Robinson to defend NBA All-Star dunk crown

(AFP)
Updated: 2007-02-06 08:37

New York's Nate Robinson will defend his title at the National Basketball Association All-Star Slam Dunk contest against three first-time entrants, the league announced.

Boston's Gerald Green, Orlando's Dwight Howard and Chicago's Tyrus Thomas will also compete for the crown February 17 at Las Vegas in the annual showdown of high-leaping, wild-spinning acrobatic jams into baskets.

The dunk contest comes on the eve of the 56th NBA All-Star Game at the Nevada gambling mecca.

Many of the league's top stars have elected not to compete in the event in recent years, diminishing the impact of an event whose past winners include Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins.

Robinson became the second-youngest winner in the history of the dunk contest last year. Only 1986 champion Spud Webb, who supplied a bounce pass on Robinson's only perfect-score dunk last year, was shorter.

The only back-to-back slam dunk contest winners have been Golden States Jason Richardson in 2002 and 2003 and Jordan in 1987 and 1988.

Jordan, the retired superstar who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA crowns, will serve as a judge along with Wilkins, Bryant, Carter and Julius Erving, the retired Philadelphia star nicknamed "Dr. J" who was known for his dunking skills.

Two rule changes for this year require dunks to be completed within two minutes and the availability of television replay for consultation at the discretion of the referee.




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