The NBA All Star Saturday night takes place at Staples Center in Los Angeles. The highlight of the evening will be the Slam Dunk Contest according to reports that’ll feature Dennis Smith Jr. (Dallas Mavs), Victor Oladipo (Indiana Pacers), Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic), and Larry Nance Jr. (Los Angeles Lakers).
Aaron Gordon stated after he competed in 2017 Slam Dink contest that he would not compete in the contest in 2018. Time allows a person to reflect and change perspective on decisions. The three time Dunk participant will have to pull some spectacular and creative dunks out of his bag of tricks this year.
The fourth-year player is having an excellent season in Orlando, averaging 18.4 points and 8.2 rebounds.
Victor Oladipo has had an All-Star-type year in his fifth NBA season for the Pacers, averaging 24.2 points and 5.2 rebounds.
Larry Nance Jr. continues to mull over the opportunity to participate, however he has been one of the NBA’s best in-game dunkers. With enough space, Nance will put you on a poster, just ask Kevin Durant and David West who were his latest victims this season. Nance has truly made a statement this far, in the words of Jay-Z… don’t be the next victim on that summer jam screen. It’ll be great to see Nance put on for his city in L.A.
Dennis Smith Jr., has averaged 14.8 points and 4.6 assists in 39 games. He was the No. 9 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Smith has had a good rookie season thus far for Dallas, as he continues to learn, this kid will only get better with time. Next week the NBA will officially announce the participants for the Slam Dunk contest.
