Zach LaVine is back to defend his title when the dunk contest comes to Toronto on All-Star Saturday. The Timberwolves guard will compete alongside Pistons center Andre Drummond, Magic forward Aaron Gordon and Nuggets wing Will Barton on February 13 at the Air Canada Centre.
NBA Dunk Contest 2016: Zach LaVine to defend title vs. Andre Drummond, Aaron Gordon, Will Barton
The 20-year-old Timberwolves guard is ready for his encore at the dunk contest.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.
LaVine put on a show last season, outlasting Victor Oladipo to win the contest as a rookie. Now that LaVine is starting to establish himself as a quality player for the Timberwolves in his second season, it will be interesting to see what he has up his sleeve for his return as defending champion.
The dunk contest will have an All-Star in Drummond, who is a reserve for the Eastern Conference. Drummond, listed at 6’11, 280 pounds, will be by far the biggest competitor in the competition.
Drummond has had some huge dunks for the Pistons this season. But can he do it when he’s not in a game setting?
Gordon, who was taken six picks ahead of LaVine in the 2014 draft, is one of the most explosive forwards in the league. Expect some powerful dunks between him and Drummond:
Barton is also enjoying a breakout season this year in Denver, averaging 15.6 points and six rebounds per game. He can get up, too.
Andrew Wiggins will not be part of the dunk contest. The dude sees LaVine throw down every day in practice -- he’s knows what he would be up against. Smart man.
See More:
