After a brilliant showing in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, the Denver Nuggets Kenneth Faried was hoping to go two-for-two in All-Star events. He took home the MVP in the Rising Stars Challenge, but could he take home the Sprite Slam Dunk trophy as well?
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.