All-Star Weekend Rewind: John Wall Wins 2014 Slam Dunk Contest
By Ethan Smith
The 2014 NBA Slam Dunk Contest: The Dunkers
The Slam Dunk Contest roster for 2014 was loaded 5 years ago. Since 2014, these six have combined for over a dozen All-Star game appearances, several All-NBA selections, and one NBA Championship. John Wall didn’t just beat a bunch of chumps. Let’s meet our dunkers.
Team East
Terrence Ross – Toronto Raptors
Fresh off of a 2013 Slam Dunk Contest win, Terrence Ross may have come into the evening as the favorite to take home ‘Dunker of the Night’. Would the high-flying Toronto Raptor be able to defend his crown against some tough competition?
Long before Paul George was dominating alongside Russell Westbrook with the Oklahoma City Thunder, he was leading the Pacers in some epic battles against LeBron James and the Miami Heat. Plus, he was throwing down some insane dunks. This was George’s second time competing in the dunk contest after finishing third in 2012. Also, his second time being a “teammate” of Wall’s after both were named to the 2010-11 All-Rookie team.
John Wall – Washington Wizards
In 2014, Wall may have been better known for his dance moves than his dunks. But in his fourth NBA season, Wall was becoming a real force and had just become Washington’s first All-Star in six years. Since then, he’s been selected to four more All-Star games, the 2014-15 All-Defensive Team, and was named All-NBA in 2017. #WallStar
Team West
Damian Lillard – Portland Trail Blazers
Only in his second season, Damian Lillard was already a star in the NBA by the time he entered the dunk contest. Lillard had made waves during All-Star weekend during his 2013 Rookie of the Year season when he won the NBA Skills Competition. Lillard would end up defending that title and repeating as skills champ in 2014. Why not try a dunk contest crown?
Harrison Barnes – Golden State Warriors
Also in his second season, Harrison Barnes may not have had the accolades that Lillard did, but the dunk contest hype was there. Announcers Kenny Anderson and Reggie Miller both said they liked Barnes as a possible favorite when the competition started.
Ben McLemore – Sacramento Kings
Ben McLemore was still a rookie in 2014, but a raw, exciting, and athletic one at that. Perfect fo the dunk contest. He may not have been the headliner, but he was definitely a dark horse.