Caption:NEW YORK, NY - FEBRUARY 14: Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves competes during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at Barclays Center on February 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
On Thursday, the NBA announced this year’s All-Star Weekend participants, including those who will partake in the Slam Dunk Contest, the 3-Point Contest, and the Skills Challenge.
Slam Dunk defending champion Zach LaVine from the Minnesota Timberwolves will lead the first competition following last year’s stellar performance. LaVine will compete against Will “The Thrill” Barton from the Denver Nuggets, Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic and Detroit Pistons giant Andre Drummond.
LaVine is expected to be the heavy favorite, although Drummond is probably the most creative and Barton is a high-flyer wild card.
With regards to the 3-Point Contest, Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry is the current defending champion, and is expected to be the favorite given his pre-game shooting warmups, which are often better than mosts participants’ runs. Curry’s fellow contestants this year include Splash Brother Klay Thompson, Houston Rockets Guard James Harden, Los Angeles Clippers sharpshooter J.J. Reddick, Phoenix Suns rookie Devin Booker, Miami Heat forward Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors point guard Kyle Lowry and versatile Milwaukee Bucks shooter Khris Middleton.
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The third and final competition is the Skills Challenge, in which participants go through dribbling, layup and passing courses. The event has been dominated by guards in the last few years, but the variety of competitors this year should make it an even more interesting challenge.
New Orleans Pelicans power forward Anthony Davis and Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins lead the roster, with Warriors do-it-all forward Draymond Green a good bet to roll in the event. Rockets guard Pat Beverley will get to defend his title, while rookie Karl-Anthony Towns will get his first shot at it. Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, Boston Celtics All-Star Isaiah Thomas and Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson round out the field.
NBA All-Star Saturday Night 2016 is on TNT Saturday, Feb. 13.
NEW YORK, NY – FEBRUARY 14: Zach LaVine #8 of the Minnesota Timberwolves competes during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2015 NBA Allstar Weekend at Barclays Center on February 14, 2015 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City.
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