Cancel The Dunk Contest

I was ranting before this dunk contest about how bad it was going to be. How can you get excited about something, when the guys competing don't even get minutes for their own team?

And when they actually do get a decent player here is how much he cares...


Gerald Wallace summed up everything that is wrong with the dunk contest. The only ones who care are shitty players trying to make a name for themselves. Sorry, I don't want to see that, and unless the NBA is going to step in and make the stars (Lebron) dunk, then there is zero reason for me to watch. I don't want to see Gerald Green, or any of these other fucking losers dunk. Until then just don't even bother having it!!!

I don't know if they need to throw around big money for the winner, or just make it part of their NBA contracts, but this has to stop. Women's basketball is better then this.

Lebron Backing Out Of Dunk Contest

"During last year's dunk contest, LeBron James proudly proclaimed he'd be a part of this year's event. But his tune has changed a bit.

"I'm like 50-50 right now," he told the Associated Press last night. "I don't know if you can get it back to the 80s and like in '98 when Vince (Carter) was in it. It was more about the dunks and less about what was going on around the dunks. We'll see what happens. I was excited," he said. "When I said it I was very excited about doing it. I was there at the event and you get caught up in it a little bit."

LeBron is in a rough spot here. If he participates and wins, that's what's expected. But if he participates and loses? Well, then he lets everyone down, and it's another thing people can use against him. Because of this almost lose-lose proposition, LeBron might be better served to watch from the sidelines (ESPN)."

Honestly, I don't care. If Lebron is in it there is no way the NBA will let him lose. He is there golden boy, and they basically fix games around him, so why the fuck do I want to watch that? Here is what I would like to see...

A REAL dunk contest. You want the glory days from the 80's back? Then make it worth something to be in it. Say something like 5 million to the guy who wins it, or just say fuck and it and make them do it. Then you can have a REAL dunk contest with guys like Lebron, Kobe, Durant, Carter, Wade, Gay, Robinson, J.R. Smith, Josh Smith, ect (I know I am missing some, but you get the point).

Random Stuff

-Who doesn't agree with Lebron regarding the Dunk Contest? It sucks and needs to include only superstars who will be limited to two attempts. I watched less than half of it on Saturday night because it was boring and I thought it was a waste of time. The first thing the league needs to do is limit the contest (and all of the skills contests for that matter) to those who have been selected as all-stars.

If you're the NBA, dish out the cash and let us see D-Wade and Lebron battle it out a la Dominique and Jordan.

While we're talking about Lebron, don't underestimate how much his sense of history will have a role in his quest for Jordan's title as The Greatest Ever. After losing game 7 of the Celtics-Cavs series last May he compared the game to Bird and Dominique's shootout in 1988. He didn't whine about the tight loss but chose to appreciate how the game will be perceived down the road. The recent Dunk Contest comments may seem insignificant but he knows Jordan going dunk for dunk with another great only added to his legend. I think it's refreshing for a player to have such a keen knowledge of the history of the game as well as his potential place in it.

-From a Celtics standpoint, the only thing that happened today of any relevance was the Cavs not using Wally Szczerbiak's expiring contract to acquire Antawn Jamison. Had that deal happened, the Cavs might have sealed a trip to the Finals. Whew.

-When Tyson Chandler's trip to Oklahoma City was canceled it made me think of the awkwardness that ensued when Danny Fortson was traded from the Celtics to Toronto in February of 2000 for Alvin Williams and Sean Marks. On his way out he referred to the Celts as a "sinking ship" (which they were) and he went on and on how happy he was to be out of Boston. Then he failed his physical up in Canada. Back to Bean town. Oops. Good thing Chandler kept quiet on his way out.

-Isn't it weird to have things so calm and quiet in Fort Myers? I think Jonathan Papelbon should engage in a chugging contest with David Ortiz to liven things up down in at the City of Palms Park. My bet would be on Paps.

-If you're a Patriots fan, "The Blueprint" by Chris Price is worth a read. He really does a great job at comparing the Moneyball approach to the Pats' salary-cap magic acts.

Nate Robinson Takes Dunk Competition

Nate Robinson took home the Dunk Title over Dwight Howard by literally jumping over Dwight Howard. This dunk competition would have been terrible if not for Nate Robinson and Dwight Howard's personalities. None of the Dunks except for the Robinson over Howard dunk was that impressive. It was also funny to see how the judges judged Rudy Fernandez compared to Dwight Howard. Dwight Howard did a far easier dunk compared to Fernandez and he got a 50 compared to a 43. All in all a majority of these dunks were lame but the personalities of Nate and Dwight saved the show.

To Get You In A Slam Dunk Mood

Vince Carter will always own it to me

Where Have All The Dunkers Gone?

The NBA dunk contest is tonight, but there isn't that same buzz that used to surround the event. Where is the Jordan, Webb, or Wilkins? Instead we have Howard, Green, Gay, and Moon. I don't know about anyone else, but it is hard to get pumped to watch an event where they don't even have the best dunkers. Who are the top dunkers? Who would you pay to watch? Here's a list of 5 players in todays game that I would pay to see.

Vince Carter- When he was in it he may have pulled on the best dunk of all-time.
Kobe Bryant- I hate him, but the guys got ups.
Jason Richardson- Awesome dunker, maybe not the biggest name, but he will light up the event.
LeBron James- I don't think he would win, but he would get the fans so pumped up for the contest.
Kevin Durant- Going to be Rookie of the Year. Kid can jump.

Predicted winner:
It might come as a surprise, but I could see Kevin Durant pulling off an amazing dunk to win it. He has all the tools to be a dunk contest superstar.

-BMack