NBA All-Star Dunk Contest Participants Revealed; All-Star Players To Join This Year's Edition; Young Guns Ready To Make Waves
The NBA All-Star Dunk Contest is among the most anticipated events in the league's annual basketball festivity. However, some fans are always disappointed because the event doesn't field in big names. Well, for this year's edition, it seems that the NBA doesn't want you to feel sorry anymore as top stars are expected to join in the contest to showcase their amazing dunking skills.
Several sports and reliable sources have revealed that the Sprite Slam Dunk contest will feature 2014 All-Stars Indiana Pacers, Paul George, Washinton Wizards' John Wall, and Portland Trailblazers Damian Lillard . Also in the mix are Golden State Warriors Harrison Barnes, Sacramento Kings Ben McLemore, and defending champion Toronto Raptors Terrence Ross.
The names were dropped by SportsCenter's twitter page citing @ESPNSteinLine & media reports as the source.
This is an exciting line up with returnees and newcomers expected to prove they got mad hops and skills.
George was first hesitant about joining but he confirmed that he will join yesterday, according to Marc J. Spears of Yahoo Sports.
Although he is indeed deserving of the spot, John Wall makes the biggest surprise in the line up as there are no hints that he will join the contest. His intention of participating was only revealed on Wednesday through Yahoo's Spears.
McLemore, who was baptized by Lebron James in a posterizing dunk, is viewed by many as the sleeper of this year's slam dunk competition. Well, he should do his very best as Sacramento Kings doesn't have a representative in the New Orleans All-Star weekend. McLemore wasn't selected for the Rising Stars Challenge and his teammate DeMarcus Cousins was snubbed for the All-Star Game.
Project winners Barnes and Ross are also expected to bring the house down. Barnes has been a regular in NBA top 10s because of his thunderous dunks while 2012-2013 champ Ross has just reminded the world that he is still the champion with a disrespectful dunk on defensive demon Kenneth Faried of the Denver Nuggets.