Slam dunk contest 2012, here we come! It’s every basketball fan’s favorite night of the year, and this year will be no exception. Here’s my report on the top 25 fellows who are mostly likely to appear in this year’s contest.
Note: while this list is numbered, it’s not a ranking of who I think will be there. Enjoy!
Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Shoe-ins
1. Blake Griffin 
Okay, okay, we get it- jumping over the hood of a car isn’t really jumping over a car. But it looked cool, and no one doubts that Blake Griffin is a high flyer. He’s in for one reason- the champ always gets to defend his title.
2. Javale McGee 
The man has THREE balls…err, he can DUNK three balls. He finished 2nd place last year, and many believed he should have won. They’ll surely give him a chance at redemption this year. Could he be a Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Champ?
Seriously Possibilities
3. DeMar DeRozan 
The man can throw down alley-oop reverse windmills. When asked if he’ll compete again, he told reporters ‘If there’s a dunk contest next year I’ll do it. But not no prop dunk contest.’ So we’ll see. He was robbed by Nate Robinson in the 2010 dunk contest, so he might be hungry for the title that eludes him so.
4. Serge Ibaka 
Air Congo is made of pure muscle, and is one of the first people I’ve seen who can ACTUALLY dunk from the free throw line. He also has a mean teddy bear bite. There’s a good chance that he might be a Slam Dunk Contest 2012 contestant. While anything involving a mouth-and-the-rim seems to score low (remember the birthday candle? Exactly), it’s nice to see some creativity.
5. Russell Westbrook 
RussWess is only 6’3″, but he hasn’t let that stop him from throwing down thunder. He’s on the shorter side, but he can leap, so don’t rule him out. Oklahoma doesn’t have a hugely influential fanbase, which might hurt his chances a bit, but his dunks speak for themselves. But are they enough for him to become a slam dunk contest 2012 contestant?
6. Rudy Gay 
Contestant in 2008, injured in 2009, here’s a boy we haven’t seen in a while, but some folks would like to see his return. He was a ton of fun to watch when he plays for UConn, and he’s really come into his own as the leader of the Grizzlies. He has recovered from shoulder surgery, and I’m sure he’d love to put them to good use by throwing down some jams at this year’s dunk contest. We’ll see.
7. Shannon Brown 
Another fellow who was eliminated in 2010 by Nate Robinson. He’s performed (what some call) the greatest missed dunk ever. With a title like that, you can imagine that he’ll want a chance at redemption- or at least to also receive the greatest successful dunk ever, too.
8. Rudy Fernandez 
Those who know him love him. The Spaniard was the fan-voted 4th contestant in the 2009 slam dunk contest, but he had a poor showing. And he can dunk on Dwight Howard. But I don’t know if it’s enough.
Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Hopefuls
9. Josh Selby 
He won the McDonald’s All-American Dunk Contest in 2010, a contest that has also been won by LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Vince Carter. While he has the skills to compete, he might not have the name recognition that the league is looking for. (never forget, the decision is highly political and financial, and the league wants to draw the biggest crowd, and put on the greatest show, possible. Is Selby the man for the task?
10. Deandre Jordan 
Being a teammate of last year’s slam dunk contest winner must count for something, right? Oh, and he can dunk over the Lakers. All of them. But, put him on an open court, with 20,000 silent fans, and we’ll see if he can still throw down.
11. Terrence Williams 
Rick Pitino calls him “a freakish athlete”, and he tears his clothes off when he dunks. Could make for some good slam dunk contest entertainment. While public nudity might not score well with the judges, it could make for some entertaining highlight reel, and certainly a good photo or two. Williams has passion, which I like. He also has name recognition in two major markets, which will be a serious asset, when considering that angle.
12. Derrick Rose 
Though some think he’s the most overrated player in the league, he’s racked up an impressive record- Rookie of the Year, All Star two years later, youngest player to ever win MVP, 40 inch vertical. Heck, he’s basically already won it. I’d like to see him in it- it’ll either put him in his place, or solidify is place as the new heir-apparent to the Bulls franchise. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he’s the next Michael Jordan, but he does as the skills package to put on a dunk show that’s just as impressive as anything MJ did. Here’s to hoping they give him a chance.
13. Derrick Favors 
At 6’10″, some think he’s the next Dwight Howard. But can there be two Supermen? We doubt it. He’s tall, at 6’10″, which I like, and young, so he’s got leaps.
Also, does anyone else think he looks A LOT like Michael Jordan in this picture?
Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Wild Cards
14. Will Bynum 
At 6’0″, Little Willie, as we shall now call him, could be the next Nate Robinson. Not that we really want one.
Because let’s be honest, how much can he do? Maybe they should add a fifth man to the dunk contest? If only for the first round? Gah. Or lower the rim and have a second rounds for people of Hobbitesque heights.
15. Patrick Patterson 
The former Wildcat’s a quiet one, but he makes the list because I’m a fan of the Big Blue Machine. As for the constipation face that he makes whenever he dunks, perhaps he got it from his old coach, Tubby Smith. Patty’s tall enough for the job, it’s just a matter of whether or not he’s got the creativity, the passion, and the name recognition to make the ballot.
16. Iman Shumpert 
Carmelo thinks he’s a game-changer. New York loves him. But, last time I checked, his slam dunk contest 2012 fanpage only had 34 fans. So that’s a rough angle. His name doesn’t help much, but then again, so is Javale and Ibaka. Playing for the Knicks certainly helps. At least, it did for Nate Robinson. Three times. Undeservingly. I’m not bitter.
17. John Wall 
The Wizard’s #1 pick in 2010, and he’s already said he plans on competing. And he can dougie. But is it enough to become the Slam Dunk Contest 2012′s fourth contender? I have my doubts- he’s too new to the NBA, but didn’t make a lot of noise that would warrant a serious consideration for this year’s dunk contest. But what do I know?
18. Brandon Jennings 
He missed last year’s contest because of an injured left foot, and his replacement (DeRozan) didn’t do so bad. So here’s to hoping he gets another shot. That said, he’s not an All-Star, and it only seems fair to put the best of the best in a competition of the best. Am I a jerk for thinking like this?
Over the Hill
19. Nate Robinson 
Let’s face it- a dunk isn’t that impressive when it takes five attempts to complete. Sure, it’s impressive that a mini-man can soar, but it doesn’t leave much room for creative dunks. He’s already won the slam dunk contest 3 times, and most people think he only deserved one. So let’s give the young bucks a chance.
Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Wishlist
20. Lebron James 
King James a high flyer, he’s creative, and everyone wold LOVE to see him there. They say he’s the next Jordan. Or better than Jordan. Then how come he won’t show off like Jordan?! We almost had him in 2010, when he said he’d compete, but then he later backed out. What’s the deal? Does anybody know? He could make history, silence his critics, blow our minds, and win some respect and prizes… what’s not to love, James?!
21. Dwight Howard 
Superman. Nuff said.
Okay, a few more words…
He’s super creative. Everyone loves him. It’s that ear-to-ear grin. He can just approximately 15 feet in the air. And then just hang there, for 10 or 12 seconds. Let him dunk, I say.
22. Kobe Bryant 
Surely the new #KobeSystem’s gotta count for something! Kobe hasn’t competed in a while, but he’s still an amazing player. He also was one of those few players who shook the bball world when he introduced a new move that no one had done in the contest before- a through-the-legs dunk. Is his tank empty? Has he exhausted his arsenal? Is he too old? All valid questions, only answerable is we let the boy loose.
23. Dwyane Wade 
When you live in Lebron’s shadow, it’s nice to get some sun every once and a while. That said, Wade is definitely his own man, and he’s a bball phenom.
Is he worried about losing? Injuries? I think everyone would have Wade in their dream dunk contest. I know I would. Slam dunk contest 2012 champ- yours to lose.
My biggest concern- the spelling of his name. Seriously, it drives me crazy. So does the fact that he hasn’t shown us what he’s capable of doing with an open court.
24. Shaquille O’Neal 
Listen, no one’s expecting Shaq to jump very high, but the guy is super creative- have you ever seen his cell phone shoes?! Or his slot machine shoes?! No doubt he’d have the place roaring.
Maybe he’s not the competition type, but does that matter? He’s an All-Star, a world class baller, and a born entertainer. I say we let the beast loose. Give him a choir, maybe a gigantic onesie, and see what happens. History, my friends, history.
25. Mystery Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Contestant ???
Who’s missing from this list that you’d like to see?
So Who’s Going to be the Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Champion?
Only four will make. Who’s it gonna be? Vote and share your comments below!
I hope you enjoyed my first post- Slam Dunk Contest 2012 : My Top 25 Picks. more to come,
