Fansided

5 things we need to see on NBA All-Star Saturday Night

By Cody Williams

Jan 20, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) reacts after a basket during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 20, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Nick Young (0) reacts after a basket during the second quarter against the Indiana Pacers at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 15, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Derrick Jones Jr. greets fans following the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 137-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 15, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Suns forward Derrick Jones Jr. greets fans following the game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Talking Stick Resort Arena. The Suns defeated the Lakers 137-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Derrick Jones upsetting Aaron Gordon in Slam Dunk Contest

As much as everyone should be looking forward to the antics of Nick Young in the 3-Point Contest,  no one is going to mistake any other competition as the main event for NBA All-Star Saturday Night. The Slam Dunk Contest is the main attraction and has been for some time. However, there is a growing concern that the 2017 installment of the contest won’t live up to 2016’s and that it could ultimately wind up being relatively boring.

That’s why Phoenix Suns rookie forward Derrick Jones Jr. needs to rise up — pun intended — to the occasion and put forth a star-making performance in the contest.

With Zach LaVine sidelined due to injury, the epic second chapter of his dunking duel with Aaron Gordon won’t take place. Though all four guys competing are talented and able to do some incredible things in the air, the fact that the rematch is not longer in play makes you wonder if this Slam Dunk Contest could be a runaway. Jones eliminates that possibility.

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You’re not alone if you’re unfamiliar with the 6-foot-7, 190-pound forward out of UNLV. He’s played in only seven games in his rookie season at a clip of just 3.4 minutes per game. However, the young man can absolutely fly, so much so that his dunking ability made him a YouTube sensation. Even then, though, no one knows fully what to expect from Jones on the big stage. With the need for drama and competition following LaVine’s exit from the contest, Jones could provide that. In the process, he also has the prowess to both win the contest and make a name for himself as well.

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