Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose Should Headline a Point Guard-Only Dunk Competition

Lately, the Slam dunk competition has been anything but competitive. There is no thrill to it. Dwight Howard and Nate Robinson have carried the torch, but the competition has been sub-standard. You knew the winner or had a close idea by the end of the first round if you stuck with it that long.

The last great contest was ten years ago when Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady lost out to Vince Cater in the finals. Carter had a perfect score in the first round, but his cousin McGrady and Francis were not far off. Plus, there was the added air of suspense as McGrady had a reputation of being very athletic.

Vince Carter’s talent went hand-in-hand with dunking like water and coffee and he was the star of the show, but Francis was no bridesmaid. At 6’3” he measured the highest vertical jump (44”) that day but in the end Vinsanity was too much.

At the moment, there are a group of guys completely revolutionising the NBA and their highlights dominate any top ten plays segment. The point guards have taken the NBA by storm and they don’t just roam the perimeter shooting jumpers and passing the ball.

These guys are athletic and would sooner slam the ball than lay it up. Why not have a point guard-only slam dunk competition? They can recapture the suspense, mystery and excitement every good competition needs.

Dwight Howard gave something different when he donned a cape and threw the ball in from about a foot away. Great in slow motion and high definition, but that could easily be marginalised to a strong layup. Most 6’10”-plus guys not named Blake Griffin just do not generally make great dunkers in a slam dunk competition.

Sean Kemp is a legendary dunker. He had a lot of power and creativity in a game but lost out to 6’1” Dee Brown and his pumped up Reeboks in 1991. The previous year, Kemp failed to make the finals where Dominique Wilkins was beaten by 6’3” Kenny Smith.

From 1992 to 1994 Kemp would try is luck again but had to forfeit 1993 due to injuries and even though he made the finals the following year, he lost to Cedric Ceballos’ blindfolded dunk in the finals.

Kemp will always be one of the greatest dunkers, but he highlights the fact that when it comes to creativity and dunking, the guards rule. That’s why 6’2” Fred Jones triumphed over 6’10” Chris Anderson in 2003 and 5’9” Spud Webb over 6’8”Dominique Wilkins in 1986, even though Wilkins was only two points short of a perfect score.

The guards present the, "I can’t believe he just did that factor." If you happen to be a current Detroit Pistons fan, your loyalty knows no boundary, but on the plus side you get to see 6’ Will Bynum put one in with extreme prejudice.

Ever since it began in 1984, only two guys over 6’10” have won the competition: Larry Nance, the inaugural winner, and Dwight Howard, which could easily lead to the conclusion the shorter the player the more exciting the dunks.

Nate Robinson has won the slam dunk competition three times and every time it has a "has to see it to believe it factor." Listed at 5’9”, Robinson’s sky-walking hijinks have made him legendary. Even Dwight Howard seemed resigned to defeat in 2009 when a fan vote via text message gave Robinson the edge.

Who would not want to see Deron Williams, Derrick Rose, John Wall, Will Bynum, Brandon Jennings and Russell Westbrook go head-to-head at the next All-Star weekend? This would also settle the argument of who is the most athletic point guard currently playing.

Except the 720 by the Air Up There, every dunk there is to be done has probably been done already. Therefore, would you prefer to see 7’ JaVale Maghee doing a tomahawk dunk or 6’1 Brandon Jennings? The degree of difficulty has to be a factor here and unless Maghee can do this dunk from the free-throw line, Jennings would most likely get the nod here.

This year the point guards, next year the shooting guards. Dwayne Wade versus Monta Ellis would be a good competion. Or small forwards, LeBron James versus Carmelo Anthony. And if you really want to get technical, how about the combo guards headlined by the LA Lakers Shannon Brown.

Right now everyone wants to see Blake Griffin but after missing last season due to a knee injury it would be acceptable if the Clippers do not allow him to participate so that he may not cause any undue stress to a knee that has to hold up for another 54 games.