2019 NBA All Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest
The 2019 NBA all star weekend celebrates the most gifted players playing in the best professional basketball league in the world. Whatever format the NBA decides to use for the game in 2019, fans can expect spectacular plays made by the likes of LeBron James, Stephen Curry, James Harden, and Kevin Durant. The NBA all star game will attract thousands of fans to Charlotte for the 2019 NBA all star weekend. We mention weekend because although the all star game is the featured event, several other events take place over the course of the weekend, including the wildly popular slam dunk contest.
An Overview of the Slam Dunk Contest
At the inception of the slam dunk contest, NBA brass wanted the players participating in the all star game to compete in the skill challenges like the slam dunk contest and three point shot competition. NBA officials quickly realized the best dunkers and shooters might not make either all star squad. Therefore, the field of players competing in the skill challenges expanded to include the entire league. For the slam dunk contest, players create a choreographed series of moves that concludes with thunderous dunks. Judges rate each dunk on a scale from one to 10 and players competing in the event accumulate a total score that determines the winner. Many of the judges are former NBA players and celebrities who are familiar with the professional game.
Highlights of Past Slam Dunk Contests
It took a few years for the concept to catch on with NBA fans, but the slam contest soared in popularity during the mid and late 1980s. Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins squared off in slam dunks contests that left fans breathless. Two of the greatest leapers of all time helped push the slam dunk contest into the prime time scheduling slot for ESPN. Ratings continued to increase, as memorable events included the diminutive Spud Webb out jumping much taller players to win one of the slam dunk contests. The event has morphed into a kind of daredevil competition, as players jump over cars and rows of chairs to claim the title of best dunker in the world. Expect Utah Jazz Rookie Donovan Mitchell to defend his 2018 slam dunk win by participating in the slam dunk contest in Charlotte during 2019 all star weekend.
2019 NBA All Star Weekend Slam Dunk Parties
The NBA schedules the slam dunk contest, as well as the skills competitions, on the night before the big game. Saturday night means party night for the fans who attend the slam dunk contest. Parties held in luxury suites accommodate large groups, including celebrities throwing it down in the “Queen City.” After the event ends inside the Spectrum Center, NBA fans take parties to hotel ballrooms and private dining areas inside Uptown restaurants. The city of Charlotte keeps the festive mood alive by promoting street parties that feature live music. To learn more about the parties taking place before, during, and after the 2019 NBA all star weekend slam dunk contest, visit the comprehensive site Tourney Parties.com.
We look forward to seeing you in Charlotte for 2019 all star weekend.