The New Year. It always excites me as far as sports are concerned.
It signifies the high-profile bowl games of college football, the playoffs in the NFL, the start of conference play in college basketball and finally, the NBA’s annual All-Star Weekend held in February.
Nevertheless, over the last few years I feel the events have lost their flair. I am not talking about the All-Star game itself. I’m talking about my favorite part, the Slam Dunk Contest.
Each year four contestants are chosen to pull off high-flying moves we as fans can only dream about.
Guys like Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant and Jason Richardson have pulled off some of the most insane dunks known to man in recent memory. Let’s not even mention Dr. J, Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan “His Airness” himself.
As a true fan of the NBA, I want to see Carter, Bryant, Richardson and Tracy McGrady face off in the competition. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not downing recent competitors Fred Jones, Nate Robinson or Andre Iguodala.
Now I know VC, Kobe and J-Rich have been in it before but not against each other.
Kobe was the first to go between the legs. Carter put his elbow into the rim and Richardson caught the ball off the backboard and took it between his legs.
These guys throw it down big in real games, too. T-Mac is the only player I know who has thrown the ball off the backboard and dunked it in traffic in an actual game.
LeBron James and Baron Davis are two more players who would entertain in the contest.
Both James and Davis had memorable slams in 2007. LeBron’s Cavaliers were playing the San Antonio Spurs when James drove to the basket and dunked all over Tim Duncan.
In the playoffs against the Utah Jazz, Davis dunked over the Jazz’s shot-blocking beast Andrei Kirilienko’s grille. I also remember Davis stuffing it in Jermaine O’Neal’s face one time. My jaw completely dropped when that happened.
Fans will just have to keep wishing to see the well-known guys in the contest.
The winner doesn’t get that much money. However, If those guys love the game and the fans like they say they do then money should not be the problem.
My dream contest would be to up the number of contestants and have Carter, Kobe, Richardson, T-Mac, James and Davis face off.
It doesn’t have to be limited to these six. It can be anybody else you want to add. I just personally feel they would provide a great show.
This year’s contest should be exciting.
Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies, the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard, Jamario Moon from the Toronto Raptors and Gerald Green, the defending champion representing the Minnesota Timberwolves, will put on a good show.
I am in no way doubting their capabilities. It's just not the contest most fans want to see.
The slam dunks will begin sometime after 8 p.m. EST on TNT Saturday evening. Don’t miss out on the young generation of dunkers. Maybe a new face will be added to the list of historic dunkers.
Comments
DERRICK commented, on February 14, 2008 at 10:09 p.m.:
TOTALLY AGREE WITH THIS ARTICLE BRO. A DUNK OFF LIKE THAT WOULD BE AWESOME BUT IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN BESIDES ALL THE GUYS YOU MENTIONED DONT DUNK LIKE DAT ANYMORE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR BODIES MORE. KOBE IS 29, CARTER IS 30, TMAC IS 28, AND J RICH IS ABOUT 26 OR 27 I BELIEVE. I KNOW THEY ALL CAN STILL THROW IT DOWN EASILY BUT THEY DO IT AS OFTEN NOW. KING JAMES PLAYS JUST HOW TMAC AND KOBE AND CARTER ALL PLAYED EARLY IN THEIR CAREER WITH NONSTOP ESPN HIGHLIGHT JAMS, BUT AS HIS CAREER GOES ON HE WILL START TO FIND OUT THAT YOUR BODY CAN ONLY TAKE BUT SO MUCH.
Kevin commented, on February 15, 2008 at midnight:
There is no doubt in my mind that Lebron can throw down some strong dunks but lets be honest thats about all he can do. Winning the slam dunk contest means being creative and taking some serious chances. Lebron has not had many memorable slams besides his tomahawk dunk which is not creative and can be done by nearly every NBA star who has the ability to dunk. It doesn't require as much athletic ability as the 360 or between the legs dunks either. So until I see otherwise I don't believe Lebron would fare well in a slam dunk contest.
bonser commented, on February 15, 2008 at 10:42 p.m.:
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Garry commented, on February 16, 2008 at 3:43 a.m.:
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crazyivan commented, on February 16, 2008 at 8:37 a.m.:
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NBA lover commented, on February 16, 2008 at 8:22 p.m.:
At the Slam Dunk, Dwight is gonna dunk the hell out of it, just judging by what he's been practicing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bIz7sYjp1...
That last dunk is absolutely sick. But I guess we wait another hour and see, huh?
Comebackkid commented, on February 22, 2008 at 10:56 a.m.:
You dead on it Mitchell......great insight
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