DeAndre Jordan “Yet to Decide” On Slam Dunk Contest

We’ve been waiting for almost a decade to see DeAndre Jordan, the high-flying Clippers center, in the NBA’s slam dunk contest. He’s maintained in the past that he wouldn’t participate if he didn’t have another reason to be at All-Star Weekend.

This year, he does. Jordan was named to his first NBA All-Star team, the Clippers’ sole representative in a year when Chris Paul and Blake Griffin have both missed time due to injuries. So will we see DJ go against Aaron Gordon on Saturday night?

Maybe, he says.

Personally, I think Jordan should participate, but I can understand why he wouldn’t want to. It’s hard for big men to win the dunk contest (yeah, Blake and Dwight did, but wings tend to throw down the more athletic and exciting jams), and Aaron Gordon certainly would have been worthy of victory last year, and seems to be the favorite with Zach LaVine opting out. Does DJ want to participate if he’s going to lose?

I don’t see why not. It’s not like there’s any shame in losing the slam dunk contest, and it would probably be an amazing experience—and one he might not get again, if he doesn’t make another All-Star team. Let’s hope DeAndre dunks on All-Star Saturday night.