NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2012: Breaking Down Odds for Each Participant

The Slam Dunk Contest is the highlight of NBA All-Star weekend for many fans of rim-rattling, superhuman, freakishly athletic displays of dunk artistry.

That will be no different in 2012, as a league source has leaked the participants of this year’s contest to ESPN’s Marc Stein.

According to the report, Iman Shumpert, Chase Budinger, Paul George and Derrick Williams will be the four players duking it out for the prestigious title of Slam Dunk Champion.

Unfortunately, Blake Griffin will not be defending his crown, but there is some good news.

There’s going to be a “surprise” appearance by the hottest name in the NBA right now.

That’s right, Jeremy Lin is involved in the 2012 Slam Dunk Contest.

Keep reading to find out how Linsanity is getting involved and for a break down of each competitor's chances to win.

*Fictional Odds Set by Yours Truly

Chase Budinger

The Houston Rockets 6’7” small forward has always been a leaper.

In high school, he was a standout volleyball player and a runner-up to Gerald Henderson in the 2006 McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest.

Chase became known for his ability to play above the rim during his time with the Arizona Wildcats, too.

Unfortunately, the lack of creativity he has shown at the professional level and at the 2006 high school dunk competition is startling.

In that dunk contest, he only put down a standard one-handed jam, a windmill and a between-the-legs flush.

Budinger is also one of the least known players in the contest and will have to come up with some insane moves to pull out an upset victory.

Odds: 12:1 

Derrick Williams

The other Arizona alumni participating in the dunk contest has never been a flashy finisher.

However, he can flat out fly.

Check out the video in which he has a clear path to the basket off the feed by J.J. Barea.

All Williams does is jump up and finish with one hand. Boring.

He’s going to have to pair that leaping ability with some more interesting maneuvers if he wants to bring home some hardware.

Odds: 10:1

Paul George

The most ridiculous fact about Paul George is that he can play shooting guard despite the fact that he’s grown to 6’10”.

George is an incredible talent and plays the game like a little guy despite his towering height.

This is going to give him an advantage in the dunk contest as he propels his huge frame through the air and pulls off acrobatic moves.

If it weren’t for this next guy, he’d be the favorite.

Odds: 6:1

Iman Shumpert

You’d be insane to bet against Shumpert to win this contest now that he has Jeremy Lin on his side.

Blake Griffin won this contest in 2011 because then-teammate Baron Davis “assisted” him by throwing an alley-oop out of a car while Blake leaped over it. 

You can bet Shumpert has a similar stunt up his sleeve that involves arguably the most popular basketball player in the world right now.

This combo is comparable to Steve Nash and Amar'e Stoudemire's pairing back in 2005, when Amar'e pretty much coasted through the thing because of his PG's incredible passing ability and fan fare. 

Plus, Shumpert, for all the faults in his raw game, is an incredible athlete who can simply finish.

For example, with a minute left in a tight game against the Raptors on Tuesday night, Shumpert put on a little show when flushing it down.

With his ability to please a crowd and Lin on his side, there’s no way Iman loses.

Odds: 2:1