The presentation that millions saw Saturday night was not all Collins’ idea. He was skeptical at first and thought the entirety of the act was too sophisticated for a dunk contest. He originally had approached NBA officials with a plan to leap over an object that hadn’t been jumped over before in a dunk contest. As the two parties discussed options, a plane was settled on. In theory, it was perfect because of North Carolina’s aviation history. Collins, however, didn’t have control of the size of the plane as the construction of the plane was handled by the league. The first conversation was just the two sides agreeing to a plane being involved in one of Collins’ dunks. As conversations continued, league representatives also suggested he include a nod to the Tuskegee Airmen for Black History Month, and the NBA would create a short intro video for the Wright brothers and provide the aviation headgear. Collins’ mother was a sergeant in the Air Force, and he’s a history buff himself, so he went along with it, thinking the creativity behind it would be appreciated. It fell flat.
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There was a lack of energy from the crowd all night, and a salute to the state’s history wasn’t going to be enough for the fans to care. Collins felt defeated after completing the dunk. He threw the hat he was wearing into the crowd and took a seat on the bench where he kept shaking his head in frustration. “I was just disappointed,” Collins said.
The teasing returned Saturday night from fans across social media, but Collins is hoping he gets one more chance in a future dunk contest to show that he can deliver with a second time around. “I feel like I didn’t get the full respect, but everything will come in due time,” he said. “I can see the progress. I’m not trying to rush anything too much. I like where I’m at right now.”
Mark Medina: Stephen Curry finishes with 24 and loses to Joe Harris. Steph made his first 9 shots, but then that third rack hurt him. He missed 3 of 5 on the third rack.
Dwain Price: Dirk finished tied for 6th with 17 points.
Tim Bontemps: Jayson Tatum, whose nickname is Taco Jay, on winning the Taco Bell skills challenge: "I’m gonna call Taco Bell tomorrow, tell them I need a deal. I need a commercial. I love tacos."
Michael Singer: Nikola Jokic draws Nikola Vucevic in the first round. Vooch interrupted Joker's press conference this morning at media. Joker loved it. "That's my brother."
Kyle Goon: Kyle Kuzma in the mixed zone: REPORTER: "What was missing for you to win it all?" KUZMA: "My jump shot."
Tom Orsborn: Danny Green isn't the only player wondering why Davis Bertans isn't in the 3-point contest. “He should be here,” LA said. “He’s leading the NBA. He’s been great all year... But I think that’s the #Spurs way. We don’t say anything. It’s about letting our work speak for itself."
Alex Kennedy: Seth Curry says we may see Dell Curry put up some shots tonight. 👀 pic.twitter.com/MG2kXHHb83
Barbara Barker: Dennis Smith Jr. says he talked to Vince Carter for advice on slam dunk contest. #knicks #nbamediaday pic.twitter.com/17uc5TBWBF
Ryan Wolstat: Hawks big man John Collins said he has been getting slam dunk contest advice from teammate Vince Carter and Atlanta legend Dominique Wilkins. Says it’s like having a “cheat sheet.” Makes sense. Two of the five best dunkers ever.
Larry Drew and teammates celebrated Cedi Osman’s selection as part of Team World. Internally, the Cavaliers believed there was a chance for two players in the showcase. But opposing coaches passed over rookie Collin Sexton. Twice. “I’m just gonna use it as motivation. Got to,” Sexton told cleveland.com late Wednesday night. “It’s just more fuel for me.”
“He has been scoring the basketball, but I think he’s been doing a really good job of deciphering when to score and when to pass,” Drew said recently. “That was something that coming into this thing with him that we knew we would have to teach him, and show him, and continue to harp on. But what I’m seeing, he’s kind of picking and choosing his spots. Which is what point guards do.” Sexton said he will watch the Rising Stars game. He wants to support teammate Osman and Sexton is friends with a number of participants.
Michael C. Wright: Hearing Danny Green will be on the call for the Rising Stars game. That’s pretty cool, as he definitely has a career in media ahead if he wants it.
Delk gives Diallo a shot on Saturday, if he can overcome the nerves that are certain to come with the bright lights of an All-Star Saturday night. And who knows? Maybe someday he and Williamson will meet again in a dunk contest. “You know you’re doing something as a high school kid when you’re getting the NBA guys standing up and making faces,” Delk said. “Those guys were doing it that night.”
While such a reality is laughable now, five All-Stars took part in the dunk festivities in 1985: Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, Julius “Dr. J” Erving, Clyde Drexler and Larry Nance. Another All-Star was a scratch due to injury: Charles Barkley. (His replacement was a little-known player named Terence Stansbury, who delivered the memorable “Statue of Liberty” 360-degree dunk.) The 1985 NBA Slam Dunk Contest has gone down in history as arguably the best ever, as Wilkins outlasted a sweatsuit-wearing Jordan for the dunk crown in Indianapolis. “We wanted to know who the best was,” Wilkins told The Undefeated. “It was as simple as that. And we wanted to do it for the fans. That was the biggest thing. That’s what everybody came to the All-Star Weekend to see. The dunk contest was a signature event.”
HOW WOULD YOU CHANGE THE DUNK CONTEST? Vince Carter: I would do it like the old days, like you would do in streetball. Next man up, then once you go, it’s next, next, next, next. To me, the gimmicky thing is kind of overrated. Show them what you’re ‘cooking’ with. Don’t put the onus on a guy to have to use a prop or a teammate. Just go out there and throw the ball out there. It’s your turn. And let that be that. And that’s kind of how it originated. That’s kind of how it organically happens on the streetball or basketball court. Dominique Wilkins: I don’t know what you can do because the best athletes don’t want to get in it. That’s one thing you can’t change. As for the format, I like the old-school format. You go out there and get you a ball and let your imagination do its thing. Keep it simple.
WHY AREN’T THE ELITE PLAYERS COMPETING? Dominique Wilkins: The big-time athletes won’t get in it. That is the first thing that comes to mind. But they got so many things going on besides that. … Everybody’s scared to fail. Vince Carter: I don’t think there’s a remedy. It’s just how they’re feeling. I can’t answer that question. I just don’t know. That was just something I looked forward to. But in my mind, I didn’t know I would become a star player that night. Prior to it, I wasn’t a star player. I was [a high] pick. But after that night, my life changed. I also was in the All-Star Game, so it kind of goes both ways. [The dunk contest] was something I wanted to do. … One time was enough for me. I didn’t want to be labeled as the dunk contest guy.
Kevin Knox will compete in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday but has made his decision to skip All-Star Saturday’s Dunk Contest featuring Dennis Smith Jr., his Knicks teammate. Knox decided to accept an invitation to watch his Kentucky Wildcats play host to No. 1 Tennessee in a big showdown.
Ian Begley: Dennis Smith Jr. believes the Knicks are “building something great”; he wishes the trade to NY happened earlier in the season so he could play against DAL this year; Smith Jr. also has a group chat with J. Cole and, I believe, J. Cole’s manager about dunks for the dunk contest:
Royce Young: Hamidou Diallo wouldn’t give many hints about the dunk contest, but says he’s not a fan of props and that his favorite dunker ever is Zach LaVine.
Mike Vorkunov: Kevin Knox will replace Lonzo Ball in the rookie/sophomore Rising Stars game. Knicks now have two All-Star weekend representatives. Dennis Smith Jr. is in the dunk contest.
Mike Conley confirmed to Grind City Media on Monday he has accepted the league’s invitation to participate in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge as part of the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at the Spectrum Center. All-Star Weekend is Feb. 15-17 at the home arena of the Charlotte Hornets, owned by Michael Jordan.
San Antonio Spurs Davis Bertans he will not participate at the NBA’s 3-Point Shootout at the 2019 All-Star break despite his wish to be there with a post on his social media thanked his team for the support he got.
Chris Haynes: Golden State star Klay Thompson tells Yahoo Sports he will not participate in the 3-Point Contest in Charlotte at All-Star Weekend.
Terrence Ross said he was told by the NBA staffer he spoke to about competing in the 3-point shoot at the NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte on Feb. 17 that the event was already full of participants. Reportedly, brothers Steph Curry and Seth Curry have already committed to compete in the 3-point shootout in their childhood home of Charlotte, as has veteran Dallas Mavericks’ forward Dirk Nowitzki. ``I wanted to do the 3-point and I tried to get in this year, but they told me that they already had the guys for it,’’ Ross said. ``That was a little disappointing.’’
Brian Lewis: Joe Harris will make the #NbaAllstars 3-point contest, according to a league source. #Nets
Chris Dempsey: #Nuggets POBO, Tim Connelly, on his team's All-Star representation: "So excited for Nikola, but he shouldn't be our only player in Charlotte. Jamal's personal & team success made him worthy. And the impact Monte and Torrey have made merited a spot in the Rising Stars Challenge."
The NBA already has announced that he’ll be an honorary coach for the World Team when they play the US Team in the Rising Stars game on Feb. 15. “It’s going to be fun, Friday the coaching, Saturday competing in the 3-point contest, and then Sunday playing a bit,” Nowitzki said. “I’ll hopefully make it fun and enjoy the weekend.”
Chris Haynes: Oklahoma City guard Hamidou Diallo is expected to compete in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend, league sources tell Yahoo Sports.
Casey Holdahl: “I’m shooting against the Curry’s in they hometown... I’m going to win, I’m in there to win.” — @Dame_Lillard
RJ Marquez: Davis Bertans says he absolutely wants to compete in 3-point shooting contest at #NBAAllStar weekend...said he was told he possibly wasn’t shooting enough...”I’ve haven’t heard that in my life before” Bertans made five 3s tonight, leads league in 3-pt percentage. #NBA #Spurs pic.twitter.com/Duz7HO6Ai5
Jeff Zillgitt: NBA Rising Stars rosters for U.S. team and world team: 📸: @nba
Each participant on the World Team’s 10-player roster hails from a different country, with four continents represented (North America, Africa, Europe and Australia). The World Team also includes three players who participated as campers in Basketball Without Borders (BWB), the NBA and FIBA’s global basketball development and community outreach program: Ayton (BWB Global 2016), Gilgeous-Alexander (BWB Global 2016) and Markkanen (BWB Europe 2014; BWB Global 2015).
Boston’s Kyrie Irving (U.S. Team) and Dallas’ Dirk Nowitzki (World Team) will serve as honorary coaches in MTN DEW ICE Rising Stars. The official Rising Stars head coaches will be an assistant coach from each 2019 NBA All-Star Game coaching staff. The All-Star Game coaching staffs are determined by the best record in each conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 3.
RJ Marquez: #Spurs news: Confirmed Davis Bertans wants to compete in #NBAAllStar 3-point contest and feels he's earned it. Nothing official has been announced by league on his participation, but expect something soon. Bertans leads league in 3-point FG percentage (.492%) #NBA #GoSpursGo pic.twitter.com/klWyHqtSfR
Jabari Young: So I’m told Davis Bertans wanted to participate in the #NBAAllStarGame2019 3-Pt contest, but got stiffed... apparently told he didn’t shoot enough of them... weird because I swear there are at least 2 guys in the contest who doesn’t either 🤷🏿♂️ #Spurs @TheAthleticNBA
Jabari Young: So I’m told Davis Bertans wanted to participate in the #NBAAllStarGame2019 3-Pt contest, but got stiffed... apparently told he didn’t shoot enough of them... weird because I swear there are at least 2 guys in the contest who doesn’t either 🤷🏿♂️ #Spurs @TheAthleticNBA
Connor Letourneau: Asked if he plans to participate in the 3-point contest, Klay Thompson said, "I don't know. I'll take a couple more days, probably."
Tom Orsborn: Asked Derrick White pre-game about the possibility of playing in the Rising Stars game during All-Star Weekend: “It would be pretty cool, but I haven’t heard anything. Growing up, you just watch all the events at the All-Star game. It would be cool to be a part of any event."
Shams Charania: Sacramento's Buddy Hield will participate in the 3-point shootout at All-Star weekend in Charlotte, sources tell @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium.
Jay Allen: I asked @Seth Curry recently who would win a 3-pt. contest between him & @Stephen Curry: "Oh me, me me. I'm always confident in my shot, so it would be a fun night; and going against my bro, it would be good entertainment." @Portland Trail Blazers #RipCity @RipCityRadio620
Mark Berman: Eric Gordon (@Eric Gordon) would like to get invited to compete in the three-point shooting contest during All-Star Weekend: "I would love to be in it again since I won it just two years ago..I'd definitely like to get that chance and represent Houston." #Rockets pic.twitter.com/Mf1qIb2gaW
Shams Charania: Sources @TheAthleticNBA @WatchStadium: Mavericks future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki has committed to the NBA 3-point shootout at All-Star weekend. So Dallas will have Nowitzki in 3-point shootout, Dennis Smith Jr. in Dunk Contest and Luka Doncic in Skills Competition.
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry plans to join his brother Seth Curry of the Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA All-Star Weekend 3-point contest in Charlotte, North Carolina, Stephen told ESPN on Friday night. The competition will take place Feb. 16. The Currys grew up in Charlotte, and Stephen was an All-American at nearby Davidson College.
Brad Townsend: Doncic on if he's looking forward to the skills competition and All-Star weekend: "Yeah, for sure. Obviously I can’t do slam dunk. But yeah, I’m excited to go in the skills challenge and have fun."
Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry has been invited to participate in the NBA 3-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in his hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The league is still rounding out its list of contestants for the Feb. 16 event, sources said.
It will be a full weekend for Celtics forward Jayson Tatum at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, as he was invited to and will participate in the Skills Challenge during the Saturday session, according to an NBA source. Tatum, 20, is also expected to participate in the Rising Stars Challenge on Feb. 15 at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center. The invitation for Tatum to the Skills Challenge is a sign of respect for his ascension in the league.
The Vertical: We received a response from @Joe Ingles himself in reference to our petition to get him in the Skills Challenge. Not the answer we were hoping for. pic.twitter.com/dV4N5tPe4P
Charlotte, North Carolina, will be the site of this year’s NBA All-Star Weekend in February, but Utah Jazz forward Joe Ingles doesn’t plan on being anywhere near the area. Despite a Yahoo Sports petition being started last week to get him in the Skills Challenge, Ingles would rather spend the time with his wife, Renae, and twin children far, far away from the festivities. “You know exactly what my thoughts are on that. You know what my answer’s going to be. I’m going on vacation,” Ingles said. “I’m going to spend time with my kids and my wife. That’s it.”
As of Wednesday morning, ahead of Utah’s game versus Denver, more than 2,400 people had signed the petition with a 2,500 goal in mind. Ingles’ teammate Donovan Mitchell even shared it via social media with the Twitter hashtag #Joe2Skills, while the Yahoo Sports staff has continued to promote it across the web. While most would be flattered, Ingles is different. “I don’t know who started it,” Ingles said. “I don’t know why they started it, they should’ve known the answer. I’m having some time off.”
Marc Stein: Dirk Nowitzki has been invited to participate in the 3-point contest at All-Star Weekend in Charlotte, league sources say.
Marc Stein: It will be Nowitzki's sixth career entry into the Long Distance Shootout ... in his 21st (and possibly last) season. The lifelong Dallas Maverick won the 3-point crown in 2006.
Marco Belinelli wants to see Davis Bertans stay busy over the All-Star break. The winner of the 3-point contest at the 2014 NBA All-Star Weekend in New Orleans is endorsing Bertans for this year's long-ball showcase. "One-hundred percent, no question about it, he should be invited," said Belinelli, the only Spur to ever win the 3-point contest.
Scott Agness: I asked Victor Oladipo about the All-Star Dunk Contest and whether he’d do it a third time. “Never again,” he said. “I’m done with the dunk contest.”
Barry Jackson: Derrick Jones Jr said he has not received word on whether he will be invited to slam dunk contest all star weekend but will participate if invited
Eric Walden: Donovan, on why he's skipping the Dunk Contest this year: "I remember last year when I came back from All-Star [weekend], I was tired. … We haven’t really taken off like we thought we would have, so … it would be better just to rest and mentally be focused for the second half." pic.twitter.com/5H57wzjpNk
Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell broke into the national spotlight during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles last year after winning the Slam Dunk contest. However, the second-year guard won’t be defending his crown at NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte this February at the Spectrum Center. Although he isn’t competing in the dunk contest, Deseret News sources say he hasn’t ruled out the Rising Stars Game on Friday, Feb. 15.
“I loved doing the dunk contest last year and it was a ton of fun, but I also know it takes a lot of focus, practice and preparation,” Mitchell told the Deseret News. “Right now, my mind is really on helping my team make a deep run (in the) second half of the season. I’m excited though for the weekend, I’m going to be able to be a part of some great events.”
Carmichael Dave: I’m told the Sacramento Kings will have 4 representatives invited to all star weekend in Charlotte. Buddy Hield in the 3 point contest, and De’Aaron Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and Marvin Bagley in the Rising Stars Challenge. No word if Fox will be in the Skills Competition.
A campaign definitely isn't coming from Lopez. He made that clear in the visiting locker room at the Pepsi Center in Denver after connecting on a career-high 8 three-pointers Nov. 11 – the night he began to be called by the nickname "Splash Mountain." The last time he campaigned for something was for a student government position in high school and he finished last. That was enough for him to decide he isn't a very good politician or campaigner. “That would be pretty wild, it would be fun," Lopez said of potentially being included in the contest. “I’m just going to go out and do what I do on the court and if it happens that would be great.”
Comparing Lopez's numbers to those of shooters who participated in last year's three-point contest, Lopez has more three-pointers than Bradley Beal, Tobias Harris and winner Devin Booker had at this point last season. His percentage (37.4) is also higher than what Beal and Eric Gordon had through 40 games. “Of course, I’d put my money on it, yeah," said Tony Snell, who is Lopez's shooting partner in post-practice three-point shooting games, when asked if Lopez deserved a spot in the competition. “That would put the icing on the cake, man.”
Lopez has made seven or more three-pointers in three games this season, something only Stephen Curry (six), James Harden (six) and Kemba Walker (four) have done more often. Only Harden and Lopez have recorded back-to-back games of seven or more three-pointers.
Participants in the 2019 NBA Three-Point Contest will be announced in the coming weeks, and the Brooklyn Nets are in the midst of an all-out campaign for sharpshooter Joe Harris.
Ira Winderman: Heat's Derrick Jones Jr. celebrates his leap year. sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-h… And, yes, he would welcome an invitation to return to the dunk contest, "If they call me when I'm 32, trust me, I'm in that dunk contest. I'm not going to turn that down. That's a whole lot of fun."
With Vince Carter in the midst of his 21st NBA season, there's been a movement among some to recruit him to compete in February's dunk contest at All-Star weekend. But Carter says it's not going to happen, and that's because he knows he can't come close to replicating his legendary performance in 2000. "I don't think about doing it," the Atlanta Hawks veteran told teammate Kent Bazemore and Annie Finberg on The Ringer's "Winging It" podcast. "We all ... go back and talk about the dunk contest from 2000 and what it did for people and where you were and all of that, and I know what it did for me. So I feel like to taint it, 18-19 years later, why?"
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon electrified the NBA world in the Slam Dunk Contest in 2016 and ’17, and he was expected to return to do the same this season in Charlotte, North Carolina. Instead, he’s taking a step back. “No, I’m not doing it [this year],” Gordon told Yahoo Sports. “It’s more focusing on winning and becoming a complete player and getting to the playoffs.”
But the 7-foot “Cajun Kid’’ has another dream — being in Charlotte during All-Star Weekend in February. The 20-year-old’s pie-in-the-sky hope is hitting the daily double — being selected to the Rookie-Sophomore All-Star Game then competing in the slam-dunk contest. “It’s crossed my mind,’’ Robinson told The Post after setting the Knicks’ rookie record for blocks with nine Sunday against the Magic. “I always wanted to be in one — a dunk contest. If I have a chance, why not go for it. And if I get selected for that [the rookie-sophomore game], it would be great, too. It’s a big dream of mine. Maybe I can do both.’’
Omari Sanfoka II: Jaren Jackson Jr. says he hopes his former teammate at Michigan State, Miles Bridges, makes the dunk contest. "If he's there, then I gotta go. I just want to go so I can put on a fit and be there on the sideline. I gotta have an excuse to wear something."
