Hoops Links: Raptors, Celtics, All-Star Weekend

The 2013 NBA All-Star game gets underway in just a little bit, but the premier event of the weekend went down last night.  No, not the event where Jeff Teague chucked basketballs through garbage cans or where Brook Lopez had a shootaround with WNBA players.  I'm talking, of course, about the Slam Dunk contest, where some of the most iconic moments in the sports' recent history have been made.  

Last night's throwdown, however, lacked the punch and high drama that we have seen in most years.  James White had an entire Flight Crew to back him up on his attempt at a two-handed foul line dunk, but like many before him, was about a step too close to the basket.  Terrence Ross' behind-the-back maneuver was pretty sweet, if not original, but required what seemed like ten missed attempts before being completed.  (For what it's worth, I thought Jeremy Evans' dunk over his own painting stole the show.)

Every year, there's a lot of talk about how to fix the slam dunk contest.  Some people call for the game's biggest stars to enter, but that ultimately wouldn't up the ante for anyone except the most casual of fans.  In 2002, the league attempted to shake things up by introducing the dunk wheel (if you're in the mood to cringe, you can check out the YouTube video here).  So what's the solution? Perhaps the best answer is to accept that not every slam dunk contest will be worthy of texting all of your friends or telling your children about and realizing that some years will be stronger than others.  Oh, and lose Nick Cannon.  That would probably help too.

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