Rumor has it that Blake Griffin is going to dunk over a car tonight. Personally, I'd like to see him try to dunk Nate Robinson. You know, actually have Griffin pick up Robinson and slam him through the hoop. That I'd be into.
It's been years since I paid attention to the dunk contest. How many times can you watch someone count out their steps, mistime their self bounce pass, and then head back to half court to repeat the process? It's been awful.
This year has the potential to be different.
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How will it differ? Well, this year Blake Griffin is involved, which means I may have to tune in to see the dunk which actually causes the internet to collapse upon itself. Griffin is scheduled to dunk against JaVale McGee, DeMar DeRozan, and Serge Ibaka.
How big of a favorite is Griffin? As of this writing Bodog.com has Griffin listed at -300. DeMar DeRozan is next at +350. Griffin, the NBA's newest superstar, the most powerfully spectacular dunker since Shawn Kemp, dunking at home in LA at the Staples Center? Yeah, -300 sounds about right.
The three point contest features returning champion Paul Pierce. He's up against Celtics teammate Ray Allen, Kevin Durant, Daniel Gibson, James Jones, and Dorell Wright. Craig Hodges wasn't invited?
There's also two events on the undercard. There's something called the Shooting Stars, which apparently involves one NBA player, one WNBA player, and one NBA "legend" in ashooting competition. The NBA "legends" are Steve Smith, SteveKerr, Rick Fox, and Kenny Smith. Perhaps the NBA does not quite grasp the meaning of legend?
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The other event is Skills Challenge. Yeah, I won't be watching that one. Bounce passes through a tire don't do it for me.
Lastly, I am setting the over/under for number of colors in Craig Sager's suit jacket at 127.5.