Young, who is averaging 28.9 points, 8.4 assists and shooting 37.5 percent from beyond the arc, will accept the invitation, sources said. Dončić is still deliberating, sources said.
More on All-Star Contests
Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young and Dallas Mavericks star Luka Dončić have been invited to participate in the NBA Three-Point Contest at All-Star Weekend in Chicago next month, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The two emerging stars will always be linked as their respective teams swapped the pair on draft day in 2018.
Shams Charania: Pistons guard Derrick Rose plans to return to Chicago for NBA All-Star Weekend in February, accepting invitation to the Skills Competition Saturday night, sources tell @The Athletic @Stadium.
Rick Bonnell: I asked @Devonte Graham if NBA has reached out about him being in All-Star Saturday (3-point contest?) Says he hasn’t heard anything.
KC Johnson: LaVine: "I don’t think anyone has won a dunk contest and a 3-point contest. So I’ll try that one out. I would love to.”
Fred Katz: Scott Brooks on how he thinks Davis Bertans would do in the 3-point contest: “I think he wins it. … I think he’s as good of a shooter as I’ve ever been around. … And you know what? He’s probably gonna stay in the night before, as well."
Superman is back. Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard will participate in the Dunk Contest in Chicago at All-Star weekend, league sources told The Athletic. The NBA has received the commitment of the three-time participant (2007-09), one-time Slam Dunk champion and a potential Hall of Famer to revitalize the energy in this year’s competition.
The Lakers plan to take great cautiousness and care of Howard while he participates in the event in Chicago, understanding his critical role on a championship favorite come the postseason, sources said. Howard turned 34 on Dec. 8. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-NBA team member.
Memphis Grizzlies standout rookie Ja Morant has been invited to compete in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend in Chicago next month, league sources told Yahoo Sports. The 6-foot-3 point guard out of Murray State has had some of the most electrifying, jaw-dropping dunks of the season.
But the 20-year-old high-flyer is still mulling over the offer. “It’s something I’m thinking about,” Morant told Yahoo Sports. “I haven’t made a decision yet.”
KC Johnson: Zach LaVine dunk contest update: "Obviously, I feel I’d be more inclined to do it if I’m playing in the game. But I feel like I should do something during All-Star weekend, if it’s the game, 3-point contest, dunk contest, something. I know I still got some dunks left."
Joe Cowley: Zach LaVine Slam Dunk Watch: LaVine admitted to working on a few dunks last month ... and just said his legs feel good.
With the shooting display Robinson has put on this season, a spot in the three-point contest during February’s NBA All-Star Weekend in Chicago could be in his future. “Only just because people keep saying stuff to me about it,” Robinson said when asked if he has thought about the possibility of competing in the three-point contest. “It would be an honor, obviously. I’ve had that in my skill set my whole life. It would pretty surreal to be a part of it. But I try not to get too caught up in that and just focus on making shots and winning games.”
It's been 11 years since Dwight Howard won the NBA Dunk Contest with that insane Superman slam ... and now DH says he's given serious thought to doing it AGAIN!!! "I thought about it. I'm getting my legs back. I feel young again," 33-year-old Howard told us outside The Window burger joint in Venice.
When we asked if entering the 2020 contest was a real possibility, Howard wouldn't commit ... instead telling us his main focus this season in winning an NBA title with the Lakers. "I have thought about it, but winning the championship is the most important thing. I have all the individual accolades but I don't have the trophy so hopefully, we can win this title this year, which I believe we can."
With NBA All-Star Weekend set to return to Chicago this February, Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson tells ESPN he's a "game-time" decision on committing to the dunk contest. "I don't know yet, if I'm being honest, depends on where I'm at," he said. He also called it an honor to play at the United Center for the first time tonight because Michael Jordan "won six rings here." More than three decades have passed since MJ glided from the free-throw line in 1988 to win the slam dunk title in Chicago.
Darnell Mayberry: The Bulls have one early verbal commitment to an All-Star Saturday night event: Denzel Valentine is letting it be known he wants to participate in the 3-point contest in February. Valentine shot 39 percent on 3s in 2017-18.
Roy Parry: Magic forward Aaron Gordon on ESPN's "The Jump": "If I'm healthy, I'm going," in regards to the 2020 slam dunk competition during the All-Star Game weekend in Chicago. Gordon also said he hopes he gets the opportunity.
TMZ Sports spoke to Gordon about whether he'd throw his hat back in the ring for next year's contest -- which LaVine's Chicago Bulls just happen to be hosting -- and he says he's DOWN!! "I think so, it's starting to look like that," Gordon says. "It's really up to the NBA, but we're gonna do it."
I have to ask this because I know fans are curious: Will you compete in the dunk contest again? I know you didn’t enter it this year because you didn’t want to be tired for the second half of the season as you fight for playoff positioning. But will we ever see you in the dunk contest again? Donovan Mitchell: Yes. For sure. I don’t know if it’s going to be next year, I don’t know if it’s going to be the year after that, but I am going to do it again.
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.
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
