High anxiety
Dunk contest participants size up their chances
Posted: Friday February 07, 2003 8:57 PM
Updated: Friday February 07, 2003 9:38 PM
SI.com's John Hollinger and Marty Burns size up the competition at this year's Slam Dunk Competition.
Richard Jefferson may be new to the dunk contest, but he's got the art of trash talking beforehand down pat. Jefferson referred to Desmond Mason as the "old man" in this year's contest, and took a veiled shot at Jason Richardson's reliance on two-footed takeoffs when he talked about his own ability to do a variety of dunks and noted, "Some players can't jump off one leg."
But the Nets forward admits he'll have his hands full Saturday night, projecting himself as the favorite to come in fourth among the dunkers on hand.
For his part, Mason is getting no advice from former champ Brent Barry. "He just lets me do my thing. I don't give him advice on 3-point shooting, not that I should be anyway. I just like to go out and be creative and play it by ear," Mason said.
SI.com talked to all four participants about their dunking style Friday. Here's what they said, and how their chances look:
Photo credit: Noren Trotman/NBAE/Getty Images |
Richard Jefferson
New Jersey Nets | F | #24
Born: June 21, 1980
College: Arizona
Height: 6'7"
Weight: 222 lbs.
NBA Season: 2nd
Vertical: "Maybe 38 to 40 -- But ask any of these guys: Your vertical will increase by 4-5 inches when it's time to go out there."
Odds: 7 to 1 |
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| Dunking role model |
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"Dominique. Vince Carter is unbelievable -- he's something that's almost not human -- but Dominique combined grace, power, strength, and creativity." |
| Signature dunk |
| "My favorite is probably the windmill, but I don't have a signature dunk." |
| Dunking style |
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"I think I'm more versatile than some guys. I have a lot of confidence in my ability to do different kinds of dunks." |
| How to improve the contest: |
| "If they'd allow you to use a teammate." Meaning having Jason Kidd around to throw him alleyoops? "No, people see that all the time. Some of the guys here have seen it way too much. I have the best passer in the league to throw it to me." |
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Photo credit: Jeff Reinking/NBAE/Getty Images |
Desmond Mason
Seattle SuperSonics | G/F | #24
Born: Oct. 11, 1977
College: Oklahoma State
Height: 6'5"
Weight: 222 lbs.
NBA Season: 3rd
Vertical: "Last time I checked it was 40, but that was in college."
Odds: 5 to 2 |
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| Dunking role model |
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"I'm kind of a blend of everybody. From Jordan to Dominique to Spud Webb to Vince Carter." |
| Signature dunk |
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I go out and do things just off instinct, so I don't really have one." |
| Dunking style |
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"I think I'm a little of both -- creative with the finesse, but I also can finish hard." |
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Photo credit: Rocky Widner, NBAE/Getty Images |
Jason Richardson
Golden State Warriors | G | #23
Born: Jan. 20, 1981
College: Michigan State
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 220 lbs.
NBA Season: 2rd
Vertical: Doesn't know, but "probably" above 40 inches.
Odds: 3 to 1 |
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| Dunking role model |
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"Dominique Wilkins." |
| Signature dunk |
| "The windmill." |
| Dunking style |
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"I'm more of a power dunker, but I have a little finesse too." |
| How to improve the contest: |
| "The changes they made this year, getting rid of the wheel." |
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Photo credit: Fernando Medina, NBAE/Getty Images |
Amare Stoudemire
Phoenix Suns | F/C | #32
Born: Nov. 16, 1982
College: N/A
Height: 6'10"
Weight: 245 lbs.
NBA Season: 1st
Vertical: 38 inches
Odds: 8 to 1 |
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| Dunking role model |
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Shaquille O'Neal and Shawn Kemp, but also original dunk contest winner Larry Nance. "I wouldn’t mind being another guy from Phoenix to win it. I saw him dunk those two balls while coming around the other side of the rim… Pretty nice." |
| Signature dunk |
| Tomahawk over the Clippers’ Michael Olowokandi on Dec. 20. "It felt like it was just me and the rim." |
| Dunking style |
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Raw power |
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