OT: Introducing the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In

[campybatman]

Anyone think this is a good idea?

I wonder where the star appeal for this event will come from as I seriously doubt LeBron will participant--he's having second thoughts last I'd read. Dwight Howard has exceeded the limit I think if there's a limit. And I read that Dominique Wilkins is trying to persuade Josh Smith to do it again.

For the first time the NBA will hold a nationally televised slam dunk competition - the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk-In - to determine one of the participants in the Sprite Slam Dunk, the NBA announced today.

This one-round slam dunk-in competition will be held during halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam on Friday, Feb. 12, and fans will determine the winner by voting via SMS text message and at NBA.com.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/01/13/slam ... ef:nbahpt2

The NBA has yet to announce who will be showcased in Dallas, although sources close to the situation say Toronto's DeMar DeRozan has committed, as did L.A. Lakers reserve Shannon Brown.

So with DeRozan likely in and Shannon Brown likely in, the fourth being selected by contest – who is the third contestant? Cleveland's LeBron James proclaimed last year in Phoenix that he would headline the Dallas event, however for most of the season he has downplayed that proclamation.

Dwight Howard said last night in Denver he doubted LeBron would dunk and the fans really don't understand how much that event drains you as a player.

Howard was asked why he wouldn't dunk again if he had so many unseen dunks.

"My teammates need me later in the season," said Howard. "It takes a lot of energy. It takes a lot to get up and people don't understand that."

If LeBron is not going to dunk, then who is taking his spot? Howard believes it will be another top overall pick.

"Shannon Brown, Derrick Rose, DeMar DeRozan might be in it," Howard said. "Those are the only three I can think of."

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14979

[theman]

How about Dominique Wilkins, Dr J, Michael Jordan, Kenny "sky" Walker and Muggsy Bogues?

That would be entertaining.

[CeltsfanSinceBirth]

Add this to the many thousand reasons as to why I dislike Lebron. Guy comes out and says "Mark me down for the 2010 Dunk Contest" during the 2009 dunk contest, pretty much stealing the show from the current dunk participants last year. And then when the time arrives, he chickens out. Such an attention whore.

[Scalamental]

not that i want him to win, but I'm looking forward to shannon brown, in the same way a laker fan could have looked forward to gerald green.

[irie]

It will probably be a boring dunk contest, honestly.

[campybatman]

Yeah, it was once about the star players. Then it was about first or second year or so players. Now it's about: Who can we get period. Sad. The event is a joke because the modern stars are a joke. They all should feel ashamed of themselves. Especially, LeBron... He's a heel.

Stern might as well begin bribing these star players. Personally, I'm indifferent about it. But you owe something to the little fans that probably recognize you in part for your amazing in-game dunks.

Remember, it isn't about you, it's about the fans. For you, it's about being among your peers and having fun. Why should you have to be bribed?

[chakdaddy]

This is a fantastic idea. One problem with the contest now is too few players. No chance for the random Darvin Hams and Terence Stansburys to do something great and make a name for themselves. A lot more fun to see someone come out of nowhere; a lot more chance for something interesting with larger numbers of guys. Better to have 9 boring guys and 1 great guy than 4 boring guys. Better chance of finding somebody interesting with more rounds and more contestants.

[campybatman]

Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan and Clippers guard Eric Gordon will compete in the All-Star Slam Dunk-In competition at halftime of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge on Friday, Feb. 12. The winner will advance to the All-Star Saturday Night Sprite Slam Dunk event.

DeRozan and Gordon will each get two dunks in the one-round dunk-in, with the player receiving the highest percentage of fan votes via NBA.com and SMS text messaging advancing to the dunk contest on All-Star Saturday.

http://www.nba.com/2010/news/01/12/alls ... ef:nbahpt1

[SichtingLives]

imo Derozan gets in and battles Shannon Brown in the finals. These two guys will throw down some NASTY stuff. Anything to get distance from the soap opera last year will be a breath of fresh air.

And don't think we forget your attention whoring from last years event, Lebron. All that hyping just to pu55y out, shame shame. Lebron used to seem cool but he's pulled about 15 douche moves in the last year. Get it together man, all eyes on you.

[SichtingLives]

This is a fantastic idea. One problem with the contest now is too few players. No chance for the random Darvin Hams and Terence Stansburys to do something great and make a name for themselves. A lot more fun to see someone come out of nowhere; a lot more chance for something interesting with larger numbers of guys. Better to have 9 boring guys and 1 great guy than 4 boring guys. Better chance of finding somebody interesting with more rounds and more contestants.

lol, Darvin Ham. This is probably the only memory I have of him, not that it's a bad memory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LYh59ahMgEw