NBA: All-Stars George, Lillard, headline new-format dunk contest

Rodneil Quiteles

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The NBA introduces a new format in the Slam Dunk contest as three All-Stars take part in the Saturday night highlight

WHO WILL RISE? The Official poster of the 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Competition. Image from the NBA's Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines – Star rim-rattlers are set to take flight in the NBA Sprite Slam Dunk competition.

NBA All-Stars Paul George, Damian Lillard, and John Wall headline the 2014 edition of the Slam Dunk contest on All-Star Saturday night, February 15 (February 16 in the Philippines) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. Portland’s sophomore star Lillard is also making history in this year’s All-Star games as the first-ever player to participate in all 5 of the events. 

This is the first time since 1988 that three All-Stars are participating in the Saturday night highlight. 26 years ago in Chicago, Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, and Dominique Wilkins competed in the contest. Jordan sealed the win and bagged his second Slam Dunk title with a memorable take off from the foul line.

The 3 other participants in this year’s contest are reigning Slam Dunk champion Terrence Ross, Golden State’s Harrison Barnes, and Sacramento Kings rookie Ben McLemore.

New format

The NBA shakes-up this year’s competition introducing an East vs West format.

It’s the going to be a dunk-fest in the first round or what will be known as the Freestyle Round. Each conference gets 90 seconds each to throw down as many nasty jams as they can, afterwards, the panel of judges will then decide the winner by voting either East or West.

The winning conference gets to choose if their dunkers will dunk first or second in the next round.

The next round will be called the Battle round. An East dunker will face-off with a West dunker in a one-on-one affair. Loser of the head-to-head battle will be eliminated. The first team to win three battles will be crowned 2014 Sprite Slam Dunk champions.

Now to the good stuff, here are some dunk highlights from this year’s contestants.

Eastern Conference


Western Conference

– Rappler.com

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