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NBA All Star Weekend 2018: Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shootout, Dunk Contest participants

By Patrick Schmidt

LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 19: Victor Oladipo #4 of the Indiana Pacers dunks the ball during the game against the Los Angeles Lakers on January 19, 2018 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The NBA has announced all the participants for the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk contest for the All-Star Weekend.

While a lot of the conversation surrounding the NBA All-Star Game has centered around the new format that will abandon the Eastern vs. Western Conference format in favor of Team LeBron vs. Team Curry. And as cool as that is going to be, we can’t forget about the festivities before the game when the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Shootout and the Slam Dunk Contest take place on Saturday night.

Skills Challenge Participants

The Skills Challenge has blossomed into one of the best parts of All-Star Weekend and I’m looking forward to that trend continuing this year. Kristaps Porzingis looks to defend his title from last year against a field that’s loaded with some of the best big men and guards the NBA has to offer.

In addition to Porzingis, Spencer Dinwiddie, Joel Embiid, Al Horford, Lauri Markkanen, Donovan Mitchell, Jamal Murray and Lou Williams will try their best to show off their skills and take home the trophy.

3-Point Shootout Participants

Eric Gordon looks to defend his title against 2016 winner, Klay Thompson and the rest of the field that includes Bradley Beal, Devin Booker, Wayne Ellington, Paul George, Tobias Harris and Kyle Lowry. It would have been more exciting for the casual fan if Stephen Curry and/or Dirk Nowitzki took part in the contest, but it’s still going to be a fun time to see if Thompson or Gordon can add a second title to their trophy case.

Slam Dunk Contest Participants

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The main event may have lost some luster compared to past years but it’s still the top draw outside of the actual game. Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo, Larry Nance Jr. and Dennis Smith Jr. are the fearsome foursome taking part this year. This marks the third time for Gordon who is looking to seal the deal this time around. Oladipo is having a career-year and returns to the contest for the first time in two years. Nance hopes to follow in his pop’s footsteps and bring another title into the family. But don’t sleep on the high-flying Smith who could be the player to beat.

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