All-Star Saturday gets a makeover

[sed522002]

The most dramatic change Saturday is coming in the night’s marquee event, the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. The competition will feature six dunkers, three from each conference, in a free-wheeling, two-round showdown to determine the best conference. For the first time in the event’s history, no individual dunker will be crowned. Instead, the title will go to the best conference. Complete rules.
Dunking for the Eastern Conference will be the team captain George of the Pacers, 2013 champion Terrence Ross of the Raptors and John Wall of the Wizards.  The Western Conference dunkers will be Lillard, Harrison Barnes of the Warriors and Ben McLemore of the Sacramento Kings.

I like that idea. I think it may help to get "bigger" names to participate. I think the East will win this one.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/02/06/all-star-saturday-gets-a-makeover/?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

[Donoghus]

I hate the team concept here.

The dunk contest is all about individualism. Give me a winner!

Is the "trophy generation" seeping into pro sports now?

[bdm860]

The most dramatic change Saturday is coming in the night’s marquee event, the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. The competition will feature six dunkers, three from each conference, in a free-wheeling, two-round showdown to determine the best conference. For the first time in the event’s history, no individual dunker will be crowned. Instead, the title will go to the best conference. Complete rules.
Dunking for the Eastern Conference will be the team captain George of the Pacers, 2013 champion Terrence Ross of the Raptors and John Wall of the Wizards.  The Western Conference dunkers will be Lillard, Harrison Barnes of the Warriors and Ben McLemore of the Sacramento Kings.

I like that idea. I think it may help to get "bigger" names to participate. I think the East will win this one.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/02/06/all-star-saturday-gets-a-makeover/?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

Why do you think this would get "bigger" names to participate? Because I just don't see this happening at all.  The big stars tend to have big egos, and I don't see them signing up to share the spotlight.  Dunk teams = less glory, but almost the same amount of shame if you lose.  If anything I could see fewer guys signing up (though I really think it will be about the same).

I think this will flop like the wheel.  One and done, hopefully.

[celticslove]

The most dramatic change Saturday is coming in the night’s marquee event, the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. The competition will feature six dunkers, three from each conference, in a free-wheeling, two-round showdown to determine the best conference. For the first time in the event’s history, no individual dunker will be crowned. Instead, the title will go to the best conference. Complete rules.
Dunking for the Eastern Conference will be the team captain George of the Pacers, 2013 champion Terrence Ross of the Raptors and John Wall of the Wizards.  The Western Conference dunkers will be Lillard, Harrison Barnes of the Warriors and Ben McLemore of the Sacramento Kings.

I like that idea. I think it may help to get "bigger" names to participate. I think the East will win this one.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/02/06/all-star-saturday-gets-a-makeover/?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

Why do you think this would get "bigger" names to participate? Because I just don't see this happening at all.  The big stars tend to have big egos, and I don't see them signing up to share the spotlight.  Dunk teams = less glory, but almost the same amount of shame if you lose.  If anything I could see less guys signing up (though I really think it will be about the same).

I think this will flop like the wheel.  One and done, hopefully.

maybe just maybe LeFlop will not be scared to enter this event knowing that this will have a team concept theme. He can join a team of super dunkers from the east and win.lol

[sed522002]

The most dramatic change Saturday is coming in the night’s marquee event, the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. The competition will feature six dunkers, three from each conference, in a free-wheeling, two-round showdown to determine the best conference. For the first time in the event’s history, no individual dunker will be crowned. Instead, the title will go to the best conference. Complete rules.
Dunking for the Eastern Conference will be the team captain George of the Pacers, 2013 champion Terrence Ross of the Raptors and John Wall of the Wizards.  The Western Conference dunkers will be Lillard, Harrison Barnes of the Warriors and Ben McLemore of the Sacramento Kings.

I like that idea. I think it may help to get "bigger" names to participate. I think the East will win this one.

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/02/06/all-star-saturday-gets-a-makeover/?ls=iref:nbahpt3a

Why do you think this would get "bigger" names to participate? Because I just don't see this happening at all.  The big stars tend to have big egos, and I don't see them signing up to share the spotlight.  Dunk teams = less glory, but almost the same amount of shame if you lose.  If anything I could see less guys signing up (though I really think it will be about the same).

I think this will flop like the wheel.  One and done, hopefully.

maybe just maybe LeFlop will not be scared to enter this event knowing that this will have a team concept theme. He can join a team of super dunkers from the east and win.lol

I don't think Lebron will ever join..lol, but that concept may appeal..lol.

[indeedproceed]

Lillard and Wall, I don't think it's gonna go great there. Both guys are electrifying in-game Dunkers, and both can elevate, but between George and Ross, might as well be a wrap right now.

I miss the Dwight Howard big name dunk entries.

[BASS_THUMPER]

i believe in individuals showing they dunk talent as well

but i can see this team dunking bring more people out on the court that would not normally do it

variety

[sed522002]

Lillard and Wall, I don't think it's gonna go great there. Both guys are electrifying in-game Dunkers, and both can elevate, but between George and Ross, might as well be a wrap right now.

I miss the Dwight Howard big name dunk entries.

They're afraid of having a wack dunk and people talk about it on social media.

[Vox_Populi]

Lillard and Wall, I don't think it's gonna go great there. Both guys are electrifying in-game Dunkers, and both can elevate, but between George and Ross, might as well be a wrap right now.

I miss the Dwight Howard big name dunk entries.

Eh, I agree about Lillard but Wall's on a different level athletically. He's got the ingenuity too. That behind the back dunk from a few years ago was pretty impressive.

Anyway, I'm just glad the participants this year are guys people know about. When's the last time we had 3 All-Stars in the contest and one borderline/genuine superstar (George)?

[Yoki_IsTheName]

I have an All Star Game makeover.

Make it 15 players. There's a lot of deserving players pretty much every year that don't miss the cut, why not add a couple?

Also, it'll be easier for coaches, a diffrent 5 for the first three quarters then field the best team in the 4th.

[317]

ugly change to the dunk contest. go back to the old rules for attempts, allow the judges to watch a few replays before scoring. instead of everyone getting some money and a little more for winning(iirc its like $50k for winning and $10k just for participating) make it winner take all, to a charity of there choice. whoever sponsors the event(Sprint maybe?) could up the anti to say $250k and the league could match it.

a cool half million for charity might actual get the big names back in the contest

[moiso]

I really dislike this change.  Even the actual allstar game has an MVP.  I don't see how there can be no individual award in the dunk contest.

[D.o.s.]

Not thinking about it too deeply, but wouldn't the team rules encourage some of the Really Big Names to join in, since there's less scrutiny on each individual player?


I mean, the Dunk contest has been goofy for a while, but the nail in the coffin was when the league totally shafted everyone so that Griffin could jump over the hood of that Kia.


I am all for making the Dunk Contest more like a session. I think we'd see more creativity in a more relaxed atmosphere.

[celtic -_- pride]

Not thinking about it too deeply, but wouldn't the team rules encourage some of the Really Big Names to join in, since there's less scrutiny on each individual player?


I mean, the Dunk contest has been goofy for a while, but the nail in the coffin was when the league totally shafted everyone so that Griffin could jump over the hood of that Kia.


I am all for making the Dunk Contest more like a session. I think we'd see more creativity in a more relaxed atmosphere.

good point. the players essentially would have no fear going up with a squad. but there should definitely be a best individual dunker award like an mvd

[D.o.s.]

Not thinking about it too deeply, but wouldn't the team rules encourage some of the Really Big Names to join in, since there's less scrutiny on each individual player?


I mean, the Dunk contest has been goofy for a while, but the nail in the coffin was when the league totally shafted everyone so that Griffin could jump over the hood of that Kia.


I am all for making the Dunk Contest more like a session. I think we'd see more creativity in a more relaxed atmosphere.

good point. the players essentially would have no fear going up with a squad. but there should definitely be a best individual dunker award like an mvd

Also, there's at least a chance for some really cool alley-oops/multiple player co-ordination. We've already seen teammates lobbing to teammates (Iggy taking a bounce of the side of the backboard, anyone?), but you could really open it up with three people.