2012 NBA All-Star Weekend – Slam Dunk Contest Preview & Pick – Dunk Contest Lines
The slam dunk contests has lost a little luster over the past decade or so and this season Superman Dwight Howard is not in the competition, 3 time champion Nate Robinson is not in the mix, and last season’s champion Blake Griffin is not competing.
2012 All Star NBA Dunk Contest Picks & Info
Saturday, February 25th, 2012, 8:00 (ET)
Location: Amway Center, Orlando, FL
TNT
There will be a new champion this season with the 4 guys taking part are Paul George, rookie Derrick Williams, Chase Budinger, and Jeremy Evans, who is taking over for Iman Shumpert after he pulled out of the event because of a knee injury.
Let’s take a look at the field for the dunk contest and their odds to win it.
Paul George 6’8″ SG Indiana Pacers (12.2 ppg) +150
George is a high flyer that has played well in his 2nd season for the Pacers and he has the best odds to win the dunk contest. He is one of the more athletic contestants that will be taking part in Orlando and he will likely show off some crazy dunk attempts. George is not a household name playing for the Pacers and coming out of Fresno State, but he can change that with some thunderous throw-downs on Saturday.
Derrick Williams 6’9″ F Minnesota Timberwolves (7.3 ppg) +300
The highly drafted Williams is only playing 18 minutes per game this season for the T-Wolves, but he can dunk with the best of them. He is the tallest player in the dunk contests and he has to be more creative facing the other high-flyers.
Chase Budinger 6’7″ F Houston Rockets (8.3 ppg) +400
Budinger is a role player for the Rockets that has played well this season, but is not the first name that comes to mid when you think of awesome dunks. However, he has some serious ups and since there is no clear-cut winner he has a legit shot to take home the trophy. It is interesting that he is in the contest since this season he only has 6 dunks.
Jeremy Evans 6’9″ SF Utah Jazz (1.7 ppg) +275
Evans has to be the biggest no name in a dunk contest filled with no-names, as the 2nd year forward is averaging less than 6 minutes per game, 2 points per game, and 1 rebound per game. He can get up and has 12 dunks in limited minutes this season and when you see him jump you will know he belongs. Still, like Williams he is a taller player and will need to be more creative when he brings down the hammer.
Jason’s Pick: Call me crazy, but going with the no-name in Evans, as he will be happy just to be there and he will come up with some sweet jams that will please the judges and the crowd. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
List Of Past NBA Slam Dunk Contest Winners
2011 – Blake Griffin
2010 – Nate Robinson
2009 – Nate Robinson
2008 – Dwight Howard
2007 – Gerald Green
2006 – Nate Robinson
2005 – Josh Smith
2004 – Fred Jones
2003 – Jason Richardson
2002 – Jason Richardson
2001 – Desmond Mason
2000 – Vince Carter
1997 – Kobe Bryant
1996 – Brent Barry
1995 – Harold Miner
1994 – Isaiah Rider
1993 – Harold Miner
1992 – Cedric Ceballos
1991 – Dee Brown
1990 – Dominique Wilkins
1989 – Kenny Walker
1988 – Michael Jordan
1987 – Michael Jordan
1986 – Spud Webb
1985 – Dominique Wilkins
1984 – Larry Nance
