The NBA All-Star festivities ended last night with the All-Star game. The West beat the East 163-158. The Three-Point Competition and Slam-Dunk Contest took place on Saturday. Some people were looking forward to the Three-Point Contest more than the Slam-Dunk Challenge.
The Three-Point Contest had more star power. The participants were Marco Belinelli, Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews, J.J. Redick, and Klay Thompson. Stephen Curry held off his teammate Klay Thompson to win it.
The players in the Dunk Contest were Zach LaVine, Victor Oladipo, Mason Plumlee, and Giannis Antetokounmpo. These are first or second year players. They are not superstars. Zach LaVine beat Victor Oladipo to take the title.
The biggest problem with the Slam-Dunk is that the superstars don’t contribute anymore. In the past all the big name players in the NBA would be in it. Participants included Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, Shawn Kemp, Allan Houston, Scottie Pippen, Dominique Wilkins, Spud Webb, Michael Jordan, Julius Irving, and Clyde Drexler. All were notable players in the NBA. The only player who has been close to superstar status lately was when Blake Griffin won it in 2011. Superstars have large contracts. Owners don’t want to have them hurt. These athletes are scared to harm themselves just for an exhibition for the fans’ entertainment.
It’s time for a change. They need big name players in the Slam-Dunk Contest. These could include Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James. Not only could you have a couple of first and second year players but big name players as well. It would make it more appealing and continue the high television ratings. It would be thrilling to see Carmelo Anthony and Lebron James go head to head to see who could throw down the better dunk.
James said a few years ago he would do it. Why hasn’t he been part of it? Fans would love to see what kind of creative dunk he could come up with. Hopefully, the NBA will provide a contest with superstars. We will have to wait and see if this changes anytime soon.
How can the NBA make the Slam-Dunk contest better?
It sounds like the owners are being overly protective of their stars. It seems that the cmissioner should rule on this for the good of the sport