of getting a championship.[[/note]]
** Tsuyoshi Minami, the Ace Killer of Toyotama, is reminiscent of Bill Laimbeer because of his rough play-style. Therefore, Rukawa being [[TheDeterminator able to play]] despite his bleeding injury from Minami is reminiscent of how Larry Bird was still able to play despite being injured by a [[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/01/sports/nba-playoffs-bird-scores-42-as-celtics-take-2-0-lead.html blow to the chin]] by Laimbeer.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Sanno Industry Affiliated High School]]
* The [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Sannoh/Sanno/Sannou Industry Affiliated High School]], the defending National Champions for three years straight, has jersey colors and a logo reminiscent of the San Antonio Spurs.
** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
** As for fellow Sannoh teammate Masashi Kawata, he may likely be the center version of [[LightningBruiser Sir Charles Barkley]] of Phoenix Suns fame.[[note]]In terms of play-style, they both possess great physiques that they use to [[HardWorkHardlyWorks overwhelm the weaker opposing players]]. Furthermore, they have the same history of [[HeightAngst being short]] during [[TroubledChild childhood]], they share their [[TheCasanova love for women]], they also have a belligerent [[DeadpanSnarker sense of humor]], and they [[{{Expy}} look similar]].[[/note]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Meihou High School]]
** The true Shaquille O'Neal equivalent of the ''Slam Dunk'' universe is instead [[UnskilledButStrong Hiroshi Morishige]] of Meihou High School (Aichi's Number One High School basketball-wise). He and Shaq both share the same [[TheBigGuy body shape]], [[SuperStrength style of play]], and [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength boundless power]].
[[/folder]]
!Miscellaneous
[[folder:Shoyo High School]]
* Shoyo is likely based on the Boston Celtics (of whom they share jersey colors with) under Larry Bird's leadership.
** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the perimeter with accurate twos and threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
** Meanwhile, their team captain and coach [[FragileSpeedster Kenji]] [[GlassCannon Fujima]] serves as their [[TheStrategist Larry]] [[GuileHero Bird]]. Just as Fujima served as Shoyo's coach/player, Bird himself ended up becoming a successful NBA coach after he retired in 1992. He also has shades of [[WeakButSkilled John Stockton]] in him due to his high I.Q. strategic plays and smaller stature.
** Fujima's second-in-command, the 197 cm/6'6" Toru Hanagata, may probably be based on NBA player [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant Kevin McHale]] due to his post proficiency, slender build, and tactical way of playing to outwit the defense. He could also be likened to [[SimpleYetAwesome Hakeem "The Dream" Olajuwon]] of the Houston Rockets in terms of his fakes reminiscent of the "Dream Shake" (a spin move involving foot pivots and feints).
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Kainan University Affiliated High School]]
* Kainan University Affiliated High School, meanwhile, shares the gold and purple colors of the L.A. Lakers.
** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instinct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Ryonan High School]]
* As for Ryonan, they share jersey colors with [[Creator/ShaquilleONeal Shaquille O'Neal's]] Orlando Magic.[[note]]The same Orlando Magic that managed to beat Jordan's Chicago Bulls in 1995 during the playoffs with a score of 108-102.[[/note]]
** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
** Ryonan's Captain Jun Uozumi is likely based on Dikembe Mutombo and Shaquille O'Neal for their rebounding and shot-blocking abilities as well as Shaq's offensive dunk sets. He could also be Alonzo Mourning based on his rivalry with Ewing Expy Akagi.[[note]]Since Shaq debuted in the NBA in 1992 (although he was a standout in LSU from 1989-1992), the [[BigGuyLittleGuy big man and (relatively) smaller guy]] relationship between Sendo and Uozumi is likely based on the Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar tandem or the Larry Bird and Kevin [=McHale=] tandem from the 1980s to the 1990s. It did help that from 1993 onwards, Penny Hardaway and Shaquille O'Neal developed a [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting similar]] [[LifeImitatesArt chemistry]] down the line.[[/note]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Toyotama High School]]
* Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] led by Isiah Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]].[[/note]]
** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style. On the other hand, the Pistons started off as an all-offense team that eventualy developed into a more defensive team that allowed them to win back-to-back championships and stymie Michael Jordan's early ambitions of getting a championship.[[/note]]
** Tsuyoshi Minami, the Ace Killer of Toyotama, is reminiscent of Bill Laimbeer because of his rough play-style. Therefore, Rukawa being [[TheDeterminator able to play]] despite his bleeding injury from Minami is reminiscent of how Larry Bird was still able to play despite being injured by a [[https://www.nytimes.com/1985/05/01/sports/nba-playoffs-bird-scores-42-as-celtics-take-2-0-lead.html blow to the chin]] by Laimbeer.
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Sanno Industry Affiliated High School]]
* The [[DefeatingTheUndefeatable Sannoh/Sanno/Sannou Industry Affiliated High School]], the defending National Champions for three years straight, has jersey colors and a logo reminiscent of the San Antonio Spurs.
** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
** As for fellow Sannoh teammate Masashi Kawata, he may likely be the center version of [[LightningBruiser Sir Charles Barkley]] of Phoenix Suns fame.[[note]]In terms of play-style, they both possess great physiques that they use to [[HardWorkHardlyWorks overwhelm the weaker opposing players]]. Furthermore, they have the same history of [[HeightAngst being short]] during [[TroubledChild childhood]], they share their [[TheCasanova love for women]], they also have a belligerent [[DeadpanSnarker sense of humor]], and they [[{{Expy}} look similar]].[[/note]]
[[/folder]]
[[folder:Meihou High School]]
** The true Shaquille O'Neal equivalent of the ''Slam Dunk'' universe is instead [[UnskilledButStrong Hiroshi Morishige]] of Meihou High School (Aichi's Number One High School basketball-wise). He and Shaq both share the same [[TheBigGuy body shape]], [[SuperStrength style of play]], and [[DoesNotKnowHisOwnStrength boundless power]].
[[/folder]]
!Miscellaneous
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*** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite of Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instnct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
to:
*** Soichiro Jin is probably Kainan's closest analog to Creator/KareemAbdulJabbar. He might not share Kareem's position (center), but his consistent threes as a shooting guard is reminiscent of how unstoppable and accurate Kareem's [[SignatureMove Sky Hook]] is.[[note]]Despite of Jin's height, he wasn't made a center because he lacked the strength and build needed to face off against beefier centers like Akagi, Uozumi, and even Hanagata. So he instead practiced his threes until he became even more [[ImprobableAimingSkills accurate and consistent]] with the shot than Mitsui.[[/note]] He could also be considered a [[CompositeCharacter hybrid]] of Scottie Pippen[[note]](TheLancer and foil to Michael Jordan's [[TheHero protagonist status]] as TheAce of the Chicago Bulls)[[/note]] and Clyde Drexler[[note]](the actual [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrdKLg30_Mk Michael Jordan clone]] before either Penny Hardaway or Kobe Bryant even entered the league, but he lacked Jordan's killer instnct)[[/note]] instinct)[[/note]] in terms of play-style.
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*** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
to:
*** Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].play-style. On the other hand, the Pistons started off as an all-offense team that eventualy developed into a more defensive team that allowed them to win back-to-back championships and stymie Michael Jordan's early ambitions of getting a championship.[[/note]]
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* On Episode 59, "Last 10 Seconds! A Perfect Conclusion" (aired in 1995) and Chapter 130 to 131, "Heaven and Hell (Part 1 and 2)" (published in 1993), the desperation finger block on Hisashi Mitsui by Nobunaga Kiyota had shades of Hakeem Olajuwon blocking John Stark's potential [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3-64I6zp7k game winner]] in Game 6 of the 1994 NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks.
to:
* On Episode 59, "Last 10 Seconds! A Perfect Conclusion" (aired in 1995) and Chapter 130 to 131, "Heaven and Hell (Part 1 and 2)" (published in 1993), the desperation finger block on Hisashi Mitsui by Nobunaga Kiyota had shades [[LifeImitatesArt shades]] of Hakeem Olajuwon blocking John Stark's potential [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3-64I6zp7k game winner]] in Game 6 of the 1994 NBA Finals between the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks.
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*** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the outside with accurate threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
to:
*** The Shoyo playbook[[note]]involving tall players in the paint stifling the other team's offense, getting all the rebounds, or scoring at will while supported by an unselfish point guard who could pass to any of them at anytime or shoot from the outside perimeter with accurate twos and threes[[/note]] is quite reminiscent of the play-style of the 1980s Celtics as well.
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*** According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyAwesome Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].
to:
*** According to [[WordOfGod Takehiko Inoue]], Hanamichi Sakuragi is based off of NBA All-Star Charles Barkley in terms of rebounding acuity and dunking power.[[note]]They even share a gift of gab in terms of [[BoisterousBruiser trash talking]] to boot.[[/note]] From there, Sakuragi after Shohoku's defeat against Kainan[[note]](where he had his ImportantHaircut in penance for the loss) [[/note]][[CharacterDevelopment "became"]] more like [[CrazyAwesome [[CrazyIsCool Dennis Rodman]] from the "Bad Boy" [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons]] and [[RatedMForManly San Antonio Spurs]].[[note]]They share the same rough play-style that results in many fouls, [[BoisterousBruiser strength]] and [[EnduranceDuel stamina]], pure athleticism, [[InASingleBound jumping height]], and ability to get [[{{Determinator}} endless rebounds]]. However, unlike Sakuragi, Rodman is a hassle-play defense specialist who can lock down anyone in the NBA, including Michael Jordan (with some help from the "Bad Boy" Pistons and their [[LoopholeAbuse "Jordan]] [[UnnecessaryRoughness Rules"]]).[[/note]]The fact that Rodman ended up with the Bulls in 1995 is probably [[LifeImitatesArt a]] [[HilariousInHindsight happy]] [[AccidentallyCorrectWriting coincidence]].
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*** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
to:
*** In turn, Akira Sendo may likely be based on NBA legend [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Larry "Legend" Bird]] too, just like Fujima (and despite Shoyo being the Boston Celtics analog).[[note]]This is mainly because of Sendo being a scoring forward capable of playing point guard. Sendo also has more of Bird's [[ImpossiblyGracefulGiant imposing height]] and [[AllOrNothing clutch]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEXcN5gK7IU mentality]] compared to Fujima, as seen in the Shohoku practice game.[[/note]] Around after 1993, he started resembling [[JackOfAllStats Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway Hardaway]] more and more (Hardaway started playing for the NBA in 1993)[[note]]as they are both talented point guards [[StrongAndSkilled in spite of their height]]. They both share the same friendly attitude and great ability as playmakers and leaders as well[[/note]]. He could also be based on [[CompositeCharacter Magic Johnson]] like Maki in light of the points above and the fact that they both wear Converse Conquest Mid.[[note]]Speaking of Maki, his acknowledgement of Sendo as a WorthyOpponent could also give more weight to the Bird comparison. Coincidentally, in 1996, a [[PassingTheTorch similar]] [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4cP5BYSHXg meeting]] happened between Magic Johnson and Penny Hardaway.[[/note]]
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*** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](this was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
to:
*** As such, the true Penny Hardaway equivalent in ''Slam Dunk'' that arrived around the same time Hardaway was making a name for himself as "The Next [[PassingTheTorch Magic Johnson]]" or "The Next [[{{Pun}} Air]] [[UsefulNotes/MichaelJordan Apparent]]"[[note]](this Apparent]]"[[note]](This was before [[TheWrongfulHeirToTheThrone Hardaway's]] [[GameBreakingInjury unfortunate injuries]] and the true, closest Air Apparent, [[NaiveNewcomer Kobe Bryant]], wouldn't enter the league until 1996)[[/note]] 1996. Other Air Apparents included Vince Carter, Grant Hill, and Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner.)[[/note]] is [[AlwaysSomeoneBetter Eiji Sawakita]] of Sanno High.[[note]]It's only appropriate that Sendo himself could not beat Sawakita (whom he knows as [[AccidentalMisnaming Kitasawa]] instead) one-on-one, with Eiji being the true Hardaway Expy and all.[[/note]] He could also be an outright [[{{Foil}} better equivalent]] of Michael Jordan than Rukawa as well.[[note]]Sawakita has all the [[SuperpoweredEvilSide evolved 1990s Jordan skills]] that Rukawa (based on 1980s Jordan) lacks. In fact, Sawakita even wore Number 9, which is Dream Team Jordan's number.[[/note]]
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*** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
to:
*** Therefore, Kainan's unusually bulky, tall, and [[StrongAndSkilled strong point guard]] in [[LightningBruiser Shinichi Maki]] is probably their Magic Johnson, thus making them the "Showtime" Los Angeles Lakers under Magic's leadership. This further parallels the rivalry between Maki and Fujima to Magic Johnson's [[TechnicianVersusPerformer rivalry]] with Larry Bird during their primes.
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*** Ryota Miyagi is likely based on former NBA player [[WeakButSkilled Muggsy Bogues]], particularly during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.[[note]]Miyagi's shortness in height yet amazing ability to use his quickness to get past his defenders is quite Bogues-like. Bogues is still the Hornets' franchise leader in steals. Unlike Bogues, Ryota can steal the ball [[HeroicAmbidexterity left-handed]], and has a more accurate left-handed layup despite shooting right handed.[[/note]] Arguably, Miyagi could instead be comparable to [[SuperSpeed Kevin Johnson]] of the Phoenix Suns based on the timing of Miyagi's first appearance, among other factors.[[note]]They have the same jersey number, same speed and agility, same play-style that's even more accurate to Johnson than the Bouges comparison, and same impressive stamina. Like Kevin Johnson's face-off against Magic Johnson, Miyagi also ended up facing the Kainan Team Captain Maki in a duel to see who's Kanagawa's Number One point guard.[[/note]]
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*** Ryota [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Ryota/Ryouta]] Miyagi is likely based on former NBA player [[WeakButSkilled Muggsy Bogues]], particularly during his stint with the Charlotte Hornets.[[note]]Miyagi's shortness in height yet amazing ability to use his quickness to get past his defenders is quite Bogues-like. Bogues is still the Hornets' franchise leader in steals. Unlike Bogues, Ryota can steal the ball [[HeroicAmbidexterity left-handed]], and has a more accurate left-handed layup despite shooting right handed.[[/note]] Arguably, Miyagi could instead be comparable to [[SuperSpeed Kevin Johnson]] of the Phoenix Suns based on the timing of Miyagi's first appearance, among other factors.[[note]]They have the same jersey number, same speed and agility, same play-style that's even more accurate to Johnson than the Bouges comparison, and same impressive stamina. Like Kevin Johnson's face-off against Magic Johnson, Miyagi also ended up facing the Kainan Team Captain Maki in a duel to see who's Kanagawa's Number One point guard.[[/note]]
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*** The Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons though.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
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*** The Although they definitely matched the physicality of the Pistons, the Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons though.Pistons.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
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** Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the Detroit Pistons led by Isiah Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]]. However, the Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
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** Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the [[GangOfBullies Detroit Pistons Pistons]] led by Isiah Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]]. However, [[/note]]
*** The Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons though.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
*** The Toyotama playbook isn't a direct copy of the Pistons though.[[note]]The Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
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** Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the Detroit Pistons led by Isiah Thomas [[note]]who stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]]. However, the Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the mirror image of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
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** Because of the Toyotama players being [[VictoryByEndurance physical]] and [[UnnecessaryRoughness rough]] with their play, the team is mostly based on the "The Bad Boys" era of the Detroit Pistons led by Isiah Thomas [[note]]who Thomas.[[note]]They stymied Jordan's early dreams of championship wins with their [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GYKrcM1k0U "Jordan Rules"]]. However, the Pistons were actually 80% defense and 20% offense instead of the other way around, with Toyotoma more reminiscent of being the [[MirrorMatch mirror image image]] of Shohoku in terms of their [[AttackAttackAttack offense-based]] play-style[[/note]].
