The NBA has announced the participants for the Three-Point Shootout, Skills Challenge, and Slam Dunk Contest set to take place the night before the 2018 NBA All-Star Game in Los Angeles.
The Three-Point Shootout will include Wayne Ellington (Heat), Bradley Beal (Wizards), Devin Booker (Suns), Paul George (Thunder), Eric Gordon (Rockets), Tobias Harris (Clippers), Kyle Lowry (Raptors) and Klay Thompson (Warriors). Thompson (2016) and Gordon (2017) have won the competition the past two years.
In the Skills Challenge, the contestants include Jamal Murray (Nuggets), Kristaps Porzingis (Knicks), Joel Embiid (76ers), Al Horford (Celtics), Spencer Dinwiddie (Nets), Lauri Markkanen (Bulls), Donovan Mitchell (Jazz), and Lou Williams (Clippers). This lineup includes three 2018 All-Stars with Porzingis (the defending Skills champion), Emiid, and Horford. The field also includes two rookies with Markkanen and Mitchell.
Finally, the Dunk Contest features Aaron Gordon (Magic), Victor Oladipo (Pacers), Larry Nance Jr. (Lakers) and Dennis Smith Jr. (Mavericks). Gordon is going for his first Dunk Contest victory in his third attempt. Oladipo competed in the 2015 Dunk Contest; Nance will follow in his father’s footsteps to compete in the event; Smith, a rookie, is entering his first.
Would’ve liked to see Steph in the 3 pt contest but I guess shooting from the 3 pt line is too close for him.
Booker Gordon Horford are my picks
The 3-point contest and dunk contest are severely lacking in real, premiere talent. Although, with that being said, there are still some up and coming players in both contests. Booker is my pick to win the 3-point contest, even though, I think Thompson has to be a favorite to win..My second choice would be the “darkhorse” in Wayne Ellington.
For the Dunk contest, it’s all about gimics as much as it is about real dunking abilities. With that being said, Smith is a young, creative guy, aND I believe he should be able to put on a show. I, personally, think Nance Jr. is the best in-game dunker in the NBA going today, but it’ll be interesting to see what he can come up with. He’s certainly got the vertical to jump over quite a few things, although it’s anyone’s guess what these guys may use as props to win this contest…
The winning dunk may be Nance Jr. doing something ridiculous by leaping a step or two inside the free throw line, over 3 people and a tall player, and getting two balls dropped from two drones at the same time, and he simultaneously catches and dunks both balls one right after another…lol haha…I’d certainly give him a 10 for creativity..
The skills competition definitely has the most intriguing mixture of talent with the inclusion of young and talented Bigs like Embiid, Porzingis, and Markkanen, and young guards like Murray and Mitchell..
I, personally, wanted to see Mitchell and Embiid in the Dunk Contest and see Markkanen in the 3-point contest…but it is what it is..
Embiid in the dunk contest? No thanks
This could be the rough dunk contest lineup for the next half decade with Lavine back in the mix if he can get healthy and return to form.
I wish they would allow the fans to vote on who competes for these contests, it would definitely add ALOT of attention and intrigue and increase the ratings for the NBA’s ALL-STAR festivities…Also, unless injured, participation should be mandatory for each player that’s voted in. Although, I’m sure you’d still have a guy like LeBron say, he’s “too hurt to fully participate.” Idk, what do you other guys think about having the fans vote for these game’s participants??
Heck, I still think someone should bring back the old MTV’s Rock n Jock game!! I used to LOVE watching those games back in the day!!
As an individual, I would not like being mandated by strangers to do something I don’t want to do.
That’s a GREAT dunk contest lineup. Smith will be doing some crazy crap to impress, Gordon is a champion, Nance can jump out of the gym and wow with power dunks, and Oladipo is exploding with confidence so he’ll be soaking up the spotlight.
I’m going with Klay, Mitchell and Nance.
Curry stopped doing the 3 point contest to give others a chance. In his words, everyone knows he’s the best.
He’s arguably not even the best 3 point shooter on his own team. He is, however, by far the best at consistently making horrible shots.
Please go on. Tell us more..
Lmao that comment can’t be real
“Gordon is going for his third Dunk Contest victory”.
Aaron Gordon has never won the Slam Dunk Contest. He was robbed in 2016 and lost to Glen Robinson III last year.
Yep, fixed the wording on that, thanks.