Milwaukee Bucks: Slam Dunk Contest History, 2017 Preview

2017 Contest

So you’ve probably noticed that the Bucks haven’t had the greatest of successes in the Slam Dunk Contest, and even though they have no contestant again this year, don’t let that deter you from tuning in to the show on Saturday night.

Injury has robbed Zach LaVine of the chance to return to defend the title that he has won in the two previous years (as it has also thwarted my prediction from last year that Jabari Parker would compete this time around), but LaVine’s primary rival from last year, Aaron Gordon, returns as a heavy favorite to get his hands on a trophy that many would argue he deserved last year.

Looking to rain on what many are predicting to be little more than a ceremonial parade for Gordon, Phoenix Suns rookie Derrick Jones Jr. certainly seems like the most explosive of the underdogs making up this year’s field.

Son of Bucks legend “Big Dog” Glenn Robinson, Glenn Robinson III will be looking to cap off a solid season, and the best of his career to date, as a role player with the Indiana Pacers by putting on a show with his jams on Saturday night.

While rounding out the field as the token big man, All-Star center DeAndre Jordan will look to become the first big since Dwight Howard to make any real impact on this event, and will likely attempt to do so with a variety of power slams.

Next: History Of The Milwaukee Bucks In The Rising Stars Challenge

As always, there should be plenty to get excited about in this year’s contest. Having hinted in media duties this week that he’d like to try the event again some time in the future, perhaps Giannis Antetokounmpo could be back to put in a much better performance next year.

*This is an update of a post that originally appeared on Behind the Buck Pass in 2016