2015 Slam Dunk Contest Participants: Format and Predictions for Spectacle

The birth of Vinsanity. The Blake Griffin car prop. Dwight Howard's Superman cape. Michael Jordan's flight past Dominique Wilkins.

When one thinks about the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest, some of the most memorable moments in any sport's history comes to mind. 

It's not really an exaggeration. In a nutshell, the contest is just guys in gym shorts jumping around in a gymnasium. But the contest has deep roots and a proven track record of helping to craft new stars into the sport's timeline.

This year, the event is more exciting than most others are because all four contestants are newbies who want to seize the moment—and will do so in a traditional format, per NBA.com.

Where: Barclays Center; Brooklyn, New York

When: Saturday, Feb. 14

Start Time: 8:30 p.m. ET

Watch: TNT

The Participants

Zach LaVine, Minnesota Timberwolves 

The globe is not quite fully aware of 19-year-old Zach LaVine just yet, but it will be after Saturday's contest.

LaVine comes in at 6'5" and 183 pounds, the sort of lanky, freakishly athletic player who puts it all to good use when it comes time to steal the show, as the video above showcases.

Really, he's already put on a show during All-Star Weekend, much to the dismay of the Cleveland Cavaliers' mascot:

LaVine is the owner of quite a bright future. He already averages a 7.6/3.2/2.1 slash line on just 21.7 minutes. While he may not win the contest outright, Saturday is a chance for the globe to meet the UCLA product.

Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets

Mason Plumlee, the guy who continues to make Brook Lopez something of a non-factor and trade candidate, is perhaps Saturday's most underrated participant.

It's fair, really. The Duke product is not a household name, which means most hear he is a center and think he is a clumsy defender more than a Griffin-esque monstrosity who can put on a show.

Which he is. Both.

At 6'11" and 235 pounds with elite athleticism, Plumlee is in the contest for good reason. He averages 10.3/7.0/1.0 and touts obvious upside that the Brooklyn Nets can build around, but right now, the team is so bad that his highlight-reel plays are more notable than his jarring stats.

This will prove true Saturday, too. Plumlee plays the underdog well and might just steal some hardware for his efforts.

Victor Oladipo, Orlando Magic

Call Victor Oladipo a silent assassin.

The Indiana product is a bit lost on a horrific Orlando Magic team right now, but defenders around the league understand that he is one of the most dangerous slashers in the game.

Oladipo's ability to finish at the rim with explosiveness is the reason he's in Saturday's event.

As NBA on TNT captures, Oladipo sounds as if he has some, well, nice things in store for the showdown:

Oladipo continues to mold himself into the franchise player the Magic drafted him to be, as noted by a 16.6/3.8/4.1 line.

Saturday, though, Oladipo is a strong candidate to help usher in a new era of stars.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks

One of the main reasons the Milwaukee Bucks are relevant, Giannis Antetokounmpo takes the stage alone Saturday night and might just win the whole thing.

At 20 years old, Antetokounmpo uses his ridiculous 6'11", 217-pound frame in a variety of ways, as The Cauldron helps to capture:

It also helps him to shoot 50 percent from the field and average 12 points per game, but that is neither here nor there—this is about dunks.

As the video shows, Antetokounmpo does plenty of that and with style, creativity and emphasis.

The "wow" factor that comes along with seeing the Greek Freak go to work creates plenty of awe. So long as the creativity outclasses his peers, Antetokounmpo stands a strong chance to seize the trophy.

Prediction

Elsa/Getty Images

There are no true losers at the dunk contest, as the podium acts as a strong way for each contestant to expand their name globally with fans. 

When push comes to shove, the award usually goes to the player who is not only the most creative in his execution but who shows the most fire.

It's there that Oladipo appears to be unmatched.

The early returns, as Fox Sports Live illustrates, are promising: 

"

This is going to be fun. RT @NBAAllStar: Lefty SLAM from @VicOladipo before #BBVACompassRisingStars on TNT! https://t.co/kooMUpkcED

— FOX Sports Live (@FOXSportsLive) February 14, 2015"

It also helps that his intentions at the event go above and beyond the game of basketball:

Regardless of the outcome, the NBA and its fans win Saturday. 

Betting folks, though, may want to look Oladipo's way. He's a great story, one of the league's most explosive players and brings a fire to a fading event that may be just what the league needs.

All stats and info via ESPN .com unless otherwise specified.