All-Stars return to slam dunk contest
NBA All-Star weekend is back, including the game on Sunday and other events such as the slam dunk contest on Friday and Saturday. Although many of the events have lost their luster over the years, the dunk competition is primed for a comeback.
For the first time since the late '80s, three of the contest's participants -- Paul George, Damian Lillard and John Wall -- will be pulling double-duty by playing in the All-Star Game in New Orleans, too.
Here's a look at the two previous such occurrences.
1985 Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Larry Nance
In the NBA's second edition of the dunk competition -- held in Indianapolis -- Erving was the established 76ers star, Nance the defending champ representing the Suns and Jordan the riveting NBA rookie for the Bulls.
Jordan fared the best, advancing all the way to the finals. But in the end, all fell short to "The Human Highlight Film," Dominique Wilkins of the Hawks.
1988 Clyde Drexler, Jordan, Dominique Wilkins
"Clyde the Glide," the Trail Blazers star, dunked his way to third, but this competition was all about the Jordan-Wilkins duel in Seattle.
The duo reached the finals, where it was "His Airness" who repeated as champ with a slam from the free-throw line, finally defeating his rim-rocking rival.