Fansided

NBA Slam Dunk contestants announced

By Robby Sabo

Feb 21, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic shooting guard Victor Oladipo (5) high fives a fan as he walks off the court as the Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks 129-121 in double overtime at Amway Center. Oladipo finished with 30 points including a key dunk with 30 seconds to go in overtime. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 21, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic shooting guard Victor Oladipo (5) high fives a fan as he walks off the court as the Orlando Magic beat the New York Knicks 129-121 in double overtime at Amway Center. Oladipo finished with 30 points including a key dunk with 30 seconds to go in overtime. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

Just days after the NHL wrapped up their all-star break festivities, the NBA is now getting theirs going.

Late January and early February is a very strange time for sports fans.

On one hand we have the biggest game of the year in the Super Bowl. It the game is so big that everything but the actual sport itself is discussed. Super Bowl week is the time that everybody becomes a football fan, if only for a few days.

We also have to endure all-star games for three different major professional organizations.

The NFL runs its Pro Bowl a week prior to the Super Bowl; the NHL does their all-star thing at the same time; and the NBA’s all-star festivities come shortly after all of it.

God strike me down now if I was forced to watch all three of those events.

Today the NBA announced its slam dunk contest contestants. Just a little warning, it’s not Michael Jordan-Dominique Wilkins in 1988.

What? Who?

Okay, so Victor Oladipo from the Orlando Magic is a logical choice. He’s a youngster who flies high with tons of energy. It makes all the sense in the world.

Then we have big man Mason Plumlee from the Brooklyn Nets. Although we’ve heard some legend about his athletic ability, it’s still odd to see a big man of his stature in the contest:

Giannis Antetokounmpo from the Milwaukee Bucks might has a ridiculous wingspan of 7-3, and could be the dark-horse of this group:

Last but not least, Minnesota Timberwolves youngster Zach LaVine can get up with the best of them:

Again, the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest is not Jordan-Wilkins of ’88, but sure does have some high-flyers partaking.

While admittedly these all-star festivities get the best of me sometimes, I’ll be very interested to tune into this group.

Remember when Dwight Howard and Nate Robinson were doing their thing several years ago? The contest became almost “WWE-like” with props and other garbage that was brought to the table. Howard was bringing out extra hoops, and Blake Griffin was even jumping over cars.

It was almost like those guys had a script they needed to follow.

Looking at the footage with this foursome, I’m feeling good that these guys will be able to come up with some original stuff without having to resort to the lackluster prop elements.

More from FanSided

Home/NBA