The premiere event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night is the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, which this year might as well be called Blake Griffin and Three Other Guys. Griffin is playing on his home court at Staples Center and will be a prohibitive crowd favorite tonight, but Griffin isn't the only contestant with Los Angeles roots. DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors is from nearby Compton and played his one year of college ball down the street at USC.
DeRozan also is no stranger to the Slam Dunk Contest. This is his second season in the NBA, and his second appearance in the contest. This year, DeRozan was named as a replacement of Brandon Jennings of the Milwaukee Bucks, who withdrew from the dunk contest last month. Last year, DeRozan made the finals of the dunk contest, using these dunks:
DeRozan ultimately lost in the finals to Nate Robinson, who won his record third dunk contest. At 6-foot-7, DeRozan is the shortest competitor in this year's contest, but he just might be the one to take home the hardware. Andy Hutchins of SB Nation suggests DeRozan could be the spoiler of the night.
NBA All-Star Saturday Night begins it's telecast on TNT at 5 p.m. PST. The Sprite Slam Dunk Contest will be the final event of the night, following Haier Shooting Stars, the Taco Bell Skills Competition, and the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest.