2019 NBA Slam Dunk Contest Thread

I figured we should have a thread to celebrate Dennis Smith Jr. in the dunk contest this year (they’re still in the three-point contest).

Let’s go, DSJ!

Knicks Morning News (2019.02.16)

  • [NYDN] Rick Barry thinks Kevin Durant would be nuts to leave Warriors for Knicks
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 4:40:00 PM)

    CHARLOTTE – Rick Barry, the NBA Hall of Famer who is never shy about expressing his opinion, made it clear where he stands on the most important decision of the NBA summer: In short, Barry believes Kevin Durant would be a lunatic to leave the Warriors for New York.

    “He has a chance to be part of…

  • [NYPost] Knicks likely will be trying to land two of these six Special K’s
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 10:48:24 PM)

    With cap space for two max contracts, the Knicks will try to land two of the six Special K’s on the free-agency market: Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kyrie Irving, Kemba Walker, Klay Thompson and Khris Middleton. They’re all in Charlotte for All-Star Weekend, and likely to face those kinds of questions during Saturday’s media availability….

  • [NYPost] Kareem Abdul-Jabbar finds time to mock Knicks’ title drought
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 7:10:12 PM)

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, the Hall of Famer and Power Memorial graduate out of Harlem, took a jab at the Knicks in marveling at their championship drought dating to 1973. “The last [time] they won a championship, I was playing in Milwaukee,’’ Abdul-Jabbar cracked at Friday’s ceremony announcing the 2019 Hall of Fame finalists….

  • [NYPost] What Dennis Smith Jr. is looking to do to take it to the next level
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 3:26:13 PM)

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Dennis Smith Jr. has already had his conversation with Nate Robinson, who was a great champion with the Knicks. Slam-Dunk champion, that is. Robinson was a three-time winner. “Nate The Great” was never charged with leading the Knicks out of the wilderness of what will be six straight seasons without a playoff…

  • [NYPost] How Kyrie Irving wants Kevin Knox to finish his rookie season
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 8:10:26 AM)

    CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kyrie Irving was head coach of Team USA in the Rising Stars Challenge and sounded like he took special interest in one of his charges — Knicks rookie Kevin Knox. “He told me to keep staying aggressive, keep playing hard,’’ Knox said after scoring 11 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 16 minutes…

  • [SNY Knicks] Coached by Kyrie Irving, Knicks’ Kevin Knox scores 11 points in NBA Rising Stars game
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 11:48:26 PM)

    With impending free agent and possible Knicks target Kyrie Irving coaching him, Knicks rookie Kevin Knox scored 11 points Friday in the NBA Rising Stars game.

  • [SNY Knicks] NBA Hall of Famer blasts idea of Kevin Durant leaving Warriors for Knicks
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 8:23:32 PM)

    The Knicks are laying out the groundwork to sign Kevin Durant this summer but Rick Barry has no idea why he would want to leave the Warriors.

  • [SNY Knicks] LeBron breaks down possible Knicks draft pick Zion Williamson’s game
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 9:05:44 AM)

    For as much as Duke freshman phenom Zion Williamson has wowed with his athleticism on the court, his attitude off the court is what strikes LeBron James.

  • [NYTimes] D’Angelo Russell Is Poetry on the Court. Take It From a Poet.
    (Saturday, February 16, 2019 5:01:04 AM)

    The Nets’ All-Star point guard has a fan in Mikko Harvey, an award winner. They see the parallels in their crafts, sharing the tension between daring and safe.

  • [NYTimes] Pelicans Fire General Manager Dell Demps Amid Anthony Davis Trade Drama
    (Saturday, February 16, 2019 5:54:46 AM)

    Demps had been under a fiery spotlight since Davis requested a trade in January. His standing only grew worse in recent weeks as Davis stayed put.

  • [NYTimes] On Pro Basketball: Finally, the N.B.A. Comes to Charlotte
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 11:30:05 PM)

    A divisive bill restricting the rights of lesbian, gay and bisexual people, passed in 2016, caused sports organizations to abandon North Carolina. A partial repeal brought them back.

  • [NYTimes] Keeping Score: Knicks Come Up Short Again: Not Even the Worst Team of Last 20 Years
    (Friday, February 15, 2019 1:57:00 PM)

    Just a little context for a dreadful season: By some measures, the Knicks have a ways to go to sink lower in the N.B.A. cellar.

  • [NYTimes] On Pro Basketball: LeBron James Was Supposed to Make the Lakers Great. But When?
    (Saturday, February 16, 2019 5:44:55 AM)

    Behind James, Los Angeles is embarking on the road back to N.B.A. dominance. But injury, erratic play and months of drama have a young core wondering when the fun begins.