Do we know who's in the dunk contest yet this year?

Apollo 33



If you dont know him, you dont know NBA basketball.



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Jan 13, 2008 04:30 AM
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/94566Doug Smith http://www.thestar.com/opinion/columnists/94566
Sports Reporter

This isn't quite the same as finally getting into Grade 7 but it's still got Jamario Moon pumped up.

Moon, who is becoming one of the feel-good stories of not only the Raptors but the entire NBA, has been invited to compete in the dunk contest as part ofnext month's all-star weekend, capping a meteoric rise from minor leaguer to something akin to a cult hero.

And the last time he was so juiced about getting a chance to dunk was 15, 16 years ago.

"My first dunk was actually in the sixth grade," the 27-year-old Moon said yesterday. "I was short, but I could jump. Actually, whenyou're in the sixth grade, you can't play yet. I was anxious for that next year to come so I could get on the court and try to dunk one. It was alittle fingertip dunk, but it still counts."

There will be much more than fingertip dunks Feb. 16 though, when Moon competes against a handful of other players yet to be announced by the NBA. The6-foot-8 forward said he's "got some ideas, but I'm not sharing them with anybody right now. I've probably got a couple you never sawbefore."

Actually, few people had seen anything at all from the native of tiny Goodwater, Ala., before this season, when he burst on the scene after spending sixyears trolling through myriad basketball minor leagues.

No one had any idea if he could play any role at all with the Raptors when he signed as a free agent last summer. But his combination of athleticism and theability to learn from what his coaches hammer home every day has made him not only a regular with the Raptors, but their starting small forward for the last 30games.

"I didn't think Jamario Moon could help us until the second half of the season," coach Sam Mitchell admitted yesterday. "I thought it wasgoing to take 41 games for him to just get used to being in this type of environment. I think it was too quick for him mentally, not necessarily physically,but he's caught up. You can just see, every game it seems like he does something, and he gets a little bit better."

Moon was invited to the dunk contest in a telephone conversation with NBA senior vice-president Stu Jackson on Friday. While he had that night's gameagainst the Knicks on his mind, he had to have spent some time realizing how far he'd come. And what he'd be able to accomplish on all-star weekend inNew Orleans.

"Everybody likes to dunk, everybody who has a dream to play in the NBA and can dunk the basketball always wanted to be in the dunk contest," hesaid. "It's going to be great."

There's a chance Moon will be chosen to play in the rookie-sophomore challenge that's also part of the weekend. He's among the rookie leaders inpoints (8.2), rebounds (6.4), blocked shots (1.7) and minutes (29.3) per game, which should be enough to get him invited.

"I'm going to get my rest regardless," he said.

"I always get my rest. I'm not the type to hang out and party, and try to go sightseeing or whatever. I'm always in my room with my videogames."

Moon becomes the first Raptor to take part in the dunk contest since Vince Carter won it in 2000, beating a field that included Toronto teammate TracyMcGrady. Moon was at home, watching that one.

"He had some of the craziest dunks, man," Moon said of Carter. "I hope I can go to the dunk contest and beat some of his dunks. I know if Ibeat some of his dunks, I can bring the trophy back to Toronto."



This news alone will make me watch the dunk contest. I never heard of him until 3 days ago when the raptors played the knicks and i was overly impressedwith his play, dude is sick. check out some if his vids on youtube dude might as well say he's Scottie Pippens son cuz he's built and plays just likehim
 
^ have you ever seen him play!?
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I dont think he is going to be that great in the Dunk Contest, but to say he is not athletic? Blasphemy.

Dude has great in game dunks, but i dont know what he can come up with for the dunk contest.
 
Originally Posted by J RAIN 23

p.s. am i the only one that thinks 3 point shootout > slam dunk contest?

�no, i feel the same way.

and i hope nick young is invited in the dunk contest.



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"I always get my rest. I'm not the type to hang out and party, and try to go sightseeing or whatever. I'm always in my room with my video games."
word to Dwight?
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I used to watch this guy during summers on the D League and in summer ball and he's got a more polished skill set now, but he could sky from what iremember a few summers ago. I haven't seen enough of him recently but does he still have that explosiveness? I could see him pulling off some nicewindmills and I'd say he'll have a Jamie Watson-type showing...a nice dunk or two but not a winnable arsenal.
 
We will see, if he comes out creative he could easily win. It is obvious he can fly.
 
Here's an excerpt from an interview I did with Gerald Green when we were at Rbk in Boston...

Hoyle: I understand this year you're hoping to defend and got some tricks ready?

Gerald:The 540 is a dunk I'm trying to do, that I'm gonna try and open up with! It's never been done before. I've hit it a couple times, but I'm not really sure if I can get it on a consistent basis. I'm doing it off vertical though!

Hoyle: Hold up. Vertical?

Gerald: Yeah, I'm excited to defend, and maybe make history. I can be the first player to win on two teams.


And since it's in the latest issue...I'll just go ahead and leak here the shoe he'll be wearing. "Twice as Nice" along the heel. (I thinkthey're sick)

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Aside from Nick Young and Gay I wanna see Rod Carney and my dude Hakim Warrick in there again.

Edit: Those reeboks aren't bad...what does he mean by "off vertical"?
 
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