With the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend just over a week away, the NBA has announced its six participants for the dunk contest. Â Among those selected are 2014 All-stars Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Portland’s Damian Lillard and the Washignton’s John Wall.
The 2013 champion, Terrance Ross of the Toronto Raptors, will defend his title. The field is rounded out by Sacramento’s rookie Ben McLemore and Golden State’s Harrison Barnes.
The contest has been under scrutiny in recent years, as fans were upset with the lack of star power and creativity. However, it appears that the dunk contest can be saved especially with a strong showing from stars like George, Lillard and Wall.
Long gone are the days when super stars such as Michael Jordan, Dr. J (Julius Erving), Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter participated in the contest. In the late 2000’s, Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard revitalized the contest but things fell off soon thereafter.
In the past two contests, in 2012 and 2013, lesser known names such as Jeremy Evans, Terrance Ross and James White competed in the event and left fans wondering if the NBA should do away with the contest all together. Others called for the league’s biggest stars such as LeBron James to join in.
If the contest lives up the the hype it is already receiving, it will be good for the fans, the NBA and basketball in general.
The NBA dunk contest will be held Saturday February 15 in New Orleans.
