Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr. already looked like he was competing in the dunk contest.
Apparently, he’ll put those skills to use in the real thing.
And so will Aaron Gordon (Magic), Victor Oladipo (Pacers) and Larry Nance Jr. (Lakers).
Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports:
Dallas Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr. has accepted an invitation to participate in NBA's slam dunk contest at All-Star weekend, league sources tell Yahoo.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 23, 2018
Oliver Maroney of Uproxx:
Aaron Gordon, Victor Oladipo and Larry Nance Jr. along with Dennis Smith Jr. (as reported by @ShamsCharania) have accepted their invitations to the 2018 NBA Dunk Contest, a league source tells me.
— Oliver Maroney (@OliverMaroney) January 23, 2018
The number of contestants in the dunk contest has varied, but it’s been four the last few years. So, this might be the entire field – and it’d be a strong one.
Gordon narrowly lost to Zach LaVine in an epic dunk contest a couple years ago. Oladipo brings star power, as he’ll probably play in the actual All-Star game. Nance has the pedigree, and I bet he involves his dad – who won the NBA’s first dunk contest in 1984 – in a dunk. Smith is the young up-and-comer with the first platform to prove himself nationally.
I can’t wait.
