Milwaukee Bucks: Franchise’s complete All-Star Saturday history (2019 update)
By Adam McGee
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Slam Dunk Contest: 2015
Skills Challenge: 2014
While Sunday will mark Giannis Antetokounmpo’s third straight year playing, and starting, in the All-Star Game, prior to any selection for the weekend’s marquee event, Antetokounmpo had twice featured in the Saturday night festivities.
As a participant in the Rising Stars Challenge in his first two seasons, Antetokounmpo also took part in Saturday night events in 2014 and 2015.
In 2014, Antetokounmpo teamed up with DeMar DeRozan in one of the many varied formats the Skills Challenge has taken on over the years. In spite of finishing their relay run with a spectacular dunk, the passing and shooting elements slowed Giannis down, as he and DeRozan were eliminated in the first round.
Unfortunately, Antetokounmpo’s appearance on All-Star Saturday in 2015 proved no more successful. While his place in what’s still largely considered by many as the most prestigious events of the weekend will certainly have helped to boost Antetokounmpo’s profile, the Greek failed to translate his incredible in-game dunking to the static and showy setting of the Slam Dunk Contest.
The result was a performance that Antetokounmpo would probably rather forget.