NBA Power Rankings: Handicapping the All-Star Slam Dunkers

BoDog has his picks for the NBA Slam Dunk contest, and guess who is favored?

Here's a hint: They're having the contest on his home court.

Still don't know?

Here's another hint: His dad was his high school coach.

Still don't know?

Here's another hint: His name is Blake Griffin.

You should've got that on the first hint.

You won't win much betting on Blake (-225). You put up $225 to get back $325. 

If you bet on any of the other guys and they come through, you might pocket a bit. 

Demar DeRozan replaced Brandon Jennings so we don't know his exact odds, but Jennings was at (+250) meaning $100 gets you $350.

I think DeRozan might even be a better dunker than Jennings. But more on that later.

The other two participants are big guys—JaVale McGee and Serge Ibaka. McGee is at plus + 525 and Ibaka is the dark horse at + 700.

We'll put up videos on all these guy, and then I'll give you the Silliman reasons on what may happen.

Kevin Is Coaching His Buddy: Serge Ibaka

Air Congo! Air Congo!

Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder could finish better than you think.

You might be surprised. He has Griffin elevation. He has big hands, not quite as big as Blake's but serviceable for most dunks.

But his secret weapon is his coach. The Durantula can size it up and break it down. And there's one thing to know about Serge, it is he's very coachable.

His game is efficient with little wasted motion and virtually not one wit of street ball in his game.

Serge Ibaka Part Two

Serge is still the dark horse but represents a good return. If BoDog pays for No. 2, he might be worth a wager.

He is the dark horse because very few have ever seen him do a street ball dunk move—no 360s, no wrap-arounds, no between-the-legs, no jumping over guys.

That's why he's discounted.

Don't discount his coach.

Don't discount his learning curve.

Check out this second video.

You got to give a few points just for his accent. He knows it will be "deef-e-coot."

JaVale McGee Is a Dwight Howard Sized Giant

JaVale McGee: I can't decide whether he reminds me more of Dwight Howard or Tyson Chandler. Both those guys are rim hitters with their foreheads. However McGee seems to have better handles than either. 

That may benefit him.

BoDog has McGee at + 525. Sounds enticing. He's not as explosive as Blake, but he's got ginormously long arms and his top reach may even be higher than Griffin's.

Check out this video.

JaVale Does a Pretty Good MJ Imitation

JaVale could surprise.

In the slam dunk contest, you're not dunking in traffic.

So whatever frailness could beset McGee during game conditions doesn't apply to the dunk contest.

He played his ball in Reno at University of Nevada where we think their might be a few fans there who'd bet on him.

Demar DeRozan Is a Nasty Dunker

DeMar DeRozan is a nasty dunker.

He was best buds with Little Romeo and played for Master P's AAU team.

And he was a highlight film at USC. And, even at 6'7", he's the short guy in this competition. It might work to his advantage as.judges like to see lots of air under the soles.

It didn't hurt Spud or Nate.

And all this time I thought he was some Jewish guy: The "Marty Rosen."

Enjoy a little Billy Jean with this video.

DeMar DeRozan Gets Big Air

There's a reason this guy has won every dunk contest he's ever been in. He's graceful when he flies. He spins and changes hands like a magician.

If the betting odds are anywhere near + 250 on this guy, take a strong look.

The Blakester Has His Work Cut Out

Odds-on favorite, but how many times has the Kentucky Derby winner won the Triple Crown?

Everybody will be betting on Blake, plus he'll have the local crowd helping him get three or four extra inches on his leap.

Will Maya Angelou Do a Poem To Toast Blake's Victory

I keep bringing Maya Angelou in the Blake World. Sorry about that.

I hope his Blakiness doesn't offend you.

It will be beastly. It'll come down to DeRozan's swan versus Griffin's gorilla.

Or maybe maybe McGee's massiveness or Ibaka grabbing the top of the backboard.

There could be some surprises.

That's why you'll watch.

Here's a Video To Whet Your Appetite

Here's one showing highlights from past dunk contests.