Sprite Slam Dunk Contest Delivers

There have been times throughout the last few years where the dunk contest left a lot to be desired.

This wasn’t one of those years.

Even with the excessive hype that came with Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin’s participation, the dunk contest did not disappoint.

Surprisingly, though, it wasn’t because Griffin put on a performance for the ages like many were expecting.

This year’s dunk contest was one of the best in recent memory due to the overall quality. Toronto Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan, Oklahoma City Thunder big man Serge Ibaka and JaVale McGee of the Washington Wizards all proved that they were more than worthy of going head-to-head with the NBA’s leading dunker.

DeRozan started things off with an impressive between-the-legs dunk from a pass off of the back of the backboard.

Then came the contest’s first moment of controversy. Ibaka performed quite possibly the most impressive version of Dr. J’s free-throw-line dunk by taking off from right behind the free throw line. Dr. J’s entire foot was across the line when he first did it and even Michael Jordan took off from closer than Ibaka did, yet he only received a 45.

McGee followed that up with what has to be one of the top five dunks ever as he brought in another basket to put alongside the main goal, dunking on them both at the same time. The first dunk was off of a self-thrown alley, making the ridiculous slam even more impressive.

Griffin’s much-anticipated debut got off to a solid start as he led off with a slick 360 jam that was a precursor for what was to come.

DeRozan’s one-handed reverse off of an alley to follow was nice, as was Ibaka’s toy-biting slam – but they would only be spectators afterwards.

McGee punched his ticket to the finals by dunking three balls in one leap, although the replay did show him hanging onto a rim a bit as he threw in the third one. Griffin proceeded to set up the showdown with a windmill from a pass off of the side of the backboard that would be ranked lower than most of his in-game dunks from this season – but you knew he’d be in the finals.

In the finals Griffin led off by taking a page out of Vince Carter’s book, throwing it off the backboard to himself as he dunked and hung from the rim by his elbow. Then McGee came with a reverse windmill with his body going away from the basket as he ducked his head under the backboard.

In his final dunk, Griffin brought out all the stops. A Kia was rolled out onto the court in front of the rim and Griffin’s teammate Baron Davis popped up through the sun roof to throw an alley to him with a church choir singing I Believe I Can Fly. Griffin flew indeed, skying over the hood of the car to steal away the show.

Charles Barkley was critical about the difficulty of the dunk and has a point. Had Griffin jumped over the top or trunk it would have been much more intriguing, but we’re talking about the face of the Clippers’ franchise here. He can only take so many risks. Going over the hood was dangerous enough.

At that point McGee could have dunked ten balls and it wouldn’t have mattered. He wrapped things up with a solid jam off the backboard, but the contest was won by Griffin as most expected. Griffin received 68% of the fan’s votes and fittingly dedicated his victory to his best friend who passed away from cancer last week.

Stephen Curry Takes Taco Bell Skills Challenge

The competition was stiff in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. Picking a favorite between New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul, Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls, Washington Wizards guard John Wall and OKC’s Russell Westbrook was nearly impossible.

{AUTHOR_BOX}In the first round everyone took more than 30 seconds, but it was Curry (34.1) and Westbrook (30.0) advancing to the finals over Rose (35.7), Wall (39.3) and Paul (42.7).

Based on round one Westbrook had to like his chances, but Curry went out and topped his first-round time with a 28.2. Westbrook wasn’t able to come anywhere near that as he tripped up on the bounce pass obstacle, finishing with a 44.2.

Utah Jazz guard Deron Williams was able to watch comfortably as nobody came within two seconds of his course-record time of 25.5.

James Jones Pulls Off The Upset; Wins Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout

Miami HEAT forward James Jones wasn’t the biggest name in the Foot Locker Three-point Shootout, but he was the best shooter of the night.

Jones became the fourth member of the HEAT to win the contest, joining Jason Kapono, Glen Rice and Daequan Cook.

Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen was the favorite going into the competition and looked every bit like it in the first round as he scored 20 points. He had the top score along with Jones (15) and teammate Paul Pierce (12). He may have shot himself out, though, as he only scored 15 in the finale – good for third.

Pierce had 18, just two shy of Jones’ contest-winning 20.

Team Atlanta Takes Shooting Stars

In the first event of the night, Al Horford led Team Atlanta to the Haier Shooting Stars title by hitting the halfcourt shot in the preliminary and final rounds.

Atlanta was joined by Team Texas in the finals.

Make sure to check back with HOOPSWORLD tomorrow for in-depth coverage of the final day of All-Star 2011!