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The names of the participants in the 2011 All-Star Slam Dunk Contest have been released.  The four contestants are Blake Griffin, Serge Ibaka, JaVale McGee and Brandon Jennings.

This is an interesting field.  Over the past five years, there has always been that one up-and-coming star in the contest.  And it is clear that this year’s stud is Blake Griffin.  Usually, the Dunk Contest is full of high-flying guards, but this year seems to be headed in a different direction.

Griffin is a 6’10” power forward that is known for dunking on people and his spectacular alley-oops.

JaVale McGee is a 7-footer that is also known for dunking on opposing players and electrifying low-post dunks.  Although, let’s hope he doesn’t try and dunk from the free throw line.

Serge Ibaka is another 6'10" power forward, but he is known for his hustle.  He works hard to get offensive rebounds and, once he gets them, he throws the ball down with authority.  Not somebody I can see with the Dunk Contest swag, but it will get him some much-needed attention on a national stage.

Brandon Jennings is known for his scoring, jaw dropping assists and unique haircuts.  For what Ibaka lacks in the Dunk Contest ‘swag’ department, Jennings will more than make up for it.

Currently, Blake Griffin leads the NBA in dunks – no surprise there.  But surprisingly Brandon Jennings is participating in the Dunk Contest.  On the year, Jennings has only dunked the ball home 2 times.  That does not seem like Dunk Contest material considering the rest of the field averages over a dunk per game.  Blake Griffin averages over 2 dunks PER GAME.  The 6’1” point guard should start asking Nate Robinson for tips on how to awe the crowd.

Let’s just all admit it now; Blake Griffin is going to win the contest.  Unless he just misses all of his dunks, there is no way he could lose.

The All-Star Weekend is being held in Los Angeles.  Griffin plays for the Los Angeles Clippers.  The crowd is one of the most important aspects of the Dunk Contest, and the judges often vote based off of how much the crowd likes the dunk.  The home-court advantage will definitely be in Griffin's corner.

Also, it seems like all of Griffin's games offer a guaranteed highlight.  It seems that every week Griffin is in SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays of the Week segment.  We will see dunks from Griffin that other players just can not perform, and they will be so fierce that people watching on their couches are forced to say, “Ooohh.”

This contest is more about the chase for 2^nd rather than 1^st.  The battle for 2^nd will most likely be between McGee and Jennings.

McGee just seems like the player that thinks he can do things that he absolutely can not achieve.  If he tries to do something crazy it may take him 20 attempts to actually get it.  Then again, it took little Nate Robinson around that many attempts, and he still won the contest. That may work in McGees favor.

I think the player to most likely to get 2^nd is Brandon Jennings.  Even though he only has 2 dunks on the year, those are during actual games. Jennings does not have the height to drive in to the lane, rise up and dunk.  Those two dunks were probably on fast breaks, but what benefits Jennings is there aren’t any defenders draped on him during the Dunk Contest.  Jennings seems like the type of player that can think of uncanny ideas, and if he is participating in the contest he has to have at least some hops.  Also, in high school Jennings was in a number of dunk contests. He is used to participating in them so he will not be scared to showoff some flashy dunks.

Regardless of who gets into the final round against Griffin, they don’t have a chance.  This guy is a monster.  He is one of the most exciting players to watch in the league.

Even though the NBA should change the Dunk Contest back to when they had more stars in it, they got it right by showcasing Griffin this year.  To the other three, I am sorry for your loss.

By Gregg Pluta

Written by: Alex Stomp

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