NBA All-Star Game 2012: 7 Bold Predictions for Sprite Slam Dunk Contest

The All-Star weekend has truly turned into a spectacle for fans all around the world. I mean, at what other point are you going to be able to see the best NBA talent in one spot like in this famed weekend?

However, the number one attention grabber? The Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

This exhibition captivates all as overgrown men fly through the air with awesome displays of power and athleticism while incorporating insane amounts of creativity and inventiveness.

What surprises will fans be in store for this year?

Here are 7 bold predictions for the 2012 Dunk-A-Thon...

7. Jeremy Evans Will Become a Household Name

How many of you have actually heard of Jeremy Evans?

For those of you who haven't, Evans is a reserve Forward on the Utah Jazz. The former Western Kentucky Hilltopper only averages 6.0 minutes per game.

Even with limited minutes out on the floor, Evans excites the Jazz crowd with his jaw-dropping athleticism. At 6'9", he displays great leaping ability and quickness off of the floor. In essence, he's a human pogo stick.

The Jazz are heavily pushing for the inclusion of Evans into the dunk contest this year. If he's included, Evans will be a known commodity around basketball circles.

6. Paul George Will Delight

Indiana Pacers Forward Paul George has established himself as one of the best up and coming young players in the league today.

At 6'8", he's a silky smooth outside shooter that lights up the three-point line with regularity. But aside from his shooting prowess, he's an absolutely explosive dunker.

There have been multiple occasions this season where George has put his foot on the gas pedal and has flushed the ball down in traffic with authority.

He's openly pining for a spot in the contest, and even admits that he'd "one up" Blake Griffin and do something "that beats jumping over the hood of a Kia."

5. A Rookie Will Not Win the Contest

In terms of dunkers in this rookie class, it's relatively light.

The only three I can see making a potential run would be Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Derrick Williams, and New York Knicks guard Iman Shumpert.

Shumpert has impressed with his short time in New York, whereas Faried has been getting minimal minutes for Denver. Williams started out the season relatively slow, but has since picked up his production.

All three players have the potential to one day participate in the event, but I just don't see it happening this year.

Out of the three, I'd have to say Williams is the best dunker.

4. LeBron James Will Not Participate

LeBron James will not be in the 2012 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, or in any future dunk contest. Book it.

There's no doubt James is magnificent dunker. He utilizes awesome power with his dunks, perhaps more so than any other player in the league and his combination of size and speed perhaps has never been seen in the NBA before.

With that said, James won't compete against the best dunkers in a competition.

Why you ask?

It's simple, he doesn't want to lose and be embarrassed. He cares too much about what people think and as a result we won't ever be able to see his excellence pitted against the likes of other great dunkers.

The notion of LeBron's sensitivity is why he'll never be considered to be as revered as someone like Kobe Bryant. Kobe has a "killer" instinct when playing out on the court, but he also doesn't care what anyone else thinks.

LeBron, on the other hand, has a massive ego that needs to be stroked. Why else, for example would he confiscate the tape of Jordan Crawford dunking on him if he didn't care?

That level of self-awareness is what's holding him back in regards to not only participating in a dunk contest, but also in taking the next step as one of the best to ever play the game of basketball.

3. A Tribute to the Past

I do believe that there will be a dunker attempting to emulate the greats of yesteryear with a tribute effort.

Three dunks that I believe will be attempted at one point during the 2012 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest:

Dunking from the free throw line

Attempting the no-look dunk

A participant dunking over a pedestrian (although this wasn't in a dunk contest, I couldn't leave it out).

2. A Big Man Will Win the 2012 Dunk Contest

Here is an absolute: A player at least 6'10" will win this year's dunk contest.

The three with the best shot at doing it? Clippers Center DeAndre Jordan, Thunder Center Serge Ibaka, and Wizards Center JaVale McGee.

McGee has an incredibly impressive debut last year, finishing with a respectable second place finish to Blake Griffin. He'll most certainly want to atone for last year's runner-up status and take home the win this year.

Ibaka also participated in last year's event, and performed admirably. He'll look to make a possible leap to the finals this year (if he's selected).

While both Ibaka and McGee are worth adversaries, Jordan will ultimately be the 2012 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest winner.

A member of "Lob City", Jordan has been phenomenal this season. If there's one word to describe his dunks, it'd be "ferocious". He dunks the ball with such great force and power on a nightly basis.

Jordan's combination of height, athleticism, and power make him a potential superstar dunker.

He's also has accumulated the 4th most dunks in the NBA up to this point.

1. The Dunk Contest Will Feature...

Dwight Howard

Blake Griffin

LeBron James

Russell Westbrook

Hey, a guy can dream right?