It seems to be getting worse and worse every year. It takes guys 5 attempts to make dunks. No big names. So-so dunks. I barely even watched any of it this year and saw about 20 missed dunks and only 4-5 makes. They need to do something to fix this, or just get rid of it.

And I don't buy the excuse about superstars not taking part because they want to rest, or get hurt, etc. How tired are you going to get from attempting 4-5 dunks? I bet they use more energy in practice while dunking or shooting half court shots.

(02-16-2013 11:13 PM)MidnightBlueGold Wrote:  It seems to be getting worse and worse every year. It takes guys 5 attempts to make dunks. No big names. So-so dunks. I barely even watched any of it this year and saw about 20 missed dunks and only 4-5 makes. They need to do something to fix this, or just get rid of it.

And I don't buy the excuse about superstars not taking part because they want to rest, or get hurt, etc. How tired are you going to get from attempting 4-5 dunks? I bet they use more energy in practice while dunking or shooting half court shots.

Yeah it isn't what it used to be. In fact, I didn't even know it had happened tonight until i read your post.

i firmly believe the stars don't want to get involved for fear of injury and that alone. There is so much money in their individual brands that they simply cannot risk endangering that stream of income. One of the big problems in sports (especially basketball) is that the athlete's brand is worth more than his salary from the sport. So in essence, the brand - the virtual individual if you will - is worth more than the actual person. The money LeBron James gets from the Heat is a pittance compared to his other sources of income. Same with Kevin Durant and a dozen others.

Further to the point, this is one of the myriad reasons pitchers rarely throw more than 100 pitches. Ownership's investment in each player has become absurd to the point where each player must be babied.

The problems with the dunk contest are many....

1) most dunks have already been done.
--Although people still want to do that jump from the freethrow line.

2) star power. it has none now.
swoosh might be right on the bradning and what not but
MJ made his brand with the dunk contest
same with Domonique Wilkins, Vince Carter, and several others.

3) I am not feeling the new rules but then again, if they are offering more creativity... I guess they have to do something. but several of the guys couldn't even complete the dunks they did do.

4) The NBA has basically gotten to where the in-game dunks are far exceeding the awesomeness of Dunk Contest Dunks. Think about it, the in-game dunks are looking better and better than anything you see in the dunk contest now.

***

The only two dunks that were good last night were the two guys in the finals.

(02-17-2013 07:57 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  2) star power. it has none now.
swoosh might be right on the bradning and what not but
MJ made his brand with the dunk contest
same with Domonique Wilkins, Vince Carter, and several others.

Back then Jordan needed the dunk contest to build his brand, as basketball wasn't a global game like it is now. These days the dunk contest would add nothing to the brands of KD, lebron, etc. Even Griffin didn't need it.

(02-17-2013 09:40 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(02-17-2013 07:57 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  2) star power. it has none now.
swoosh might be right on the bradning and what not but
MJ made his brand with the dunk contest
same with Domonique Wilkins, Vince Carter, and several others.

Back then Jordan needed the dunk contest to build his brand, as basketball wasn't a global game like it is now. These days the dunk contest would add nothing to the brands of KD, lebron, etc. Even Griffin didn't need it.

They are doing dunk contest dunks in the game :sly:

(02-17-2013 10:23 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  

(02-17-2013 09:40 PM)flyingswoosh Wrote:  

(02-17-2013 07:57 PM)PirateTreasureNC Wrote:  2) star power. it has none now.
swoosh might be right on the bradning and what not but
MJ made his brand with the dunk contest
same with Domonique Wilkins, Vince Carter, and several others.

Back then Jordan needed the dunk contest to build his brand, as basketball wasn't a global game like it is now. These days the dunk contest would add nothing to the brands of KD, lebron, etc. Even Griffin didn't need it.

They are doing dunk contest dunks in the game :sly:

yeah especially Griffin. KD and lebron aren't stylish dunkers, as many people have said

What about Calvin Talford at ETSU? Amazing days.