Allen Moll is an avid NBA and College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen is a regular columnist for thehoopdoctors.com, Bleacherreport.com, UpperDeckblog.com, and his own site, Hoops Haven.
Leave it to Shaquille O’Neal to come up with a way to both, help victims of the earthquake ravaged Haiti and make the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest mean something again.
In a proposal that actually makes sense, O’Neal is calling on many of his superstar friends to form a new dunk contest roster of legendary proportions, featuring former event winners Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, and Dwight Howard, along with Dwyane Wade and Lebron James, who recently went back on his word on competing in this season’s event.
Wow!.………..let me catch my breath. I guarantee that would be the most watched dunk contest in history.
What would entice these former dunk champions to once again compete in arguably the most anticipated event on All-Star Weekend? Doing something for a good cause and of course,……………………..lots of money.
As for the details, Shaq proposes somehow coming up with a prize fund, either from large corporate sponsors or donations, with half going to the event’s winner and the other portion to help in Haiti.
On such short notice, a huge event would be hard to organize and many of the stars whose names were mentioned, have already donated large amounts of their personal money to the cause.
Vince Carter, who some argue had the best performance of any competitor in history in winning the event back in 2000, has been side-lined this season with shoulder injuries and has already declined to participate. Vince didn’t hesitate to volunteer his Orlando Magic teammate, Dwight Howard, who has been known to transform into Superman and dunk on a 12 foot rim in the event in past years.
Kobe recently not only turned down O’Neal’s idea but laughed at the thought of 2 “old guys” in Carter and himself again competing in the event he won as a rookie and has reportedly been giving some tips to teammate Shannon Brown, who is already in the official roster of this year’s competitors.
Some players have shown support for Shaq’s big event, most noticeably former teammate Dwyane Wade, who has already reportedly donated a game check, worth approximately $175,000 towards relief efforts.
Two time winner Nate Robinson, who is already on the slate for this year’s event and is attempting to be the first 3 time winner is in support of the proposal has volunteered to compete as well.
Lebron James, who on camera at last year’s event, put himself into this year’s contest but backed out, has not made any comments regarding O’Neal’s proposal. It has been speculated that Lebron has not followed in the footsteps of some of the former best players in the game like Jordan and Kobe, in competing in the dunk contest, because of lack of competition.
Well Lebron, here’s your chance. He won’t find any better competition than some former winners. James might even be the favorite considering the ages of Carter, Kobe, and Wade.
Even if it wouldn’t be for the “official” dunk contest, couldn’t these athletes, who are all tremendous showmen and very wealthy put on an exhibition consisting of 1 or 2 of their most famous dunks for charity or even on pay-per-view, with the majority of proceeds going to the aid of Haiti?
