LaMarcus Aldridge will represent Portland in the 2012 NBA All-Star Game. He’ll be the only Blazer joining the festivities.
That’s a shame.
The NBA released its dunk contest lineup this week. The contest features four first-timers: Houston’s Chase Budinger, Indiana’s Paul George, New York’s Iman Shumpert and Minnesota’s Derrick Williams.
Not the most intriguing lineup of all time.
Portland hasn’t had much of a presence in the dunk contest in recent years. Rudy Fernandez was there in 2009. He eventually got down one sensational dunk, but it took him way too many tries. I suppose that’s what he gets for depending on a Laker to toss him lobs.
It would be foolish to think Portland is a top priority for NBA-wide exhibitions. But Chase Budinger?
Elliot Williams would be a far more exciting option.
The only way Budinger deserves to be in this competition is if he was doing what his Houston predecessor Kenny Smith did in 1993 and competing in the 3-point shootout too.
But he’s not.
Elliot Williams isn’t the most well-known guy in the NBA. The guy has spent a lot of time on the bench.
But that’s what competitions like this are for.
Who would know Craig Hodges’ name if it wasn’t for the 3-point shootout?
Williams can dunk. The guy knows how to please fans. During Portland’s FanFest in December, he went between his legs for a dunk on a fast break. That’s not the only trick he’s got up his sleeve. Back in the 2008 McDonald’s All-American game he came through with a bevy of backboard-rattling slams.
If he’s seeking counsel on how to perform on the stage at All-Star weekend, he can confer with teammate and dunk contest veteran Gerald Wallace. Wallace is a two-time dunk contest competitor, most recently in 2010. But with the amount of energy Wallace exudes on a nightly basis, he needs and deserves the time off to rest.
How would Williams fare against Derrick Williams, Shumpert and George? He could make the finals.
Derrick Williams is athletically freakish—not unlike Wallace. But I don’t see him having enough flair to capture the fans’ vote.
George is one of the most curious cases in the NBA. He’s a 6-10, 210-pound shooting guard. That’s a rare commodity. At that height, you need to come with some powerful dunks to be considered for a title. George has a rare combination of height and agility, which could work in his favor. He’s the dark horse.
Shumpert will win the competition. Why? The Most Linteresting Man in the World will be tossing him at least one lob. With Jeremy Lin on Shumpert’s side, anyone else in the competition will need to unveil the 3-point line dunk to stand a chance.
Sorry Blazer fans, I don’t think Elliot has that in him. But I’d be willing to bet Blazer-Rockets tickets that he’s a more scintillating slam-jammer than Chase Budinger.
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