On Saturday night, the NBA's All-Star Weekend continues with the Slam Dunk Contest (8 p.m. Eastern on TNT). Many will tune in to witness the spectacle that is Blake Griffin, but the Clipper faces plenty of competition in the Wizards' JaVale McGee, the Thunder's Serge Ibaka, and the Raptors' DeMar DeRozan.
Slam Dunk Contest 2011: History, Contestants, And More
This will be the NBA’s 26th dunk contest. It has been held every year since 1984 with the exception of 1998 and 1999, when a lockout squeezed it out of the schedule. Here are all of the previous winners:
2010 – Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
2009 – Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
2008 – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
2007 – Gerald Green, Boston Celtics
2006 – Nate Robinson, New York Knicks
2005 – Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks
2004 – Fred Jones, Indiana Pacers
2003 – Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
2002 – Jason Richardson, Golden State Warriors
2001 – Desmond Mason, Seattle SuperSonics
2000 – Vince Carter, Toronto Raptors
1999 – no contest held
1998 – no contest held
1997 – Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers
1996 – Brent Barry, Los Angeles Clippers
1995 – Harold Miner, Miami Heat
1994 – Isaiah Rider, Minnesota Timberwolves
1993 – Harold Miner, Miami Heat
1992 – Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix Suns
1991 – Dee Brown, Boston Celtics
1990 – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
1989 – Kenny Walker, New York Knicks
1988 – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
1987 – Michael Jordan, Chicago Bulls
1986 – Spud Webb, Atlanta Hawks
1985 – Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Hawks
1984 – Larry Nance, Phoenix Suns
As you can see, the field of competition is normally made up of young players or non-superstars. Blake Griffin is arguably the most exciting contestant to enter the Slam Dunk Contest in years. Throughout the day, be sure to check back with this StoryStream, where we’ll be posting highlight reels of each of tonight’s competitors.
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