Anthony Edwards, Jaylen Brown, and Miles Bridges turned down dunk contest

[url]https://sports.yahoo.com/how-zion-williamson-can-provided-a-necessary-jolt-leading-up-to-sundays-all-star-game-174843965.html?ncid=twitter_yahoosport_dw14wrbb51g[/url]

[QUOTE=tjforce;17061063]Dude... I had totally forgotten they had a new coach.

Forever solid team that just can't get over the top.[/QUOTE]

I'm trying to hold out hope. TJ Warren and Caris Levert will be huge to get back.

Lame

[url]https://twitter.com/ChrisBHaynes/status/1366844598048333825?s=20[/url]

Thank goodness he skipped it. Whew.

No Miles Bridges, no Zion, no Anthony Edwards, no Jaylen Brown. Obi is the only semi-known name. What happened to players wanting to participate in the dunk contest, wanting to show what they've got?

Sounds like Zion doesn't want to get embarrassed, pulling a Bron here.

I just think the cons definitely outweigh the pros of joining that event. For lesser players though, this could be the highlight (no pun) of their careers. It no longer carries the same prestige of being a Dunk Champion. Nowadays, it's more of a meme.


I can't remember the last time they had a high profile player join that, and for good reason. It's more of a brand protection thing as well IMO.

The pros - iconic moment that defines your career. The hype that comes with a strong performance, the joy of putting on a show.

The cons ...........................

Donovan Mitchell won in 2018.

Cons would be more scrutiny losing to CJ MCCollum;s replacement or Cassius Stanley. Zion's best dunk is between the legs and that has been done too many times. We've also seen him attempt that during last year's All Star weekend and wasn't able to connect in any of them.


Zion is more likely to get the best highlights in the All Star game with lobs from his fellow All Stars, anyway. My 02 cents of course.

Athletic went deep on the LLoyd Pierce era. Scathing.

[QUOTE=brothertona;17061748]The pros - iconic moment that defines your career. The hype that comes with a strong performance, the joy of putting on a show.

The cons ...........................[/QUOTE]


We have to admit that it used to be a right of passage for stars but these players believe they've already arrived and have no evidence to dispute that. They would rather sit on the sidelines making the predictable oooh faces.

I would say just scrap the thing

Agreed, it sucks.

Brown has had tendinitis in his knee and the team actually sat him this past game so it’s good that he skipped the dunk contest. He & Tatum really need the rest but with Brown’s first appearance and Tatum’s first start they’d never sit this weekend.

Anybody else kind of excited for this Nuggets vs. Bucks game tonight?

Sucks that it's not on TNT, but I'll be watching on League Pass.

[QUOTE=Dame;17061892]Athletic went deep on the LLoyd Pierce era. Scathing.[/QUOTE]
A lot of pressure on Trae to win now. Two possibilities here based on that article. Pierce was a terrible coach who couldn't get the best out of his players. Or the team is young, very immature, and forced a coach out when the problem lies within themselves.

We're never going to see another number 1 pick enter the dunk contest thanks to LeWeave setting the precedent. Far too much risk involved and probably a lot of pressure from team execs to protect their 5+ year franchise outlook. It sucks, but it is what it is. You look at the recent history of the contest and the best you'll get are 'on the fringe' breakout players like a (then) rookie year Mitchell or Lavine.


Besides, I don't think Zion's style suits a dunk contest well. He's a fridge that can dunk from the free throw line, but he's more like Griffin (who still would have won it by dunking over a toddler) and is more an in-game dunker than creative exhibition type.


Just invite Kilganon and T-dub already and make the contest halfway watchable. Especially now that Gordon probably won't ever show his face after being cucked by celebrity judges who're better suited for a masked singer audition.


I'd be somewhat interested in seeing Edwards in there after what he did to the entire continent of Asia. Boi got bunnies.

Can someone explain the “risk” of the dunk contest to me? I’ve watched every single dunk contest for the past 30 years and honestly I can’t figure out where all this talk of risk is coming from. Nobody’s ever gotten injured. I guess the biggest risk is that your dunks aren’t good and you look stupid? Is that what people are scared of now? Or is it just that entering in the dunk contest doesn’t do anything to positively impact your career even if you win?

Today's stars want the ability to say they're hot sh.. without the fear of someone calling them out on it. Unfortunately it started with Bron. At least Steph doesn't have it, he ligns up and does the 3pt contest every year. MJ, Vince, Nique, Blake, Dwight, Kobe knew that someone was liable to check you and wanted to leave no doubt. They are afraid they'll get embarrassed out there. It sucks, but what can you do.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[QUOTE=bigjbasketball;17062558]Can someone explain the “risk” of the dunk contest to me? I’ve watched every single dunk contest for the past 30 years and honestly I can’t figure out where all this talk of risk is coming from. Nobody’s ever gotten injured. I guess the biggest risk is that your dunks aren’t good and you look stupid? Is that what people are scared of now? Or is it just that entering in the dunk contest doesn’t do anything to positively impact your career even if you win?[/QUOTE]

Probably not an exceptional risk in the way you or I would see it. But you're talking about players going out of their typical comfort zones to attempt dunks that they wouldn't typically perform on a daily basis in a layup line or practice. And multiple over the course of a 30 minute period.

It gets further compounded by players also being in the all-star game the ensuing day. When's the last time we had an all-star (not rising stars) be in the dunk contest the same weekend? I may be missing one in the past 5 years.

Execs are looking at these guys like antique ferraris. There's virtually zero risk in a 3 point contest because of the mechanics involved...but that 0.0003% risk at a dunk contest makes a director of basketball operations' grapenuts retract back into his cervix.

I could be wrong, but I highly doubt this decision was JUST Zion's.

[QUOTE=ninjacookies;17062594]Probably not an exceptional risk in the way you or I would see it. But you're talking about players going out of their typical comfort zones to attempt dunks that they wouldn't typically perform on a daily basis in a layup line or practice. And multiple over the course of a 30 minute period.

It gets further compounded by players also being in the all-star game the ensuing day. When's the last time we had an all-star (not rising stars) be in the dunk contest the same weekend? I may be missing one in the past 5 years.

Execs are looking at these guys like antique ferraris. There's virtually zero risk in a 3 point contest because of the mechanics involved...but that 0.0003% risk at a dunk contest makes a director of basketball operations' grapenuts retract back into his cervix.

I could be wrong, but I highly doubt this decision was JUST Zion's.[/QUOTE]

Makes sense. I definitely agree with your last point too, I’m sure this was a front office decision more than it was his decision. I’m sure Zion would have had fun in a dunk contest, but I bet he got the word it was a no-go from team brass. At least we’ll get to hopefully see him throw down a few highlight dunks in the ASG.

[QUOTE=bigjbasketball;17062790]Makes sense. I definitely agree with your last point too, I’m sure this was a front office decision more than it was his decision. I’m sure Zion would have had fun in a dunk contest, but I bet he got the word it was a no-go from team brass. At least we’ll get to hopefully see him throw down a few highlight dunks in the ASG.[/QUOTE]

Really was hoping to see Edwards in there. But looks like even he might have a hard time getting the suits to sign off on his parent permission form.

I honestly don't see the point why anyone would want to see Zion in this years Slam Dunk event anyway.


You want to reserve this kind of moment in front of thousands in attendance. Not 3 dozen.

Rarely agree with Darren Rovell but yeah this is sad. 3 players in the dunk contest. Obi, Anfernee and Cassius Stanley.

[url]https://twitter.com/darrenrovell/status/1366911687429881860?s=20[/url]

[QUOTE=KhalDrogo;17062453]A lot of pressure on Trae to win now. Two possibilities here based on that article. Pierce was a terrible coach who couldn't get the best out of his players. Or the team is young, very immature, and forced a coach out when the problem lies within themselves.[/QUOTE]

Good chance both are accurate.