When the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest participants were announced, I laughed and then rubbed my ear lobes and said “Woo-Sah” a couple times like Martin Lawrence in the movie Bad Boys II. I hardly consider a field of Blake Griffin, Serge Ibaka, Javale McGee, and Brandon Jennings who might I remind you is coming off of ankle surgery, a dunk contest. What has Jennings, Ibaka, and McGee shown to the world about dunking? Why not just hand Blake the trophy right now? This is a slap in the face to the NBA fans who will be watching the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities February 18th-20th.
The Slam Dunk Contest used to involve big name players who would force millions to stay glued to their seats and TV remotes. Where is the MJ vs Dominique type matchup? The last good dunk contest I have enjoyed was in 2000 when Vince Carter, Steve Francis, and Tracy McGrady duked it out. Sure, Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard provided us with some great dunks over the past few years but you can’t compare that to the battles of Carter vs Francis, and Jordan vs Wilkins. I know it is now meant for up and coming players to participate in but why not push the envelope for players like LeBron, Kobe, Wade, Amare, etc. to participate. At least throw in Shannon Brown and Russell Westbrook with Blake Griffin. Without the big name players there is no ticket attraction. Last year the NBA All Star Weekends ratings dropped considerably.
In 2002 the NBA changed the amount of participants from six to four. Allowing only two players to advance out of the first round instead of three in the semifinals and then two in the third and final round. I firmly believe that there should be a middle round even with only four participants. Then they changed the number of dunks each player receives from three to only two. This shortened the contest considerably and allowed less players to partake in the event. There is no more fun or entertainment left in the contest and there hasn’t been since VC shook the world with his between the legs dunk. It has been absolute crap the past few years highlighted by the Birdman Chris Andersen missing 15 attempts on a half court dunk in 2005. Don’t get me started on Nate Robinson receiving 30 attempts to jump over someone and then still receiving a good score.
With the field announced, the NBA is basically saying “Ok Blake you do your thing and Serge, Brandon, and Javale just sip Gatorade on the bench and deliver popcorn to fans.” Blake is the only person in this contest that I think people will be wanting to watch. I wonder who the NBA will have in the 3-point contest. How about Sean Marks, Brian Scalabrine, and Samuel Dalembert with Ray Allen?
I am hoping that Jennings can surprise me and that McGee can make me forget about him running over my man James Jones because he thought he was Superman and could dunk from the free throw line. Oh…then there was the time when he tried it again against the Kings. Who does Javale think he is? If Blake ends up losing then I openly welcome all comments from the haters out there.
So, kudos NBA.
Throw it down Mr. Griffin. Throw it down.
Alex Rosencutter is an NCAA basketball player and kinesiology major at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa. Originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, this hoops addict and die hard Miami Heat fan, who is obsessed with old school hoops, has a fever for basketball and the only prescription is more basketball.
