NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest 2013: The Dunkers

This year’s slam dunk contest has suffered yet again from a dearth of NBA superstars willing to compete in the contest. One fan even offered LeBron James $1,000,000 if he entered the contest this year, however the reigning MVP declined. In spite of this, the contest boasts six players who possess major hops and many of their dunks have already claimed victims this season.

Despite a lack of superstars the entrants are truly amongst the best at dunking in the league. The participants include Jeremy Evans, Kenneth Faried, Eric Bledsoe, Gerald Green, Terrence Ross and James White.

Kenneth Faried is an immensley powerful dunker who can tear the rim from the backboard, however, he lacks the ability to manouvre his body in the air as well as most others in the contest, meaning he will struggle to pull off some of the more difficult and impressive dunks. In spite of this, the ‘Manimal’s’ popularity means he isn’t one to overlook, as the fan’s votes could help determine him the winner.

Eric Bledsoe’s dunks will look impressive, mainly because he stands at 6’1″ tall, significantly shorter than all the other participants. However, his smaller stature is also his weakness, he isn’t gifted with long arms as the other participants are, and so will struggle to throw down some of the more acrobatic dunks.

Terrence Ross is another superb athlete who can ‘jump out the gym’. He has already thrown down numerous monster dunks and posters, just ask Jason Smith and J.J. Redick. Ross’ rookie status could be his downfall, as the pressure may get the better of him and he will be an unknown name amongst some of the fans.

Jeremy Evans’ creativity won him the 2012 Dunk Contest – which was dubbed the worst in history – as he dunked two balls throught the basket simultaneously. This year he faces greater talent and athleticism than in 2012. Fans are already familiar with his winning dunk from last year, and so unless Evans pulls off something the crowd have never witnessed before, he will struggle to win this year’s contest.

Regardless of the uber-athletic jumpers already mentioned, the 2013 NBA Dunk Contest has two clear favourites, Gerald Green of the Indiana Pacers and James White of the New York Knicks.

James White is perhaps the least well known of the contestants, however, as shown in numerous dunk contests around Europe, he has insane dunks up his sleeve. His between the legs dunk from the free throw line was arguably the greatest ever throwdown performed by an NBA player on European soil.

However, White has stern competition from Gerald Green, whom reportedly has a vertical leap of almost 50 inches. Green won the 2007 contest and came second in the 2008 contest, this experience could provide him with the edge he needs to take down White. Green and White have gone toe to toe before in the 2010 Russian Cup Dunk Contest. This is round 2, and Green will be out for revenge.