2011 Slam Dunk Contest Exposed?

Clippers star Blake Griffin is on such a roll that he won the Slam Dunk contest ahead of participating. The NBA sent out a press release BEFORE the contest started announcing that Griffin was the winner.

The NBA sent out an itinerary for the NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by Adidas on Sunday Feb. 20 It ran down the highlights of the day.

In this official media advisory it listed the “KROQ BLAKE GRIFFIN SHOWCASE” from 1:20 pm to 2:00 pm with the following description: “Five middle school students will showcase their dunking talents in front of 2011 NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest winner Blake Griffin.”

Nothing wrong with this right? Except for the fact that the release was sent via email at 5:28 pm PST on Saturday Feb. 19, over an hour before the Slam Dunk contest’s scheduled 6:30 pm PST start...

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2011 NBA Dunk Contest Highlights

DeMar DeRozan






Serge Ibaka






Javale McGee










Blake Griffin

DeRozan replaces Jennings at the 2011 Dunk Contest

The N.B.A. will add DeMar DeRozan to the slam dunk competition, which will be held during All-Star weekend. He will assume the spot vacated by Brandon Jennings, who is returning from a fractured left foot. DeRozan’s selection is expected to be announced on Thursday.

DeRozan, a guard for the Toronto Raptors, finished second to Nate Robinson in last year’s competition. DeRozan is a native of California, and the All-Star Game will be played at Staples Center.

Jennings’s injury occurred on Dec. 15 against the Spurs. He is expected back within the next two weeks.

Blake Griffin (Clippers), JaVale McGee (Wizards) and Serge Ibaka (Thunder) are
scheduled to round out the slam-dunk participants.

VIA New York Times

When the contestants were initially announced, I was largely unimpressed with the selections and thought the contest was rigged towards Griffin's favor (not like he needs it though). Replacing Jennings with DeRozan does make it more competitive for Blake, but there is no way he loses considering that people go gaga over all of his dunks.

DeRozan needs to put on a show this year. His performance at last year's event was a disappointment.

2011 NBA Dunk Contest: Rigged?

Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who has become must-see TV because of his slam dunks, will be in the NBA's slam dunk contest, sources said Tuesday night.

Joining Griffin will be Washington Wizards 7-foot centerJaVale McGee, Oklahoma City Thunder 6-10 forward Serge Ibaka and Milwaukee Bucks 6-1 guard Brandon Jennings, sources said.

LA Times

I'm sure I'm not the only one that had a WTF look when the 2011 NBA Dunk Contest contestants were leaked yesterday. Blake Griffin was going to win regardless, because he is just that good, but did the NBA really have to eliminate the rest of the competition?

Judging from Jennings' high school highlights, he can dunk but he hasn't thrown one down in the NBA. Ibaka and McGee are very good athletes for bigs however they are in-game dunkers, not the type to do well during dunk contest.