Donovan Mitchell Will Not Be Defending His Dunk Contest Title So Here's Who I Want Participating
(Desert News) – Utah Jazz star Donovan Mitchell broke into the national spotlight during NBA All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles last year after winning the Slam Dunk contest.
However, the second-year guard won’t be defending his crown at NBA All-Star Weekend in Charlotte this February at the Spectrum Center.
Although he isn’t competing in the dunk contest, Deseret News sources say he hasn’t ruled out the Rising Stars Game on Friday, Feb. 15.
“I loved doing the dunk contest last year and it was a ton of fun, but I also know it takes a lot of focus, practice and preparation,” Mitchell told the Deseret News. “Right now, my mind is really on helping my team make a deep run (in the) second half of the season. I’m excited though for the weekend, I’m going to be able to be a part of some great events.”
As a rookie, Mitchell became the first Utah player to win the title since Jeremy Evans in 2012 and just the seventh Jazzman to ever participate in the dunk contest.
He paid homage his mentor and former Jazz great Darrell Griffith plus Vince Carter, while breaking out their vintage jerseys for props, and even included comedian Kevin Hart as part of his his routine in Los Angeles.
NBA All-Star Weekend 2019 is set for Feb. 15-17 in Charlotte.
Well this is a bummer. You guys remember Donovan Mitchell’s performance last year? If not, refresh your memory
I know people like to shit on the Dunk Contest about how it’s boring and all that, but I actually enjoyed Mitchell’s performance. I always like when guys throw up a tribute to past legends, and when you watch Mitchell on a nightly basis have ridiculous in game dunks, I was excited to see what he may have cooked up for this year. He’s for sure one of the more impressive dunking guards we have in the league, so it’s a bummer he won’t be defending his title. We’ve had back to back winners a total of 4 times, with Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson, and Zach LaVine as the only players in history to go back to back.
So now that he’s out, who do you want to see participate this year? For me the names aren’t all that new, but are a collection of guys who definitely would put on a show. I’d go with
Aaron Gordon
While more and more stars avoid this contest, we need to make sure Gordon is always included. The man can absolutely fly and given the fact that he was definitely snubbed in past contests, I have a pretty good feeling he’d bring the noise.
Derrick Jones Jr
You may not watch a ton of Miami Heat basketball so you may not be too familiar with Derrick Jones Jr, but he’s probably top 5 in terms of best dunkers in the NBA. Not just in the contest, but in game as well. The man has what seems like a 50 inch vertical and his dunking is sneaky why he’s stuck around. He was a no name while he was in PHX the last time he was in the Dunk Contest, but now that we know what he’s capable of he has to be in it moving forward
Zach LaVine
Yeah this goes without saying. He’s healthy, the Bulls have nothing to play for, let this dude for for his 3rd Dunk Contest title, something only Nate Robinson has done.
Miles Bridges
You want to find a young player that might be the future of this contest? Look no further than Miles Bridges from CHA. He already has some of the loudest dunks of the year, plus there’s also the chance we see him break out the throwback Hornets jersey during the competition which is something we should all get behind. If you’re looking for someone to usher in the next wave of dunkers, seems like a no brainer to me.
Vince Carter
How awesome would this be? A 41 year old in the dunk contest? Not only that, but one of the all time greats? The same guy who gave us this performance?
You can’t tell me Vince can’t still unload the goods. You see him in warmups pulling off 360s and shit, it only makes sense that in what will most likely be his final season that he ends it throwing that TOR jersey on one last time and does stuff that 41 year old simply should not be able to do.
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So that’s my list, I know the NBA is reading this so once you make this happen I don’t need credit. Maybe some all access passes for All Star weekend or something along those lines seeing as how I just did your job for you. Seems fair.
I’ll now ask you, who do you want to see in this year’s contest? Is Mitchell soft for not defending his title? Let’s hear it.