The Slam Dunk thread.

[iG®]

Lets discuss about incoming Slam dunk contest, participants, dunks...

I've read somewhere that Lebron refused, again, to take place in it. Also, Nate should be there right?

[cyanide]

Yeah, LeBron said he declined, but I wish he gave a reason why he declined.

It'd be cool to see Nate Robinson there, but as far as I know, the lineup will be announced sometime on Thursday.

[volsey]

who else do you guys think will be there?

[BIG GREEN]

I love lebron as a player...but he buckles under pressure. It seems he lacks confidence in all but the things that come easily for him. This is the reason why he isn't clutch..and also why he keeps refusing the dunk contest. Think about it, how many times have we seen him do anything other but a one handed power slam during a game?..he can prolly do more but he's afraid he fucks up.

[Fenix]

You're probably right. But didn't he throw down a sick windmill couple of weeks ago?

[Its_asdf]

Yeah, I agree with Yohance. LeBron lacks creativity that some of the better dunkers have. Vince and Jason Richardson are a few people who probably don't have the leaping ability or power of LeBron James, but they're way more creative and their dunks are way more fun to watch. LeBron's best dunk is probably a reverse windmill, but thats one of the few dunks in his arsenal that are flashy.

Also, LeBron has enough hype to deal with already. Adding pressure to win the Slam Dunk Contest to "follow" in the steps of MJ is definitely not a good thing for someone his age.

[Mazzocchi]

LeBron would probally win because of 100% Hype annyway

[hipn]

Lebron isnt creative when it coems to dunking, its always those dunks where he like leans back a bit and stuff. Nate... I don't know. Josh Smith is coming back for sure because he wants to be the Champion again, so I read somewhere. I really want Andre Iguodala to participate, also maybe Williams (on the Hawks) and I dont know anybody else.

I am ashamed of Lebron, I mean this is the last year he can be in the dunk comp. and he is refusing, this should be one of those 'once in a lifetime' things.

[Mazzocchi]

I am ashamed of Lebron, I mean this is the last year he can be in the dunk comp.

It is? O.o

why

[Num33Baller]

I mean this is the last year he can be in the dunk comp.

huh?

[Fenix]

I think there's a rule that only players with 3 years (or less) in the NBA can participate in the dunk contest.

[BOSS]

Iguodala, Robinson Warrick join slam-dunk field

NEW YORK -- Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith could become the third player to win consecutive NBA slam dunk contests when he participates in the event during All-Star weekend.

Michael Jordan won back-to-back competitions in 1987-88 and Jason Richardson did it in 2002-03.

Joining Smith in contest this year will be Andre Iguodala of the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks 5-foot-9 guard Nate Robinson and Hakim Warrick of the Memphis Grizzlies.

Judges for the event, scheduled for Feb. 18 in Houston, all have ties to the Houston Rockets. Clyde Drexler, Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes and Kenny Smith were all stars for the team and former coach Rudy Tomjanovich led the Rockets to two NBA titles.

The winner will receive $35,000, the runner-up gets $22,500 and the third and fourth finishers get $16,125 each.

[volsey]

good find itll be fun to watch Iguodala, back to the lebron thing,i still dont no why people say his dunks suk, theyre not as flashy usualy as j rich or vincanitys, but i think theyre still amazing... like his reverse windmill he just did to charrlotte like yesterday or the day before.. gave me goosebumps... and i no he does that jackhammer thing alot(i heard some announcer call it that ), the one where sticks his arm all the way out to the side, i still love that dunk thoe, he was to duck his head or he'll hit the rim, hes always so elevated just fun to watch... but ya i definately agree with yohance, the whole confidence thing, but does anyone know if that 3 year rule for the dunk comp is true???? cuz i really wanna see him in the comp eventually

[cklitsie]

The three year rule isn't true. They used to have it like that (I think), but scrapped it because everyone though it sucked. They're trying to stick to the younger players though, to justify the Sprite Rising Stars name.
Examples of no such rule are Ricky Davis in 2004 and Chris Andersen in 2005 (no jokes about weed or the contest please).

Hakim Warrick should be wicked to see, he can jump so frigging high even out of stance. I remember this huge dunk last year at Syracuse when he jump out of the building and threw it down on a guy TOO hard.
Josh Smith is just there to defend, I'm curious to see if he can bring something new.
Iguodala should be nice, he's my pick to win it. I figure he's going to bring some creativity, maybe AI for a nice pass.
Nate Robinson is going to be a choker, he can't do anything really fancy as far as I know, people just like to see the little guy get up.

[iG®]

The winner will receive $35,000, the runner-up gets $22,500 and the third and fourth finishers get $16,125 each.

Yea, I think they're going after this. Definately.

[hipn]

Lebron doesnt do a lot of different dunks, its only that 'lean back' dunk he always does (his signature dunk). And he sometimes does reverse dunks, reverse windmils, reverse two-handed windmills, but thats all he does, and doing those dunks in the DUNK COMPETION will gurantee you a 3rd or 4th place. Ofcourse, unless he does those dunsk from FAAAARRRRR. I really wanted to see LEbron im the competition and maybe do like 360 windmill of glass (LMAO, might not be pissible).

I think I saw nate in a dunk comp before (not sure if it was him or not), but personally, I don't think Nate is that great at dunking. I havnt' seen Hakim Warrick dunk or play so I can't say anything. Iguadala will rpbably be 1st or 2nd in dunk contest because he has mad skills when it comes to dunking.

[j.23]

lebron is an overrated dunker (in terms of the slam dunk competition). did you see his dunks in his high school contest a couple years back? nothing impressive really. iguodala and josh smith would shit on him in the dunk contest.

[hipn]

Lebron has hops, but doesn't know how to use 'em.

[Blasphemy]

I want Igoudala to win, but would be fun to watch Nate the Great win. The Next Spud Webb!

[Buckley]

Iggy will pwn the dunk contest competition.

should be better then last years where some guy named BIRDMAN got 20 tries to complete dunks.

[Yougi]

The three year rule isn't true. They used to have it like that (I think), but scrapped it because everyone though it sucked. They're trying to stick to the younger players though, to justify the Sprite Rising Stars name.
Examples of no such rule are Ricky Davis in 2004 and Chris Andersen in 2005 (no jokes about weed or the contest please).

Hakim Warrick should be wicked to see, he can jump so frigging high even out of stance. I remember this huge dunk last year at Syracuse when he jump out of the building and threw it down on a guy TOO hard.
Josh Smith is just there to defend, I'm curious to see if he can bring something new.
Iguodala should be nice, he's my pick to win it. I figure he's going to bring some creativity, maybe AI for a nice pass.
Nate Robinson is going to be a choker, he can't do anything really fancy as far as I know, people just like to see the little guy get up.

Exact for the 3 years rule.

I think you're right on everyone (AI2 is also my pick), except for Nate. Nate, being 5'9, only has to do a 360 for the dunk to look completely amazing. Plus, being smaller, he has more time in the air to do moves. Let's hope he gets a 540. Would be amazing!

[Andrew]

Unfortunately I don't think we'll ever see the likes of LeBron and co. in the dunk contest again, even if we wanted to. Most stars these days seem to feel those events are beneath them and avoid the dunk contest lest they be labelled as "just a dunker" (sure, that's all people remember Michael Jordan for ). The whole weekend seems like a chore for today's players. Back in the day, you got the impression it was exciting for players, even when they'd been part of the event for five years. These days everyone gives the same interview, almost in a monotone ("I'm just out here...having fun...it's all about the fans...").

Sounds like a good field this year, a shame they're still only going with a short four man contest.

[hipn]

The All-Star Weekend is supposed to let players just have fun playing the game, and compete with the best, and ofcourse who can forget,...showing off your talent and skill.

[Abctest123]

lebron is an overrated dunker (in terms of the slam dunk competition). did you see his dunks in his high school contest a couple years back? nothing impressive really. iguodala and josh smith would shit on him in the dunk contest.

true, one of his dunks in that highschool one was just a off the backboard slam, exactly like what vince and t-mac did in the allstar game.

[Andrew]

The All-Star Weekend is supposed to let players just have fun playing the game, and compete with the best, and ofcourse who can forget,...showing off your talent and skill.

Exactly. I mean, in all fairness the NBA is a job and like any job there's going to be moments where it feels like a chore and it isn't all fun and games, but the stars of yesteryear seemed to have more pride in the event; it had more meaning. It seems like today's players view it as routine.