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Guys, my season is over, and I'm thinking about figuring out a way to add a dunk contest to All-Star Weekend. Before I throw this to the suggestions forum, I thought I might throw it out here. Tell me what you think. Shoot holes in it. Support it. Add your own ideas. We could try this out as a league next season, if there is enough interest. Just trying to get the ball rolling.

BB Dunk Contest Idea

Arguably the most exciting part of All-Star Weekend is the Slam Dunk Contest. Why else does TNT hold it until the end of the evening on All-Star Saturday Night? This season's contest notwithstanding, in recent years, the Slam Dunk Contest has been the highlight of the weekend, and certainly is the most talked about at water coolers around the country the Monday after All-Star Weekend.

So why not have it in BB? We should push for this, and here's how:

First, a few changes would be needed in the player ratings and the way some plays are displayed during games.

First, creativity is paramount in crowning a Dunk Champion. From Krypto-Nate's dunk over Superman, to Dee Brown's No Look Jam, to MJ's from the freethrow line homage to Dr. J, the best dunkers came up with the most creative jams they could imagine.

So, every player in BB universe would be given a hidden Creativity rating, similar to the Prone to Foul rating.

While for our purposes, the Creativity Rating would only apply to the Dunk Contest, this new rating could also be demonstrated in games with the ability to create off the dribble, added dunk descriptions (360s in lane, breakaway windmill dunks, additional alley-oop descriptions, ability to put back offensive rebounds).

Only players with a Creativity level of 10 or higher would participate, lest we end up with something like the 2010 NBA Slam Dunk contest.


So, how does it work?

Each player would perform 3 dunks, 1 - a teammate assisted, 2 - power dunk, 3 - specialty dunk
The top 2 dunkers from the first round advance to the final.

Here's the step-by-step for each dunk:

1. Inside Shot rating is considered to determine whether or not the dunk is good. I imagine this would be like how a dunk is calculated in a game with no defense against the player.

2 . Depending on type of dunk, the following player attributes, plus a random multiplier determine that dunk's score. I used random.org string generator to create 10 4-digit strings, and I used the 3 largest numbers generated, adding a decimal in front of each. You could call the random factor the WOW rating.

a .Teammate dunks (teammate pass off backboard, jump over teammate, alley-oop)

Formula: (inside shot+passing+teammate passing+creativity)*random=dunk rating

b. Power dunks (windmills, 360s, freethrow line "Dr. J")

Formula: (inside shot+driving+handling+creativity)*random=dunk rating

c. Specialty dunks (self pass off backboard, alley-oops to self, through the legs)

Formula: (inside shot+handling+rebounding+creativity)*random=dunk rating

(aside--Using these skills would also have the side effect of encouraging more all-around training, instead of PFs and Cs who can't ball handle, or Gs who can't shoot inside.)

3. Add up all the dunk scores and you get total score. The two top scorers move on the final and the process is repeated.

For example, if we have these three players, with the following attributes:

Player A (SF-type)
Inside Shot - 11
Driving - 15
Rebounding - 5
Handling - 9
Passing - 8
Creativity 12

Player B (Center/PF-type)
Inside Shot - 12
Driving - 6
Rebounding - 11
Handling - 6
Passing - 5
Creativity 12

Player C (Guard-type)
Inside Shot - 2
Driving - 11
Rebounding - 1
Handling - 9
Passing - 12
Creativity 12

Here's how this contest would go:
(http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Ap-ztFnWrTG_dC1ET...)

Of course, the dunk descriptions would be written out and the dunkers would alternate in the finals to build the drama, it would not be shown as a spreadsheet, but you get the idea.

Last edited by MagicMan at 2/28/2010 12:13:48 AM

At first I thought to myself "what a stupid idea you can't see them dunk so why and how would this be considered exciting at all", but after reading your post this sounds like a really good idea, especially how it could be used in-game. The only comments i have are if there are a lot of players with +10 creativity whats the tie-breaker for who gets to go into the contest, also handling should be considered in all types of dunks, because you cant dunk the ball if you cant hold on to it, and passing should be considered in specialty dunks if they player is throwing it off the backboard or something that involves throwing the ball. Overall this is a fantastic idea I hope it gets added.

I guess kind of like three pointers the player that dunks the most often has the best chance of making it to the dunk contest. This would take into consideration in part handling driving IS etc.

To be frank, I have never liked the dunk contest in BB, I just couldn't fit it in. But your post and formula made me reconsider the facts. Dunk contest needs some kind of creativity and new ideas. This would be the only flaw of dunk contest in BB. Other than that, I liked your idea and I believe that would add excitement to all star weekend.

I'm going to try to stage BB's first All-Star Dunk contest during halftime of this season's All-Star Game, to be played out here in the forum and thru the in-game chat.

I'd going to include some video of past NBA Dunk Contests, so we're not just reading the contest.

it might playout like this:

On his first attempt, Sean Ryan tries a between-the-legs jam, soaring from the baseline, passing the ball from left to right and throwing it down right-handed.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEhVqvi7V2w)

Need your help and cooperation...and honesty.

If you'd like to have a player considered for this season's dunk contest, send me BB-mail with his skills. I know giving this information may seem like Coke giving Pepsi the Original Formula, but truth is, I'm not smart enough to use the info to help my team. I also ask you to be honest...sure you can inflate your guys stats, but could you live with yourself in the morning? It's just for a little fun, please don't.

If there's enough interest, I may stage a Dunk-In on the eve of the All-Star Game.

Wow fantastic idea, ill send you one of ym guys stats when i decide who i think would be best in the dunk contest

Im not sure what exactly you are looking for..

Ill send you one that might be ok

I would think in terms of BB, a premier dunker would probably have good levels of driving, handling, jump shot and maybe something of either rebounding or shot blocking to demonstrate an ability to jump.

We've got 4 solid contenders, including a 6'3" point guard with serious hops, ready to participate in this dunk contest.

Flyers, Illusion and Hawks and Magic are all ready to put their best dunker to the test.

I'll close the entries at the end of games on Saturday night. If anyone else wants to get in, pls shoot me a BBmail with your player and skills.

I love the idea. However, management has opted to exclude any X-stepper from participating in the dunk contest due to an inadaquate on court performance.

Players are upset but we had to take a hardline stance to get guys going this season.