Going into the event, Faried had the longest odds to win the event at 15/2. Faried impressed with his first round dunk as he passed himself the ball off of the left hand side of the backboard, between the legs and finished on the opposite side of the rim.

Feb 16, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried (35) dunks during the 2013 NBA All-Star slam dunk contest at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

While the dunk was more impressive than it looked, it wasn’t enough to allow the Manimal to advance.

Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors ended up winning the even after he jumped over a kid in the finals to defeat Jeremy Evans of Utah Jazz.

What this event showed us again is that it’s lacking the star presence that used to make it a must-see event. Now, if you’re home you’ll watch it, but you don’t bother DVRing it.

Instead of being about the actual dunks like it was when Jason Richardson, Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins and Vince Carter took center stage, it’s all about the props now. Ross used a kid and donned a Carter jersey while Evans jumped over a painting. Blake Griffin won the event two years ago when he jumped over a car (sideways).

Instead of the actual art of dunking, it’s turned into the WWE incorporating props into it.

The league desperately needs stars like Griffin, LeBron James, Russell Westbrook, Andre Iguodala and others to save the event.

It not, it’s going to end up being as relevant as the NFL Pro Bowl.

Don’t tell that to Kenneth Faried.

Faried dropped 40 points in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge for Team Chuck en route to their victory. Faried was named the MVP of the contest.

“It feels wonderful. It’s a great feeling with all of those elite guys out there who work just as hard as I do, to rise above them in a respect type of way,” Faried told reporters following the contest. “To win the MVP is an honor.”

Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Team Chuck forward Kenneth Faried (35) of the Denver Nuggets is awarded the MVP trophy for the rising stars challenge during the 2013 NBA All-Star weekend at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Faried was the recipient of multiple alley-oops from his teammates and even gave all his effort to block a dunk by Michael Kidd-Gilchrist.

Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Team Shaq guard/forward Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (14) of the Charlotte Bobcats shoots against Team Chuck forward Kenneth Faried (35) of the Denver Nuggets during the second half of the rising stars challenge during the 2013 NBA All-Star weekend at the Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

“I came out with an intent to put on a performance, but I wasn’t looking for an MVP type performance,” Faried said. “I was looking to have fun and just play the game I love to play.”

One may criticize Faried giving his all in an exhibition contest, but it’s effort that makes him who he is.

“He honestly just has a motor that keeps on ticking,” Denver Nuggets Head Coach George Karl said. “His effort is why he is as good as he is. The scary thing is that he is still developing.”

Faried said dropping 40 points in the game was the first time he reached that milestone.

“I can honestly say that’s the first time I scored 40 points in a game,” Faried said. “I haven’t even hit 30 before. I’m always stuck on 29 or 28 points.”

Feb 15, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; Team Chuck forward Kenneth Faried (35) of the Denver Nuggets dunks against Team Shaq during the second half of the rising stars challenge during the 2013 NBA All-Star weekend at the Toyota Center. Team Chuck won 163-135. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

As the lone representative for the Nuggets, Faried not only put himself on the map, but put his team in the spotlight as well.

If Friday night’s effort was any indication, the Manimal could take off in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest, despite having the odds against him.