Presented by: NBA All Star Weekend
Growing up I used to love the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. I got the opportunity to see some of the games brightest stars take flight, displaying their athleticism and creativity. One of the things that stuck out to me about the duels between the likes of Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins or Dee Brown vs. Shawn Kemp was the competitiveness that fueled the night. These players wanted to be known as the best at their craft…..period! Winning the competition was about more than just a $25,000 check and another trophy for the mantle. Unfortunately, some of my fellow 80’s babies were too caught up in the glitz and glamour to catch the competitiveness. Guys like Andre Iguodala, Nate Robinson and of course LeBron James have dropped the competitive ball and disappointed endless fans by not competing in what should be a high profile event this year.
No disrespect to the guys that will be competing this year, but where in the hell does the NBA come off calling this a dunk contest?!? Sure contestants Serge Ibaka and Javale McGee will throw it down after an offensive rebound in a game, but they’re not doing anything I haven’t already seen a sophomore in high school do. And maybe I’m mistaken but didn’t Brandon Jennings, who has only two dunks all year, just break his foot in December? Sure Blake Griffin is the best “above the rim” player in the game today, but is he really going to put on a show against such slop competition? It’s sad to say, but I think I’m more interested in the Celebrity All-Star Game this year.
We can’t blame the guys who will be attempting to put on a show come All-Star Saturday Night. They are just doing the best that they can as replacements for the players that should be participating, particularly LeBron James. LeBron reminds me of the kid on your block who lives with his strict grandmother. Every year he has a new excuse as to why he can’t come out and play. This time around he said he doesn’t want to be apart of the contest because, “he (Blake Griffin) already has the home court advantage”. When one of the league’s elite players has this attitude, it’s sure to have an effect on others. Why else would Dwight Howard skip the opportunity to redeem last year’s loss? The most notable excuse that we hear time and time again is that the reward of winning is not worth the risk of injury, but history seems to prove otherwise. The only players who were ever injured attempting a dunk in the contest were Tracy McGrady in 2000 and Tony Dumas in 1995. If my remedial math skills serve me correct, that’s a two percent chance of being injured. Sounds to me like LeBron has a better chance of getting hurt during his pre-game rituals, but I don’t see him holding out on the talcum powder.
But maybe it’s my fault. Perhaps I was spoiled by an era of players who stayed in the gym after practice to work on new moves for the Dunk Contest. I could be judgemental because I know that Spud Webb has won the contest despite being just 5’7”. My opinion could be jaded by the fact that I saw Vince Carter put his arm through the rim. I am no longer going to expect the NBA’s young guns to grow a competitive heart. Sure I’ll DVR the dunk contest just in case Blake Griffin decides to do a 360 windmill from the foul line. But if I want a real competition, I’ll be on YouTube checking out my favorite competitions of yesteryear.
Jordan vs. Wilkins
Vinsanity
