Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

The sad thing is for McGee, this is the LAST thing he needs to be focusing on as far as his career goes, unless he's content with being a average-below average C who has no post game whatsoever for the rest of his career.

[The 24th Letter]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

I think both guys suprise us.....im intrigued at least. The Nate/ Dwight act has run its course...

[Altimus]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

Griffin obviously will be exciting to watch but everyone else... not ruling Jennings out but Ibaka and McGee? McGee's dunks look great not because of the style but the pure power when he slams it on people. And Ibaka?

How can we have a dunk contest with a center, two power forwards and a point? Zero wing players.

Other than Griffin not much to watch and I'm sure Skiles won't be happy with Jennings being in this.

[Chrisksaint]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

Jennings looks like an interesting choice however coming off an injury i doubt it, but my money is still on Griffin dude has serious hops and athleticism to do something good. I'm sure he'll want to put on a show with it being in LA

[VDusen04]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

The sad thing is for McGee, this is the LAST thing he needs to be focusing on as far as his career goes, unless he's content with being a average-below average C who has no post game whatsoever for the rest of his career.

My belief is that NBA players do not put their real skills on hold during the season in order to work on their dunk contest dunks. Like college and high school players, I believe NBA guys might squeeze in some time in the gym after a practice or during a shootaround here and there. Also there would be a number of coaches on staff that would hopefully redirect him if he tried attempting windmills during free throw time.

Now in terms of whether he's content being an average to below average center who has no post game, I can't really comment on that. I actually believe a very large portion of NBA players are content with that. Not that that's right, but I'm just saying you could be on the dot there. I'm not convinced a dunk contest will really affect that either way.

I'm putting myself out on a limb a little bit and am insisting that Javale McGee will entertain us. I'm not saying he'll win, but we'll be satisfied with what he's got.

I'm going to have to do more research on Brandon Jennings but I'm not sold right now. He might have some good between-the-legs dunks in warmups but I just can't see anything awesome coming from someone who doesn't even really spring enough in games to get our attention. Russell Westbrook would have been a better selection there. Or Terrence Williams. Or Derrick Rose. Or Terrico White.

Also, I can't let this fact slide:

In the year 2000 (VC's year), there were six contestants, three first round dunks, three finalists and two dunks per finalist. That's a total of 24 dunks.

In 2010, there were four contestants, two first round dunks, two finalsts and two dunks per finalist. That's a total of 12 dunks. Exactly half of what we used to get just ten years ago.

In 2000, two dunkers arguably flopped - Larry Hughes and Jerry Stackhouse. That still left the door open for four other dunkers (VC, Steve Francis, Tracy McGrady and Ricky Davis). They all succeeded on various levels.

In 2010, two dunkers arguably flopped (Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown). That left the door open for just two dunkers: Nate Robinson, who many had tired of three years ago, and the relatively impressive DeMar DeRozan. It was deemed the worst dunk contest in NBA history. Why? With such a low number of contestants and low volume of dunks, it's on each and every contestant to pull off a nearly perfect showing to approach the level of previous contests.

The NBA's kind of getting in their own way on this one. Shortening the contest for programming reasons, turning down willing contestants (Joe Alexander, Russell Westbrook two years ago). I'm not dissapointed with the players here. I'm dissapointed with the league.

[Jukeman]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

Don't question Jennings hops! Youtube him. He has plenty.

Yeah I know

I was joking about the hops but you do have to wonder about the ankle injury and besides that, I dont think its very smart to play in a dunk contest after just coming back from a injury...

[eDotd]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

[magicjohnson]THE DUNK CONTEST IS BACK![/magicjohnson]

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw the thread title.

[canes6812]

I think the NBA and MLB should get a deal going where baseball players do the dunk contest and basketball players do the home run contest. I think that will inject a little life into 2 events that have lost their lust 20+ years ago.

[BATMON]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

The entire All-Star Weekend has lost its bite IMO.

The Three Point Contest is the only thing I look out for.

[MattUMD224]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

How is McGee in this thing. Does the NBA even watch him. These are typical dunks by McGee.

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[ParisB]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

I have high hopes for Blake, but in-game dunks don't necessarily translate into the contest.

Nate Robinson barely dunks in real games, but he has been exciting over the years.

Shannon Brown is a sick dunker in games, and had a boat load of dunk highlights, yet he was terribly disappointing in the contest.

[VDusen04]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

How is McGee in this thing. Does the NBA even watch him. These are typical dunks by McGee.

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I know, these two videos are hilarious. There's no denying that. However, these are not typical Javale McGee dunks. I posted a series of links on page three of the kind of dunks he can do. Plus, in all honesty, for a Dunk Contest situation, do we not want the guy who's willing to try to leap from the free-throw line in-game or try to Space Jam himself over an opponent standing 14 feet away from the hoop?

My thought is, if he stays gimmick-free, McGee has a chance to really provide something unique this year. He's long enough to make even his routine jams appear slightly extra terrestrial. I'm not saying all he does is Vince Carter dunks (or anything in Griffin's realm) but he's definitely intriguing. He was one of my hopeful choices for the contest (along with Terrence Williams, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook and Terrico White. . .and obviously Blake Griffin).

More JaVale (in addition to the links on page 3)
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[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

Those dunks he did weren't nothing special either but he'll get bonus points though because of his length.

No more Free Throw Line Dunks this year please, along with basic "Through the Legs in mid air" Dunks as well.

[TracerBullet]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

Those dunks he did weren't nothing special either but he'll get bonus points though because of his length.

No more Free Throw Line Dunks this year please, along with basic "Through the Legs in mid air" Dunks as well.

Maybe we won't see the free throw line dunk, but with McGee this still may happen. Between the legs is pretty much a given at this point lol.

[LingeringRegime]

Re: Blake Griffin headlines 2011 Dunk Contest

No more Free Throw Line Dunks this year please, along with basic "Through the Legs in mid air" Dunks as well.

These are the precise reasons why the Dunk Contest should be taken out behind the woodshed and dealt with. I can guarandamntee there will be some superhero like theatrics. Kenny Smith is going to "Coach" Blake Griffin (This year all the contestants will have coaches) and he said something about Griffin reminding him of the "Incredible Hulk." Then he said that "is all I can say about it right now." With a smile on his face.

So just get ready for some purple shorts, ripped off sleeves, and green skin.