Blake Griffin seems conflicted.
The 2011 NBA Slam Dunk champion is now so much more than his dunks, having developed into a high-profile, I-do-more-than-rock-rims superstar. With that increase in offensive range has come the need for a new identity. Despite fans clamoring for Griffin and other NBA superstar to partake in the slam dunk competition, they haven’t, and it has been largely mundane and pedestrian for the last two years.
Tides stand to change this year when Paul George, Damian Lillard and John Wall all take part in the event. It’s been awhile since three actual All-Stars all participated in the dunk contest at the same time. That should be enough to generate additional hype and hopefully rekindle lost interest.
No matter what happens, we’ll always have 2011, when Griffin jumped over a sedan in what was somehow one of the most overrated and underrated dunks ever. In a way, it was just what the dunk contest needed—showmanship that incited conversation.
Looking back, it seems so long ago, almost like we should have cherished his decision to dominate the dunk contest, because he’s obviously never going to do it again.
Or maybe not.
Speaking with ESPN’s Marc Kestecher, P.J. Carlesimo and Marc Stein during a conversation that will air on ESPN Radio’s “Meet The All-Stars” show on Sunday, Griffin wouldn’t rule out doing another dunk contest.
“I haven’t retired officially,” he said. “It isn’t something I’ll never, ever do again. But for right now, I try to take my rest when I can. And this year I really wanted that Saturday night rest. So not this year.”
Surprised? You should be. It wasn’t long ago that Griffin indicated he was done with the slam dunk competition. Hell, it wasn’t even a week ago.
From ESPN Los Angeles’ Arash Markazi:
“I wouldn’t say it was a mistake [in 2011] because it was a great experience, but it’s something I would never do again,” said Griffin, who won the dunk contest that year.
“For me, All-Star Weekend is about getting a chance to rest as much as anything. With the All-Star Game alone you still have obligations almost all day Friday and you have some kind of an event Friday night and Saturday’s practice and appearances. Saturday night for me now has become the time where I hang out with my family and hang out with my friends and take it easy.”
Well hot damn, which stance are we supposed to believe? I’m going with the most recent one. Out of deluded hope, we all should. Seeing Griffin do another dunk contest would be spectacular. Maybe he would jump over a hummer this time. Or an airplane. Or the Death Star. The possibilities are endless. More importantly, time is on Griffin’s side.
Already in his fourth season—really, it should be his fifth—Griffin is only 23. It will be awhile before he starts reciting “I’m almost 30” lines that I’m sure LeBron James—who continues to evade the dunk contest—has at the ready. Realistically, Griffin has at least five prime dunking years left, giving him plenty of opportunities to grace the NBA Slam Dunk Contest one more time.
Who knows, if he’s feeling spunky or particularly tired of standing on solid ground, maybe two. Or more.
Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.
