Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Is The NBA Slam Dunk Contest Officially Back?
It seems as though the NBA is trying to revive the All-Star Slam Dunk contest to the prestigious status it once held way back in the 80's (Dominique, MJ, Spud) and just briefly in the 90's (Carter, Kobe, McGrady). However they aren't doing it by fielding star-filled competitors (Gerald Green, Dwight Howard, Tyrus Thomas, and Nate Robinson), but rather having these young, athletic freaks be judged by perhaps the Mount Rushmore of dunkers. The five judges for the contest this year are set to be: Michael Jordan, Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter.
The NBA proved last season that they don't need established NBA stars to bring the fans an exciting event, but simply electrifying dunkers. They seem to have that in this year's four-man field.
However, I think this will be extremely entertaining for viewers, as they get the privilege and rarity to witness five amazing players (who were great dunkers as well) from three different eras converse amongst each other throughout the duration of the contest. I am especially curious to see how Jordan and Bryant interact throughout the evening.
Do you think the addition of these world-class judges to the event will result an extremely entertaining NBA Slam Dunk Contest?
Well if it doesn't work out, at least we get to see Barkley and Bavetta in the race of the century!
14 Comments:
I thought the Dunk Contest was really good last year for a change (Iguodala was robbed!)... as long as Charles and Kenny will be there commentating, it will be entertaining for me.
nate's gonna jump over yao ming this year.
Just so long as they don't hand Nate Robinson a title he didn't deserve like last year.
You lose if you have to make more than five attempts on one dunk.
It should be ok, but it will never be back until the best dunkers finally agree to be a part of it. That, however will never happen. Nate will probably be given the title because he's short again, yet I'll watch it anyway. Can't buck tradition..
The best dunkers absolutely have to participate, but it would be nice to have some of the best PLAYERS in the contest, as well.
I think having the all-star judges is nothing more than window dressing. I don't want to see those guys hold up cards with numbers. Let's see 'em throw it down!
I agree Ian C.
It would be nice if the judges threw it down! But I don't think that is realistic. The only way I could envision amazing talents participating in this thing is if Kobe Bryant or Vince Carter came out and challenged other guys. But you don't see that happening.
I think having these amazing players as judges will be somewhat interesting. But yes, it would be much more satisfying to watch if they were actually dunking.
"I am especially curious to see how Jordan and Bryant interact throughout the evening."
Hopefully it won't involve a Snickers bar.
What a joke this contest has become. Where are the damn stars! MJ and Dominique should feel ashamed and let down.
The biggest problem is that the NBA doesn't force anyone to participate. The NBA's players are to busy counting their millions to take a chance on injury. Considering how bad New Jersey, and Golden State both are why not let Vince and J-Rich compete? Both teams are within playoff berths would be the argument against it. But I think players whose teams are bad should still have to participate.
They should provide some more incentive for them to participate. Maybe a get out of suspension free card.
Since the old days were it was Jordan, Nique, and Web the only truelyawsome dunks like the ones back in the day, came from Vince. Back then, they wanted to participate and win for bragging rights, now the dunk contest has become a joke.
Barkley just won 700,000 in Vegas, and all he is going to pony up for charity if 5,000? Come on Charles, have a heart.
Call me crazy, but I actually really like how it's become the "Rising Stars" competition. These are often guys that may not have any recognition yet, but get it after putting on a show in the Dunk Contest? Be honest, how many people would have cared much about Nate Robinson or Andre Iguodala if they didn't put on a show last year? It gave them stardom and added to the excitment.
I personally get bored when it's the same people every year. I know this has been the tradition, but why continue that just so we can see the same players?
The dunk contest has been great for a while, even after Carter's heroics in 2000. It's just that purists wishing for a return to the glory days aren't noticing. 2006 was probably the best dunk contest in a long, long time, and none of those names were household ones.
I'm going to watch, but mostly because it's in Vegas and anything is possible
Nate Robinson = Spud Webb Jr.
Nate Robinson will dunk naked and the Dunk contest will never be the same.
and I don't think having a studded judging panel adds anything to the dunk contest.
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