If there was a chance to draft a collection of stars to play in the showcase, here are my possible selections:
Skills Challenge:
Tony Parker
The San Antonio Spurs' floor general has the handles, speed and court vision to challenge for the best time in this event. He won the event last year, and it's difficult not to include him in an event like this.
The San Antonio Spurs' floor general has the handles, speed and court vision to challenge for the best time in this event. He won the event last year, and it's difficult not to include him in an event like this.
John Wall
The third year guard may be given too much credit here, but really, he has the qualities of a guard who can really perform in this competition.
The third year guard may be given too much credit here, but really, he has the qualities of a guard who can really perform in this competition.
Isiah Thomas
In his prime years during the "Bad Boys" era, Thomas was one of the most spectacular guards to watch in Detroit. The skills challenge wasn't played during his time, but if it was, Thomas would surely rank one of the best.
In his prime years during the "Bad Boys" era, Thomas was one of the most spectacular guards to watch in Detroit. The skills challenge wasn't played during his time, but if it was, Thomas would surely rank one of the best.
Steve Nash
The former two-time MVP is also a two-time winner of the event. He's not much of a speed demon, but he's fast enough, and you know he can pass with his eyes closed.
The former two-time MVP is also a two-time winner of the event. He's not much of a speed demon, but he's fast enough, and you know he can pass with his eyes closed.
Dwayne Wade
A natural shooting guard, Wade has the skills to play point when needed. He's the only other two-time winner, and the only back to back champion at this Skills Challenge since its inception in 2003.
Magic Johnson
Magic's size allows him to take long strides that may be a huge factor in cutting his time down. And the man can pass lasers and amazing bounce passes.
A natural shooting guard, Wade has the skills to play point when needed. He's the only other two-time winner, and the only back to back champion at this Skills Challenge since its inception in 2003.
Magic Johnson
Magic's size allows him to take long strides that may be a huge factor in cutting his time down. And the man can pass lasers and amazing bounce passes.
Jason Williams
"White Chocolate" has always dazzled on the floor, with some of his best years played in the pass-oriented Sacramento Kings. His speed and passing accuracy makes him a prime candidate to dominate this competition.
"White Chocolate" has always dazzled on the floor, with some of his best years played in the pass-oriented Sacramento Kings. His speed and passing accuracy makes him a prime candidate to dominate this competition.
*Allen Iverson
Despite being one of the fastest players that ever played in the NBA, his passing is almost suspect, so he might lose time on those passing challenges. Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury can probably make the cut before considering AI.
Despite being one of the fastest players that ever played in the NBA, his passing is almost suspect, so he might lose time on those passing challenges. Steve Francis and Stephon Marbury can probably make the cut before considering AI.
Three Point Shootout
Larry Bird
It can't be a shootout without Larry Legend. The man practically declares his victory even before the competition starts. It ain't bragging unless you can back it up. If there was a season award for the best three point shooter in the league, it should be named the Larry Bird Award.
It can't be a shootout without Larry Legend. The man practically declares his victory even before the competition starts. It ain't bragging unless you can back it up. If there was a season award for the best three point shooter in the league, it should be named the Larry Bird Award.
Craig Hodges
The only other three-time champion of the event, Hodges won the event after Larry Bird and Dale Ellis won the first four (Bird winning the first three).
Ray Allen
One of the best shooters in the NBA, Allen has won the competition in his prime. He's an in-game set shooter, which makes him a dangerous sniper in competition and actual games.
Dirk Nowitzki
In the early part of his career, Dirk mainly played outside. Despite criticism on his "soft" play, he actually revolutionized the PF position to stretch outside. Guys like Ryan Anderson, Channing Frye, and Andrea Bargnani among others, have Dirk to thank for getting the chance to play the way that they play.
In the early part of his career, Dirk mainly played outside. Despite criticism on his "soft" play, he actually revolutionized the PF position to stretch outside. Guys like Ryan Anderson, Channing Frye, and Andrea Bargnani among others, have Dirk to thank for getting the chance to play the way that they play.
Peja Stojakovic
Probably one of the best pure shooters to have played in the NBA, Peja is a two-time champion for the event. How else can he prove to be one of the best shooters than going against the others?
Probably one of the best pure shooters to have played in the NBA, Peja is a two-time champion for the event. How else can he prove to be one of the best shooters than going against the others?
Mark Price
Knockdown shooter for the Cavs, it would be interesting to watch him compete against the best of the best in a competition. The former back to back champion held the record for most points in the final round at 24.
Knockdown shooter for the Cavs, it would be interesting to watch him compete against the best of the best in a competition. The former back to back champion held the record for most points in the final round at 24.
Jason Kapono
Random white guy won the twice, bringing him in the same conversation as Peja, Mark Price, and Jeff Hornacek. He tied Mark Price's record in his first year of winning the title, and broke it by scoring 25 points in the final round in his second year winning the title. But unlike the other three multi-titled champions, Kapono never really made much of an impact with his team during actual games. Maybe he's a player made for these types of contests?
Random white guy won the twice, bringing him in the same conversation as Peja, Mark Price, and Jeff Hornacek. He tied Mark Price's record in his first year of winning the title, and broke it by scoring 25 points in the final round in his second year winning the title. But unlike the other three multi-titled champions, Kapono never really made much of an impact with his team during actual games. Maybe he's a player made for these types of contests?
Jeff Hornacek
Utah's designated shooter during the Jordan era, Hornacek is probably more known for his unique palm-to-the-face ritual before taking his free throws than he is for knocking down three pointers. But he actually won the competiton in the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons against the likes of Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki and Charlie Ward.
Utah's designated shooter during the Jordan era, Hornacek is probably more known for his unique palm-to-the-face ritual before taking his free throws than he is for knocking down three pointers. But he actually won the competiton in the 1999-2000 and 2000-2001 seasons against the likes of Ray Allen, Reggie Miller, Dirk Nowitzki and Charlie Ward.
*Reggie MillerAwesome game shooter, but he might not perform as well in a competition. He makes ridiculous shots to go in especially in crunchtime, and he's probably one of the best shooters in the NBA durin his time. However, a full minute of shooting 20 balls in five different spots on the floor may be too much for a jump shooter like him. Ditto Steve Kerr (who actually won the event in '96).
Slam Dunk
Julius Erving
The innovator has to be in this. He is the player we may have to thank for all the dunks we see today. He's the first to make the free throw line dunk made famous by Jordan.
Micheal Jordan
"His Airness" has to be in the conversation when it comes to dunk offs. His iconic "Jumpman" logo was taken from his graceful version of the free throw line dunk.
"His Airness" has to be in the conversation when it comes to dunk offs. His iconic "Jumpman" logo was taken from his graceful version of the free throw line dunk.
Dominique Wilkins
"The Human Highligt Reel" didn't get his monicker for nothing. He's an amazing in-game dunker, and probably a power dunker in the competition, but he doesn't lack creativity.
"The Human Highligt Reel" didn't get his monicker for nothing. He's an amazing in-game dunker, and probably a power dunker in the competition, but he doesn't lack creativity.
Vince Carter
Vinsanity made jaws drop whenever he joined a dunk contest. The between-the-legs bounce dunk, the elbow-in-the-ring dunk, and the in-game dunk over the 7-foot center are dunks you must watch if you don't believe he's one of the best dunkers ever.
Vinsanity made jaws drop whenever he joined a dunk contest. The between-the-legs bounce dunk, the elbow-in-the-ring dunk, and the in-game dunk over the 7-foot center are dunks you must watch if you don't believe he's one of the best dunkers ever.
Jason Richardson
I think he's one of the more underrated dunkers to have won the competition. I've looked up "best dunkers" and his name never comes up. He's got serious air, and he displayed it when he won the competition in 2000.
I think he's one of the more underrated dunkers to have won the competition. I've looked up "best dunkers" and his name never comes up. He's got serious air, and he displayed it when he won the competition in 2000.
Lebron James
LeBron is putting up ridiculous numbers and he's been in the G.O.A.T. debate since the day he was drafted. However, unlike contemporaries who are in that conversation (MJ, Kobe), he hasn't won or even joined the dunk contest. He teased about it a couple of years back, but he never really put his name out there. Some of his in-game dunks are almost competition-worthy, but we can only wonder helplessly as to why he never really joined the competiton.
LeBron is putting up ridiculous numbers and he's been in the G.O.A.T. debate since the day he was drafted. However, unlike contemporaries who are in that conversation (MJ, Kobe), he hasn't won or even joined the dunk contest. He teased about it a couple of years back, but he never really put his name out there. Some of his in-game dunks are almost competition-worthy, but we can only wonder helplessly as to why he never really joined the competiton.
Nate Robinson
The only three-time winner of the event, Krypto-Nate should warrant consideration in a dunk contest featuring the best. While it can be argued that he battled with so-so opponents, isn't it amazing to watch such a small guy fly up in the air like that?
*JR Smith
This guy has the swag we've been missing in the dunk contest. He's an in-game dunker, but he's got serious air that may just be a key for him in a dunk competition.
This guy has the swag we've been missing in the dunk contest. He's an in-game dunker, but he's got serious air that may just be a key for him in a dunk competition.
*Blake Griffin
Blake is a freak of nature, but I still think he's more of a power dunker who knows how to use props well than a creative competition dunker. His dunks are exciting, no question, but it would probably be better if he won because of how creative his dunk is, and not because he jumped over a car or something. Then again, after all the dunks that we've already seen, just what else can anyone else do? Pre-Lockout 'Nique, Shawn Kemp and Dwight Howard could probably be put in the same competition as Blake in a "Rim-Rattler Challenge" for power dunkers.
Blake is a freak of nature, but I still think he's more of a power dunker who knows how to use props well than a creative competition dunker. His dunks are exciting, no question, but it would probably be better if he won because of how creative his dunk is, and not because he jumped over a car or something. Then again, after all the dunks that we've already seen, just what else can anyone else do? Pre-Lockout 'Nique, Shawn Kemp and Dwight Howard could probably be put in the same competition as Blake in a "Rim-Rattler Challenge" for power dunkers.
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