So says Jonathan Feigen of the Houston Chronicle... Correct me if I'm wrong, but Francis is the third ever Rocket to perform in the competition: Ralph Sampson was in the first dunk contest in years in 1984 when Larry Nance won and Kenny Smith was in it as a Rocket in (I believe) 1991. Anyone got the facts exactly straight on that?
Here ya go Clutch, Slam Dunk Contest results from '84-'97. <A HREF=http://www.nba.com/allstar97/slamdunk/results.html>Dunk Contest Results</A> Ralph Sampson finished tied for 5th overall with Edgar Jones behind Larry Nance, Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins and Darrell Griffith respectively in the '84 contest. Sampson did not make it out of the 1st round that year. Kenny Smith participated in the '90, '91 and '93 contests. In '90 he made it to the finals, but lost to "The Human Highlight Film", Dominique Wilkins. In '91 finished 4th overall behind Dee Brown, Shawn Kemp and Rex Chapman respectively in the '91 contest. Kenny made it as far as the semi-final round that year. In '93 he finished 5th overall behind Harold Miner, Clarence Weatherspoon, Cedric Ceballos and David Benoit. ------------------ Lottery? I don't think so. [This message has been edited by RocketsPimp (edited January 20, 2000).]
Thanks RP -- I forgot that Kenny was in the '93 contest. So overall Steve is the third ever Rocket to perform in the event -- 4th time (since Kenny was in the event as a Rocket twice)... thanks again
They are having a vote in the NBA.com tv section on who will win the slam dunk contest. 88 percent has gone to Carter and in second place right now is Steve Francis with like 6 % of the votes..
Carter has just won the Slam dunk contest. This just in; breaking new from the day the dunk contest was reinstated. However, francis does have a higher vertical leap than any player in the NBA. I hear it is 42 inches. Those are some up's. Carter however is artistic with his dunks. But, why is steve competing. Just some time ago he said he was not going to compete since he firmly beleive that Carter had already won it. Is it the same as Oneil saying that he would never play in an allstar game again after MJ got the All star MVP over him some time ago. Oh but Oneil still plays in the Games. What's up Oneil?
I hear Steve is going to take a prop with him to the Dunk Contest. He will be taking Arvidas Sabonis along.I hear he will sit Sabonis' fat ass under the basket,dunk on him and then proced to dance the jig on Sabonis' head I agree with most of you that Carter's name is already engraved on the trophey.At least you know Carter will do something great to get it.He will be better then some of the stiff's that won it the last couple of years it was run. He still wont be better the "The Franchise" though ------------------ Your Starting Power Forward for the Clutch City Allstars My Expert Opinion Of Steve Francis:Mate he is a special player!
Why is everyone so convinced Carter's going to win? True, he might have a HUGE marketing push behind him, but I wouldn't count out some of the other participants. Kobe Bryant is still the reigning champion, and Stevie ain't gonna make this a cakewalk for either of them. Who knows, Carter's dunks might not look all that awesome when not done on someone(see: DREXLER, Clyde). ------------------ WE WILL WATCH THEM FALL.
AntiSonic: Carter is a lock to win it, not because he is that far ahead of the other contestants, but because there is no way the NBA let's this opportunity get by them. This is their big chance to sell Vince Carter, the new "NBA Savior - Player of the Millenium". This is their big chance to get things going.
cabbman-- That's what I'm afraid of. The NBA could bring back a lot more interest to the contests return if they actually gave Carter some competition. Just saw in NBA Dish that KG and KB anren't going at it. All three of those guys have recently been labeled 'next Jordans'- imagine the hype that a three-way duel between them could produce with Stevie's rising stardom as a subplot... It worked with Jordan, but aside from 'Nique, he was the only marketable super-dunker. Now the league has, in marketing terms, three MJs. Just seems a little odd that they'd hoist their wagon to one guy when they have two others to help pull the load.
I think it will come down to Carter and Francis. The reason I say Francis has a good chance is because he is shorter and will look better. Remember Spud Webb! On a side note: What year was it when Kenny Smith was in the contest and he grabbed the rim with one hand and dunked it with the other. That dunk got disqualified, but I still thought it was very cool.
Don't hand the trophy to Carter yet. Remember Nance upsetting Dr. J? Remember this guy named Terrance (sp?) Stansbury? If Carter misses his good dunks and had to settle for an average dunk, he can lose. I remember Kenny Smith did an interview with Carter a week back on TNT, Carter mentioned something about have several dunks in his bag that no one has ever seen before, so I think it would be interesting. As much as I don't care for MJ2, it is a shame to not see him in the contest. Before, I didn't think I was up for the Slam competition, but I am singing a different tune now, I am now looking forward to the competition.
