Dec 26, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dunks over Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Amway Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 98-89.
Dec 26, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo (5) dunks over Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second half at Amway Center. Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Orlando Magic 98-89. REUTERS/Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Orlando Magic’s Victor Oladipo, the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Brooklyn Nets’ Mason Plumlee have been selected to contest the crown for the dunk contest to be held during the NBA All-Star game at the Barclay’s Center in New York, Feb. 14. The league is still considering adding a fourth contender, possibly the high leaper rookie from the Minnesota Timberwolves, Zach LaVine.

“The Milwaukee Bucks' Giannis Antetokounmpo and Orlando Magic's Victor Oladipo have committed to participating in the All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk contest, league sources told Yahoo Sports. Brooklyn Nets center Mason Plumlee also will be a part of the competition,” Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo Sports first reported the development.

All four contestants are first time participants to the event which shifted to a different format last year. Players from the Western and Eastern conferences were selected to perform team freestyle dunks and individual dunks which determined the winning side. John Wall of the Washington Wizards conceivably made the best dunk of the night when he jumped over the mascot, double-clutched the ball and threw down a vicious two handed reverse dunk, reminiscent of Steve Francis’s dunk in the 2000s.

The league has not yet announced if it will revert to the traditional individual dunk-offs but with the current names thrown out that it is very likely that it would be follow the usual three-round format with a player eliminated each round until two are left to contest the title. There will be no shortage of talent in the selected participants as demonstrated by their on-court play.

“The Greek Freak” Antetokounmpo is the likely favourite of the bunch after patenting a Eurostep dunk and free throw line take-offs during games. Plumlee has participated in dunk contests in high school, even finishing second in a McDonald’s All-star dunk contest. Oladipo has been showcasing his dunking ability in the court, the last one a ferocious breakaway 360 dunk to seal the win against the Houston Rockets. The Timberwolves’ LaVine has been given plenty of playing time this season due to the injury to Ricky Rubio and has displayed the 44-inch vertical leap, which was the highest among rookies during the camp.

For concerns on this article, contact the writer at v.hidalgo@ibtimes.com.au.

Sources:

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/sources--antetokounmpo--oladipo--plumlee-in-dunk-contest-205223454.

html http://www.si.com/nba/point-forward/2014/02/16/2014-nba-slam-dunk-contest-format-rules-john-wall-paul-george

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2338016-nba-slam-dunk-contest-2015-date-updates-on-rumored-participants-and-more

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/1/21/7868345/giannis-antetokounmpo-and-victor-oladipo-will-be-in-the-2015-nba-dunk