NBA All-Star Weekend: Dunk Contest Needs Better Talent

To say that Saturday night's dunk competition underwhelmed is an understatement. It stunk. It wasn't enjoyable. It wasn't original.

Apparently we all missed the memo that dunking over an object automatically made it a sick dunk. That's far from the truth. Dunking over the hood of a car is one thing. But dunking over the 5'10" Sean Combs or the 5-foot Kevin Hart aren't overly impressive.

Dunking over a motorcycle? Please. That's shorter than Hart.

Last year Blake Griffin bailed out the dunk contest with a display of creativity and athleticism the competition has missed since Dwight Howard competed in 2008.

The NBA needs its stars, or at least the league's best dunkers, in this All-Star Weekend event. It needs to bring its sexy back because after last night, the only thing people remember was that they turned off the television or left the arena disappointed. 

Having any four of these 12 athletes in the dunk competition would be a win for the NBA.

1. LeBron James

This is the player everyone's clamored to see since he entered the NBA in 2003. People want LeBron James to partake in the slam dunk competition.

Love him. Hate him. Have no feelings on him. One thing all people agree on is that James would make the dunk contest MUST-SEE television.

We have yet to have the pleasure of James in a dunk competition, but his natural athleticism paired with his sheer power is a combination that could create the best showing in the dunk contest's 28-year history.

2. Blake Griffin

In 2011 Blake Griffin captivated fans at the dunk contest. He stole the show. 

To say fans were disappointed when Griffin opted not to compete in 2012 is an understatement. We've seen his creativity at work in games and in one dunk contest.

All that has done is left fans wanting more.

Come back, Blake. The NBA needs you to save its dunk competition.

3. Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard is one player on this list who will probably be at the dunk contest every year because he'll already be a participant in All-Star Weekend. He is the best center in the NBA and is an amazing dunker.

His creativity is off the charts, and so is his athleticism. Watching the above highlights makes me sick to my stomach over what we witnessed Saturday night.

Howard is a fun-loving player whose personality adds a dimension of entertainment to the competition. Combine that with his ability to dunk, and you have a player that fans would be lucky to have in the competition.

4. Dwyane Wade

Outside of LeBron James the former Marquette guard is the one player that fans have wanted to see in the dunk contest.

Dwyane Wade is a natural athlete whose grace and power would succeed in the competition.

We've gotten glimpses of Wade's creativity as a dunker in the open court. It's impressive. But imagine what he could do if he took the time to plan his move.

Kevin Durant

The "Durantula" needs to partake in a dunk contest. He has to be one of the most awkwardly shaped players in the game. He is one of the longest players in the game, which gives him an edge when it comes to performing spectacular dunks. He can dunk the basketball from further away than most.

When he's in the air and he's ready to throw it down, that's an exciting time for all NBA fans (unless Durant's playing your team). He is a strong finisher around the rim, and given the opportunity to showcase his creativity at the dunk contest, I know he would be a success.

Derrick Rose

Derrick Rose is the best point guard in the NBA. People want to see him. People want to see him dunk.

For being a "smaller" player (6'3" and 190 pounds), Rose can pack a punch around the rim. He's great at finishing alley-oops and can get up with the best.

He's shown flair dunking in games—now let's see him bring his talents to the dunk contest.

Russell Westbrook

Quick. Explosive. Powerful.

That's what comes to mind when I think of Russell Westbrook getting to and finishing at the rim. The third-year player has made a name for himself quickly and is an exciting dunker.

He doesn't compare to some players at the top of this list (LeBron James, Blake Griffin, etc.) but he would provide fine entertainment for the dunk contest. I know he could do a lot better than the four that performed for the world Saturday night.

Josh Smith

Josh Smith has already done his duty. He participated in the 2005 slam dunk contest and left victorious. The then-19-year-old Smith was the youngest player to win the competition.

Since then, Smith has been on the other end of many a high-flying alley-oop. He's also been the thunder rattling many NBA rims.

Smith wouldn't be the highest demanded player on this list, but fans recognize his abilities to dunk. They have seen his skills on display during his seven-year career and would like to see them again in the dunk competition.

J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith is back. The latest addition to the New York Knicks would make a great addition to the dunk competition.

If you haven't seen it before, you must check out his dunk against the San Antonio Spurs last season. If that play doesn't make you believe Smith has the ability to star in the dunk contest, then I don't know what will.

Smith has always had natural athleticism that has made scouts and coaches go bananas—now it's time for him to strut his stuff for the fans.

DeAndre Jordan

When fans think of the Los Angeles Clippers and dunks, they typically think of Blake Griffin. But DeAndre Jordan is one of the league's most unheralded dunkers. The man has skills. 

Jordan has the athleticism and power that should get fans salivating over his prospects in the dunk competition.

He's not the sexiest name, but he'll put on a show that would get the people going.

Andre Igoudala

In 2006 Andre Iguodala impressed judges and fans with his dunks. He fell short to Nate Robinson in the finals, but he left his mark.

We've seen him progress in the six years since then. He's a guy that can entertain fans in a dunk competition. We already know that.

If you can get him back, then make it happen.

Rudy Gay

Rudy Gay is another player on this list who has already participated in a dunk contest. That was in 2008. At that point, Gay was a sophomore in the league still trying to find his way.

Now Gay is a five-year veteran and is really coming into his own as a player. Gay had some flashy dunks in 2008, but I want to see what he would do now as a veteran.

He's proven himself to be an athletic, high-flying dunker in games. Now let's see it again the dunk contest.