Blake Griffin Still Entertaining, But How Much Longer Can Dunk Contest Be Fun?

I am no different that millions of fans around the world that love slam dunk contests, especially the NBA’s annual attraction during All-Star Weekend.

Who doesn’t like the suspenseful feeling in waiting to see which player is going to come up with a new idea and make a specific type of dunk to make it their trademark?

Saturday night Blake Griffin, JaVale McGee, DeMar DeRozan and Serge Ibaka provided fans with yet another array of incredible dunks.

Certainly it appears that those who participate in the slam dunk contest get better every year.

But the NBA’s dunk contest, which started in 1984, appears to be something that could or should be coming to an end. It will take just one serious injury to end it all.

Having seen the level of difficulty all four participants used in 2011, one has to wonder what hasn’t been attempted yet.

The degree of difficulty has gone over the edge now. Some of the dunks now are simply dangerous.

Blake Griffin picking up a bruise on his arm to attempt a dunk is a testament to why the level of creativity needs to be curbed. And of course that wasn’t even his most dangerous dunk, which was jumping over a car.

If Griffin would have failed to make it over the car, he risked serious injury to himself, let alone his basketball career. Nobody would have been laughing had that happened. These players owe an obligation to their respective clubs, teammates and fans to remain in their best condition. Plus, with millions watching around the world, these ideas are being passed down to people who believe they too can fly.

Nobody wants to see the dunk contest end, but seeing an injury occur over something that could have been avoided is enough to pull the plug. The NBA needs to set some kind of standards to the contest need so it remains fun but not dangerous. If not, it will remain a ticking time bomb.