It’s Valentines Day weekend again, and while that might mean red hearts and roses to some, to NBA fans it means All Star Weekend.
Each year the most anticipated event during the weekend is the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
The Slam Dunk Contest showcases the athletic and creative skills of some of the best players in the league and is sure to produce some memorable moments.
Traditionally, the contest was every man for himself, winner crowned champion. This year, however, there have been some big changes.
This Saturday the six participants will first compete as teams of three, and then individually. The Eastern and Western Conference players will compete against each other.
John Wall (Wizards), Paul George (Pacers) and Terrence Ross (Raptors) will be representing the Eastern Conference.
Ben McLemore (Kings), Damian Lillard (Blazers) and Harrison Barnes (Warriors) will be representing the Western Conference.
The first round is the “Freestyle Round.” Both the East and West will have 90 seconds to dunk as many times as they want. All players will be dunking and can assist each other. Judges will vote for a winning conference following both turns.
The second round is the “Battle Round,” in which an East dunker and a West dunker will compete head-to-head with the judges deciding who wins and who is eliminated. The first team to will three battles wins the Dunk Contest.
All three players on the winning team will be crowned “Slam Dunk Contest champions.” Fans will be able to vote for their favorite individual, determining who the “Dunker of the Night.”
Coverage of this year’s NBA Slam Dunk Contest begins at 8 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 15.
Tell us which conference you think has the best dunkers in the comments below.
Follow Carrie Healey on Twitter @CarrieHeals.