You know why Nate Robinson and Spud Webb won the dunk contest? Because we love to see the little guys who can get up. We mere mortals identify with guys who are not quite six foot jumping over Dwight Howard and throwing it down.
This year’s Saturday night Dunk Contest? Battle of the big guys. Blake Griffin and Serge Ibaka are 6’10”, JaVale McGee comes in at 7’0” even. The “little guy” this time around is 6’7” DeMar DeRozan.
It’s a little surreal,” McGee told PBT Friday. “I never thought I’d be in the dunk contest, especially being as tall as I am….
“I feel big guys can do the same thing little guys can do, it just looks easier, and maybe that’s why it’s lower scoring. But it’s just as hard for big guys, we’ve got more weight and a lot of stuff.”
Of course, the Dunk Contest might have gone the way of the Dodo if not for a big guy — Dwight Howard revived it with a combination of power and creativity a few years back. Maybe we are in for a show. Griffin gives us all hope.
Let’s break it down.
Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers): He’s the favorite, the viral video sensation that pretty much owns YouTube by now. (Well, him and cats that play the piano.) The guy is ferocious in game, running the break and pointing for the ally-oop. Not letting any mere mortal — say, Timofey Mozgov, for example — get in his way. He can dunk with either hand and leap of two feet or one. He’s got all the skills.
Here’s what we don’t know: How creative will he be? Shannon Brown is a great in-game dunker who fell flat last season when it came time to do staged dunks in an exhibition. Clippers coach Vinny Del Negro said Griffin enjoys this kind of stage. If so, it could be one for the ages.
DeMar DeRozan (Toronto Raptors): Do not sleep on this guy — he came in second last year in what was a disappointing contest. Did he learn anything from that? He has the athletic skills, and we do love the little guy (even if the little guy is 6’7”).
JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards): He has the leaping ability, the athleticism, the length to put on a show for the ages. He’s also not exactly know for focus. ESPN’s John Hollinger had the best line: “He could win this thing or he could pull up for a 17-foot jumper.”
Serge Ibaka (Oklahoma City Thunder): He certainly can jump, but it’s usually to block shots. He doesn’t have the power or pure athleticism to outdo the others in this competition, his only hope is to go Carrot Top and become a prop dunker.
