Whatever dunks Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe has planned for Saturday night’s slam dunk contest at All-Star weekend in Houston, he’s keeping them a secret.
“I know my first two dunks,” he said, “but I can’t tell you. You’ll just have to see.”
Bledsoe is one of six players chosen to participate in the popular event, which this year will be held under a new format, Western Conference vs. Eastern Conference, and will raise money for charity. He’s teamed with Denver’s Kenneth Faried and Utah’s Jeremy Evans, last year’s winner, against the Eastern Conference’s Gerald Green of Indiana, Terrence Ross of Toronto and James White of New York.
The Clippers' backup point guard said he’s gotten a few suggestions from teammates, but neither forward Blake Griffin, the slam dunk champion in 2011, nor center DeAndre Jordan has worked with him on specific dunks.
“We talked a little bit about it, but I haven’t worked on anything with him,” said Griffin, whose dunk over a Kia automobile is still considered one of the contest’s riskiest dunks. “I don’t even know if he’s worked on anything.”
Each player will get two dunks in the first round of competition with the highest-scoring competitor from each conference advancing to the final round. Fans will be able to vote in the championship round via text message, Twitter, the NBA’s website (NBA.com) or the official NBA All-Star app.
Although Bledsoe hasn’t practiced his dunks, he said, “I’m open to listening to every idea possible and just taking it from there. I’m just going to go out and have fun. Even if I don’t win, it’s a fun weekend.”
Griffin, one of the league’s most prolific and authoritative dunkers, said he’s not concerned with how Bledsoe will fare.
“He’s pretty creative,” he said. “He’ll be all right.”
Asked if he suggested that Bledsoe leap over a car as he did two years ago, Griffin smiled.
“That’s trademarked,” he answered.
