Blake Griffin Dunk: Monster Jam Proves Clippers Star Ready to Defend Dunk Title

After winning the NBA slam dunk contest last season, Los Angeles Clippers star forward Blake Griffin cemented himself as perhaps the most emphatic dunker in the league. What he did on Monday night certainly didn't change that.

In the third quarter with the Clippers in control of the contest, Griffin took a back-door pass from point guard Chris Paul and proceeded to challenge Oklahoma City Thunder center Kendrick Perkins. Griffin was met with some resistance, but he essentially threw the ball into the hoop, as can be seen here.

The dunk whipped the crowd into a frenzy and continued to grow Griffin's legend even more. In the flow of the game it probably didn't go through Griffin's mind at all, but that dunk proved that Griffin is the most impressive dunker in the game and that he is certainly ready to defend his crown.

Due to the abbreviated season, the NBA All-Star Game and festivities are under a month away, so it will soon be time for Griffin to start thinking of some ways to destroy the competition. Last year Griffin pulled out all the stops by incorporating a car, so he'll have to come up with something spectacular.

Griffin is unquestionably the best in-game dunker in the NBA, but that doesn't always translate to a dunk contest. Griffin proved that he could mix power and creativity in last year's competition, though, so he is going to be the overwhelming favorite.

His dunk on Monday night was reminiscent of Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard's "Superman" dunk in the dunk contest a few years ago, where he basically threw the ball into the net rather than actually slamming it home.

Even if Griffin isn't as impressive in this year's dunk contest as he was last year, I can't envision him losing. His reputation as a dominant dunk artist continues to grow, so the fans will likely be behind him no matter what he does. That gives him a distinct advantage over whomever he faces.

Perhaps the only man who can stop him is Superman himself in the form of Howard. The 2012 All-Star weekend will be held in Orlando, so Howard will have the hometown support if he decides to compete, provided he hasn't been traded by that point, that is.

Failing that, though, Griffin looks like a sure-fire choice to win his second consecutive dunk contest. The competition had definitely grown stale for a little while, but thanks to Howard, and now Griffin, it is once again one of the most anticipated events of the season.