NBA Dunk Contest Competitors

[Agent Zero]

NEW YORK, Feb. 5, 2007 ? New York?s Nate Robinson will defend his crown in the 2007 Sprite Slam Dunk competition to be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS?, Feb. 17 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Robinson will compete against three first-time entrants ? Boston?s Gerald Green, who is an alumnus of the NBA Development League, Orlando?s Dwight Howard and Chicago?s Tyrus Thomas ? for this year?s title.Last year in Houston, the 5-9 Robinson outlasted Philadelphia?s Andre Iguodala 47-46 in a dunk-off to become only the second sub-6-foot winner in contest history joining Spud Webb, the 1986 champion. Webb provided the bounce pass for Robinson?s only 50-point dunk of the competition.Golden State?s Jason Richardson was the last player to win back-to-back Sprite Slam Dunk titles capturing the 2002 and 2003 competitions. The only previous repeat Slam Dunk champion was Chicago?s Michael Jordan, who won the 1987 and 1988 contests.The judges of this year?s Sprite Slam Dunk competition will include Jordan, who is the all-time All-Star Game scoring leader with 262 points in 14 appearances; 1985 and 1990 Slam Dunk champion and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Dominique Wilkins; 1997 Slam Dunk winner and starting guard for this year?s Western Conference All-Stars Kobe Bryant; 2000 Slam Dunk winner and 2007 Eastern Conference All-Star reserve Vince Carter and 11-time NBA All-Star and Pro Basketball Hall of Famer Julius ?Dr. J? Erving.There are two rule changes for this year?s competition: Upon receiving the ball from the referee, players will have a two-minute time limit to complete their dunk. If a player hasn?t completed a dunk when the two-minute clock expires, he will have two more attempts to do so. Also new this year is the use of television instant replay, at the discretion of the referee, for clarification of rules compliance.The Sprite Slam Dunk will be broadcast live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS, which will also feature the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam; Sprite Slam Dunk; Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout; PlayStation? Skills Challenge; Haier Shooting Stars; NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas, the league?s interactive event that attracts more than 100,000 fans each year; and the 56th NBA All-Star Game.Sprite is the world?s leading lemon-lime soft drink and has been the official soft drink of the NBA since 1994. The brand?s association with the NBA and players like LeBron James help to reinforce Sprite?s straightforward attitude and ?subLYMONAL? message.Below is a list of previous winners and the lineup for the 2007 Sprite Slam Dunk:SPRITE SLAM DUNK YEAR-BY-YEAR WINNERS1984?Larry Nance, Phoenix1985?Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta1986?Spud Webb, Atlanta1987?Michael Jordan, Chicago1988?Michael Jordan, Chicago1989?Kenny Walker, New York1990?Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta1991?Dee Brown, Boston1992?Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix1993?Harold Miner, Miami 1994?Isaiah Rider, Minnesota1995?Harold Miner, Miami1996?Brent Barry, L.A. Clippers1997?Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers2000?Vince Carter, Toronto2001?Desmond Mason, Seattle2002?Jason Richardson, Golden State2003?Jason Richardson, Golden State2004?Fred Jones, Indiana2005?Josh Smith, Atlanta2006?Nate Robinson, New York2007 SPRITE SLAM DUNK COMPETITORSGerald Green, Boston | SF | 6-8 / 200Dwight Howard, Orlando | C | 6-11 / 265Nate Robinson, New York | PG | 5-9 / 180Tyrus Thomas, Chicago | PF | 6-9 / 215--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NEW YORK, Jan. 29, 2007 ? Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade will defend his PlayStation? Skills Challenge title against three of the league?s biggest stars on Feb. 17 as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. The competitors hoping to deny Wade?s quest for a repeat are the Los Angeles Lakers? Kobe Bryant, the Cleveland Cavaliers? LeBron James and the Phoenix Suns? Steve Nash.The PlayStation Skills Challenge was introduced at NBA All-Star 2003 in Atlanta and consists of four players competing in a two-round timed ?obstacle course? consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations. All players must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the course. The two players with the fastest times from the first round advance to the finals with the order of competition determined by inverse order of the first round times. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.Wade, who defeated James in the finals of the 2006 PlayStation Skills Challenge in Houston, is tied with Bryant for third in the NBA in scoring, averaging 28.4 points per game. Nash, who won the event in 2005 in Denver, currently leads the league in assists with 11.8 per game. James, who was the leading vote-getter for this year?s All-Star game, is seventh in the league in scoring at 27.2 points per game.The PlayStation Skills Challenge will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which will also feature the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk and Haier Shooting Stars. TNT and ESPN Radio?s national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EST from the Thomas & Mack Center. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 18, will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.About Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. continues to redefine the entertainment lifestyle with its PlayStation? and PS one? game console, the PlayStation?2 computer entertainment system, the PSP? (PlayStation?Portable) system, and the ground-breaking PLAYSTATION?3 (PS3?) computer entertainment system. Recognized as the undisputed industry leader, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. markets the PlayStation family of products and develops, publishes, markets, and distributes software for the PS one game console, the PlayStation 2 computer entertainment system, the PSP system and the PS3 system for the North American market. Based in Foster City, Calif. Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc. serves as headquarters for all North American operations and is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.Attached are the participants for the 2007 PlayStation Skills Challenge:2007 PLAYSTATION SKILLS CHALLENGE COMPETITORSKobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers | SG | 6-6 / 220LeBron James, Cleveland | SF | 6-8 / 240Steve Nash, Phoenix | PG | 6-3 / 195Dwyane Wade, Miami | SG | 6-4 / 212PLAYSTATION SKILLS CHALLENGE YEAR-BY-YEAR WINNERS2003 ? Jason Kidd, New Jersey2004 ? Baron Davis, New Orleans2005 ? Steve Nash, Phoenix2006 ? Dwyane Wade, Miami

 

[DevinHester23]

I thought the skills challenge is an NBA player, a retired player, and a WNBA player from the same city??

 

[Agent Zero]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (DevinHester23 @ Feb 5 2007, 10:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I thought the skills challenge is an NBA player, a retired player, and a WNBA player from the same city??</div>No this is the skills challenge: http://www.basket-plus.com/images/NBA/NBA%...s_challenge.jpg , http://perso.orange.fr/nba-history/images/..._295_050219.jpgYou're thinking of the Haier Shooting Stars. http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp...ingPortrait.jpgI can't wait for the Rookie Challenge http://www.nba.com/allstar2007/rookie_challenge/ and Celebrity game.

 

[TCOF]

Someone please remind me why Nate Robinson won last year when Igudalia (SP?) won it easily.

 

[AdropOFvenom]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (TCOF @ Feb 6 2007, 06:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Someone please remind me why Nate Robinson won last year when Igudalia (SP?) won it easily.</div>Because Nate is cooler then Iguodala.And it's a proven fact that New York > Philadephia in all things.duh.

(Note: Sarcasm)

 

[Agent Zero]

TCOF, you trying to spell Iguodala made me laugh lolNate Robinson won because he's 5'9 and him jumping over Spud Webb looked cool, even if Iguodala's dunks were better and he could've done everything Nate did.

 

[Brooksie5]

What about the 3pt competition? Who is in that?

 

[DevinHester23]

Tyrus Thomas got fined 10K today by the Bulls for saying he's just doing the dunk thing for the cheese

 

[Agent Zero]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Brooksie5 @ Feb 7 2007, 12:29 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>What about the 3pt competition? Who is in that?</div>All I know is that Nowitzki and Arenas are in it.

 

[AdropOFvenom]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Feb 6 2007, 07:17 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>TCOF, you trying to spell Iguodala made me laugh lolNate Robinson won because he's 5'9 and him jumping over Spud Webb looked cool, even if Iguodala's dunks were better and he could've done everything Nate did.</div>It's alot easier to jump over Spud Webb when you're like 8 inches taller then Robinson. :whistling:

 

[Jon_Vilma]

My thing about the dunk contest is that I'd love it if the best in the NBA went. Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, etc should be the contestants. Not the backup pointgauard who has some skill.

 

[GaMeTiMe]

Nate is probably the most exciting dunker in the game, and Tyrus is a high flyer..Not crazy about Green and Howard in there though. Can't see Dwight doing anything all that creative since he's a bigman.

 

[Agent Zero]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Feb 7 2007, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My thing about the dunk contest is that I'd love it if the best in the NBA went. Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, etc should be the contestants. Not the backup pointgauard who has some skill.</div>...and Jason Richardson, Donell Taylor, Tracy McGrady, Steve Francis...

 

[Capt. Comeback]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (The Punisher @ Feb 7 2007, 09:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Feb 7 2007, 01:11 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>My thing about the dunk contest is that I'd love it if the best in the NBA went. Vince Carter, Kobe Bryant, etc should be the contestants. Not the backup pointgauard who has some skill.</div>...and Jason Richardson, Donell Taylor, Tracy McGrady, Steve Francis...</div>I wonder why Mugsey Bogues was never in it when he played

 

[Nebkreb]

if it was the best dunkers in the NBA, it would be something likeVCKobeJosh SmithTmacLeBron every year.

 

[Agent Zero]

Wow I forgot about Josh Smith.But take out LeBron. He's overrated at dunks (he can jump like crazy but he couldn't win a dunk contest).DONELL TAYLOR can do ANY dunk VINCE can.

 

[AdropOFvenom]

Stupid Tyrus Thomas<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>The first Bulls player since Scottie Pippen in 1990 to participate in the event, Thomas was quoted in Tuesday's editions of the Tribune as saying: "I'm just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day."When asked if being around some of the game's greats could be beneficial for a rookie, he responded, "I'm just into the free money. That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there."</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2756552

 

[Agent Zero]

NEW YORK, Feb. 8, 2007 – The Dallas Mavericks' Dirk Nowitzki will look to defend his title in this year's Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout which will be held on NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS™, Feb. 17 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.<span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Nowitzki</span>, who will make his sixth NBA All-Star appearance this year, won last year’s closely contested event in Houston. He aims to become the first back-to-back winner since Peja Stojakovic, winner of the competition in 2002 and 2003. The seven-footer will face 2006 runner-up and Eastern Conference All-Star starter <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Gilbert Arenas</span> of the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers guard <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Damon Jones</span>, Miami Heat forward and the NBA’s leader in three-point shooting percentage <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Jason Kapono</span>, Memphis forward <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Mike Miller</span>, as well as Nowitzki’s Dallas teammate, <span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%">Jason Terry</span>.The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four orange balls worth one point each and one multi-colored ball (money ball) worth two points at each location. Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of first round scores. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.The Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA Sports™, which will also feature the Haier Shooting Stars, Sprite Slam Dunk and PlayStation? Skills Challenge. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. ET from Thomas & Mack Center. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 18, will air live from Thomas & Mack Center on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.Foot Locker, in its fourth year as the sponsor of the Three-Point Shootout, is part of Foot Locker, Inc., a specialty athletic retailer that operates approximately 4,000 stores in countries in North America, Europe and Australia. Through its Foot Locker, Footaction, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker and Champs Sports retail stores, as well as its direct-to-customer channel Footlocker.com/Eastbay, the Company is the leading provider of athletic footwear and apparel.Following is a list of the year-by-year winners and the 2007 Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout roster:FOOT LOCKER THREE-POINT SHOOTOUT YEAR-BY-YEAR WINNERS1986 -- Larry Bird, Boston1987 -- Larry Bird, Boston1988 -- Larry Bird, Boston1989 -- Dale Ellis, Seattle1990 -- Craig Hodges, Chicago1991 -- Craig Hodges, Chicago1992 -- Craig Hodges, Chicago1993 -- Mark Price, Cleveland1994 -- Mark Price, Cleveland1995 -- Glen Rice, Miami1996 -- Tim Legler, Washington1997 -- Steve Kerr, Chicago1998 -- Jeff Hornacek, Utah2000 -- Jeff Hornacek, Utah2001 -- Ray Allen, Milwaukee2002 -- Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento2003 -- Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento2004 -- Voshon Lenard, Denver2005 -- Quentin Richardson, Phoenix2006 -- Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas----------------------------------------------------I'm surprised DeShawn Stevenson didn't make it... but oh well, Agent Zero is taking this. He got robbed last year. He would've won if they wouldn't have counted Nowitzki's shot after the buzzer in the finals.

 

[Brooksie5]

Mike Miller FTW.