Get loose, dunk fans. This year’s Sprite Slam Dunk competition, taking flight Saturday night in New Orleans, promises to be a great one, and we have everything you need to bet it in the preview below.
Paul George and Terrence Ross make their second appearance on New Orleans, while John Wall, Damian Lillard, Ben McLemore, and Harrison Barnes strut their wares for the first time in their young NBA careers.
Not only is George the face of the Pacers, but he is also one of the most ferocious dunkers in the league today. He’s the type of player that sets off “hide the women and the children” alarms whenever he finds himself alone on fast break situations. Plus, he’s more popular now than when he joined this contest in 2012, and having a great rep can do as much for your vote totals as the dunks themselves.
Ross is the event’s defending champion, and brings an impressive repertoire of dunks to bear. What’s more, Ross brings the clout of having just laid down one of the most authoritative dunks of the year on poor Kenneth Faried.
Being small in the slam dunk contest can work wonders. That’s why Spud Webb defeated Dominique Wilkins in the 1986 edition. A guard that can jump out of the building is a big plus in this contest. The lack of height combined with a surplus of vertical is always an explosive combination.
But Wall isn’t all about elevation. While he really can get up, he is also daring and creative. He also brings a ton of power to his crisp finishes, too. Just like in this one, where he treats Greg Monroe like he’s just a another brick in the…you get it.
Of all the participants in the slam dunk contest, Barnes is arguably the most powerful finisher. Many of his highlight dunks are downright violent, and leave poor defenders scampering for their dear lives.
But he won’t have the likes of Nikola Pekovic and Ersan İlyasova to dunk on in the competition. This begs the question: would Barnes impress without the familiar sacrificial lambs he’s known for crushing on?
Sophomore Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard has some serious hops, too. The problem is, if we are going to base our expectations on the compilation below, we’ll probably be seeing a steady stream of boring dunks not suitable for exhibition. He’ll have to be more creative or else, he might turn the freestyle round into a snooze-fest.
Rumor has it that McLemore will attempt to patch things up between Shaq and Kobe. Or at least what’s being reported is seemingly just as possible: McLemore was heard bringing up the idea of executing a 720 in the slam dunk contest. For the record, no one has ever attempted a 720 dunk. Not Michael Jordan. Not Dominique Wilkins. Not even Vince Carter. If McLemore successfully pulls it off, the crown will surely be his.
Who do you think will win the 2014 Sprite Slam Dunk contest? See the latest odds of the participants at Top Bet’s sportsbook.
