OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION

**jmood88** · 02-14-2014, 10:18 AM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

I got tickets to the pre-game concert so I'll be the only bored-looking non-white guy when the camera pans over the crowd.

**jeebs9** · 02-14-2014, 10:45 AM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

I just read this beautiful article about how Vince Carter brought back the dunk contest after it got boring.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ImAMVqA6mug" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Hopefully we get some thing close to that.

**VDusen04** · 02-14-2014, 11:06 AM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Originally posted by jeebs9

I just read this beautiful article about how Vince Carter brought back the dunk contest after it got boring.

I've been a lifelong fan of the dunk. That 2000 contest still resonates strongly in my mind. I was a sophomore in high school and had my Snowcoming Dance that evening (like homecoming, but for basketball/winter season). I honestly considered staying home to watch the contest, but I was into taping every contest back then so I knew I'd be able to watch when I got back.

I was hyped about Carter. I was envisioning him doing a really stylistic reverse dunk (like his one against Indiana his rookie year), or doing a neat standard 360... and I thought that'd be good enough for him to win it. I thought those dunks would look great. But when I was sitting in the living past midnight watching my tape, and that first dunk happened... I believe I literally fell out of my chair. I typically do not react very externally to stimulus, but I remember leaving my seat and moving closer to the TV on the carpeted floor, mind absolutely blown. I was mega hyped for Carter's dunk contest appearance, but I had zero idea he'd invent and complete a dunk I never even fathomed in my wildest dreams.

My other big memory from that night was Carter's first final round dunk. I watched him approach the rim in pretty standard form, and I saw him rise for what looked to be a regular one-handed dunk. A thousand thoughts went through my mind in that split second between his approach and finish. I thought he'd run out of dunks. I thought he was throwing the competition. I was absolutely just as confused as the crowd in Oakland. I saw him dangling from his elbow and it didn't add up. Then when I was finally able to compute, there were just no words.

It was just a dunk contest, yes, but even so, it's one of the most exciting moments of basketball I've ever been able to witness live in my life. I'm honestly a little bummed for those who were not able to live it firsthand back then, because once the contest became known, and Carter's dunks became replicable, a lot of the magic was lost. Being at ground zero for their initial reveal though? Priceless.

Also, the first minute of the video below is NBA stars chiming in before the contest about who they thought might win. The hype was strong with VC, and he eclipsed it by miles.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7YbQ2uHQiUs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

**Majingir** · 02-14-2014, 11:47 AM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Celeb Game: Whatever team has Kevin Hart will win(and he will be 3 time MVP)

Rising Stars: Team Hill will win

Shooting Stars: I'm saying Team Curry or Team Hardaway wins

Skills Challenge: Unsure of the new format, but if it's team win, then the Burke/Lillard team will win

3pt Contest: Curry wins

Dunk Contest: East wins(fans will vote for George as winner)

All Star Game: West wins

**ojandpizza** · 02-14-2014, 12:12 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Originally posted by VDusen04

I've been a lifelong fan of the dunk. That 2000 contest still resonates strongly in my mind. I was a sophomore in high school and had my Snowcoming Dance that evening (like homecoming, but for basketball/winter season). I honestly considered staying home to watch the contest, but I was into taping every contest back then so I knew I'd be able to watch when I got back.

I was hyped about Carter. I was envisioning him doing a really stylistic reverse dunk (like his one against Indiana his rookie year), or doing a neat standard 360... and I thought that'd be good enough for him to win it. I thought those dunks would look great. But when I was sitting in the living past midnight watching my tape, and that first dunk happened... I believe I literally fell out of my chair. I typically do not react very externally to stimulus, but I remember leaving my seat and moving closer to the TV on the carpeted floor, mind absolutely blown. I was mega hyped for Carter's dunk contest appearance, but I had zero idea he'd invent and complete a dunk I never even fathomed in my wildest dreams.

My other big memory from that night was Carter's first final round dunk. I watched him approach the rim in pretty standard form, and I saw him rise for what looked to be a regular one-handed dunk. A thousand thoughts went through my mind in that split second between his approach and finish. I thought he'd run out of dunks. I thought he was throwing the competition. I was absolutely just as confused as the crowd in Oakland. I saw him dangling from his elbow and it didn't add up. Then when I was finally able to compute, there were just no words.

It was just a dunk contest, yes, but even so, it's one of the most exciting moments of basketball I've ever been able to witness live in my life. I'm honestly a little bummed for those who were not able to live it firsthand back then, because once the contest became known, and Carter's dunks became replicable, a lot of the magic was lost. Being at ground zero for their initial reveal though? Priceless.

Also, the first minute of the video below is NBA stars chiming in before the contest about who they thought might win. The hype was strong with VC, and he eclipsed it by miles.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/7YbQ2uHQiUs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

My jaw didn't leave the floor until the next morning lol.. His dunks, both in the contest and in games, were just insane.

23 · 02-14-2014, 01:28 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Honestly watching some of the contests yesterday, I saw some pretty cool stuff.

I think the rules changes coupled with Kenny and crew dragging the dunks down and the judges just being overly critical.

Hakeem Warrick did a very nice statue of liberty reverse and got a 44. Man I've seen worse they gave guys better scores for after missing a ton of dunks and crap.

**VDusen04** · 02-14-2014, 01:35 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Originally posted by 23

Honestly watching some of the contests yesterday, I saw some pretty cool stuff.

I think the rules changes coupled with Kenny and crew dragging the dunks down and the judges just being overly critical.

Hakeem Warrick did a very nice statue of liberty reverse and got a 44. Man I've seen worse they gave guys better scores for after missing a ton of dunks and crap.

I think Hakim was lacking on the showmanship aspect of things and I believe that probably cost him a few points. He was quiet, smooth, basic, had very little interaction with the rim, and lacked a little bit in terms of authority. I think DeMar DeRozan had a similar issue on some of his dunks. Super clean can be a great thing when dunking, but it's not always a great thing.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/5TuLX-WzB1g" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

By comparison, someone like Harold Miner didn't exactly revolutionize the dunk contest - a lot of his dunks were technically completed before - but the manner with which he performed them (power, grittiness, authority, and with attitude) resonated with fans and judges alike.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xolEl3uhEoQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I've seen a lot of contestants overlook the showmanship aspect of things over the years. It's not just what dunks you perform, but how one performs them.

23 · 02-14-2014, 02:50 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

If that's the case then the contest is dead because that's a bunch of bull

Galaxy Note 2

**VDusen04** · 02-14-2014, 02:54 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Originally posted by 23

If that's the case then the contest is dead because that's a bunch of bull.

If what is the case?

**lilteapot** · 02-14-2014, 03:13 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

it still irks me to this day how nate robinson won so many times while constantly having to get his dunks on in like 15 tries.

**JazzMan** · 02-14-2014, 03:19 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

I'm glad that Millsap is in the All-Star game. Dude deserves it.

Why is Roy Hibbert a reserve for the West?

**Majingir** · 02-14-2014, 03:27 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Originally posted by lilteapot

it still irks me to this day how nate robinson won so many times while constantly having to get his dunks on in like 15 tries.

Judges in dunk contest are hypocrites. They give a guy an 8 or 9 when it should be a 10 because "He missed it a few times,if he hit it on the first attempt,he'd get a 10". Yet other guys miss their dunks a number of times and judges give them a 9 or 10. They even state so much "No penalties for a miss" every single round of the dunk contest when explaining the rules,yet judges still do that! Another unfair factor is the hype into a dunk. Judges seem to give a guy an extra point or two if the presentation is huge and/or the fans are into the player. So it's unfair for the lesser known guys cause nobody will cheer them,but the fans will cheer the guys they know,even if a dunk isn't as good.

2011 was most rigged in NBA history for sure. I already mentioned how unfair it was for DeRozan(as he did between the legs off a lob from the side of the backboard) while Blake got a better score doing the same thing,except it wasn't between the legs(and it took Blake more attempts too).

And the final round,the commentator even said that if McGee hit that dunk, he'd have won, but the thing was.....HE DID hit that dunk! The ref for some stupid reason made him redo it even though he clearly hit the dunk on his first attempt(and was forced to do a less impressive dunk afterwards)

2011 and 2012 dunk contests were great, but the rigging in 2011 and commentators burying the contest in 2012 is what ruined it. 2012 was a good contest with underrated dunks(the blindfold one and the glow in the dark dunks were both awesome, and George jumping over 2 guys!) but like I said,commentators buried the dunk because it wasn't a big name guy like Blake or Dwight or Lebron or someone like that they wanted in it.

**VDusen04** · 02-14-2014, 03:54 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Originally posted by Majingir

Another unfair factor is the hype into a dunk. Judges seem to give a guy an extra point or two if the presentation is huge and/or the fans are into the player. So it's unfair for the lesser known guys cause nobody will cheer them,but the fans will cheer the guys they know,even if a dunk isn't as good.

I believe legitimate showmanship surely has a place in the dunk contest. By legitimate, I most certainly do not mean Dwight Howard opening up a chest full of props. And I most definitely don't mean bringing Kevin Hart onto the floor to pretend to be a mailman.

Instead, I'm referring to a player's natural flair or swagger. Dunks are pieces of art, in my opinion, not robotic executions, so I think judges and fans are rightful in being influenced by how dunks are being performed.

Example:

Here's Tim Perry making dunks. Here's Tim Perry sauntering about as if he has zero cares in the world. Here's Tim Perry providing no life or energy to his jams.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/lviYlkt7Ojw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

On the flip side, bring some energy to the table, go hard, throw in some flair, and one is bound to see some different results:

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/bvyttJXWLaw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

There's a lot of ways to create hype amongst fans & judges. Being a star helps a lot, but often only if the star follows through and brings something legit to the table. Otherwise, lesser names or no-names have been creating their own hype for years, simply off of the manner with which they dunk (Spud Webb, Kenny Walker, Dee Brown, Harold Miner, Isaiah Rider, Brent Barry, Desmond Mason, Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson). We know these names off the back of our hands largely because of the hype they incited in the NBA Dunk Contest.

2011 was most rigged in NBA history for sure. I already mentioned how unfair it was for DeRozan(as he did between the legs off a lob from the side of the backboard) while Blake got a better score doing the same thing,except it wasn't between the legs(and it took Blake more attempts too).

And the final round,the commentator even said that if McGee hit that dunk, he'd have won, but the thing was.....HE DID hit that dunk! The ref for some stupid reason made him redo it even though he clearly hit the dunk on his first attempt(and was forced to do a less impressive dunk afterwards)

As mentioned in the other thread, I agree DeRozan deserved a better score than Griffin on the between-the-legs vs. windmill dunk. Unfortunately, those variances in scores have always existed, since scoring is based off feel more than upon a sliding scale of impressiveness. For example, in 2000 Steve Francis received a 50 on a dunk moments after judge Kenny Smith said someone would have to eclipse Carter's first dunk in order to get another 50. No doubt it's a bummer, but it's not unprecedented and I certainly don't believe it means the contest was rigged.

Regarding your second paragraph about JaVale McGee, I very, very much disagree. McGee did nothing in the final round to earn himself a slam dunk championship. His first dunk was an imitation of a jam first completed 27 years earlier (Larry Nance's reverse). In my opinion, it paled in comparison to Blake Griffin's unique off-the-backboard elbow hang off one foot.

As for McGee's second final attempt, you make reference to his first make. It was a rub-in, if we even want to call it that. He got briefly hung on the rim during a 360 and the ball dropped lifelessly through the hoop (seen at 8:55 in the clip below). There's a zero percent chance that should have been taken as a winning dunk. And as alluded before, his second attempt (which he was lucky to receive, as the judges could have been jerks and counted his terrible first finish) was just a routine one-hander off the glass. Griffin gets crap for his Kia dunk, but McGee brought nothing to the table in the finals to compete, even against Griffin's beatable round.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_mmG7m_3TLc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

2011 and 2012 dunk contests were great, but the rigging in 2011 and commentators burying the contest in 2012 is what ruined it. 2012 was a good contest with underrated dunks(the blindfold one and the glow in the dark dunks were both awesome, and George jumping over 2 guys!) but like I said,commentators buried the dunk because it wasn't a big name guy like Blake or Dwight or Lebron or someone like that they wanted in it.

As you can likely conclude, I do not think the 2011 contest was rigged. Further, I believe what held 2012 back is the contest was made to be about anything but the dunk. It's a little tough to enjoy the dunk show when skits and appearances by Kevin Hart, P. Diddy, blindfolds, crowds counting in unison, motorcycles, dunking in darkness, and Nick Cannon are all involved. I felt embarrassed to watch that one. I don't think it had anything to do with the names of the dunkers.

**Majingir** · 02-14-2014, 04:25 PM

Re: ***OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION***

Free throw line dunks are also unfairly judged. Everyone knows Dr.J didn't actually jump behind the line, but other guys have jumped from further than Dr.J and gotten like 9s and stuff on the scores(Ibaka in 2011 for example,he actually did jump behind the line and got a 45)

I hope if East does lose(and/or Ross doesn't win dunker of the night) that whoever does win, at least has great dunks.

Someone needs to just do dunks from the video games! Armpit in the rim! Or a 360 dunk with elbow in the rim. I wonder if anyone in the NBA(not someone in streetball or college on those youtube videos) will/can ever do a 720 or double between the legs. 360 behind the back dunk is another one that I loved doing in the video games.

OFFICIAL 2014 NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND DISCUSSION

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