(Photo by Jamie Schwaberow/Getty Images)
Over the past decade or so, NBA All-Star Weekend has seemingly gotten worse and worse with every passing year, as players don’t really put in any effort to the festivities, outside of maybe the three-point shootout and slam dunk contest.
Usually, the NBA All-Star Game is about as bad as it gets, with no defense and players wanting to play the least amount of minutes possible.
However, sometimes, the three-point shootout and slam dunk contest can showcase some of the best players in the league, making these events at least somewhat watchable.
The three-point shootout usually has big-name players like Stephen Curry, Damian Lillard, and other superstars or star players that excel from beyond the arc.
As for the dunk contest, it’s almost always young players looking to make a name for themselves, and sometimes these players have become quite popular or intriguing ahead of the competition, much like rookie Jaime Jaquez Jr. of the Miami Heat, who will reportedly compete this year, according to NBA insider Greg Sylvander via NBACentral.
Jaime Jaquez Jr is expected to take part in the NBA Slam Dunk contest, per @GregSylvander pic.twitter.com/rgz38uWDla
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) January 8, 2024
As the No. 18 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Jaquez has already exceeded expectations heading toward the halfway point of his rookie season with the Heat.
Jaquez has played so well for the Heat that he’s been awarded considerable time on the floor on a championship-caliber team while also being in the running for NBA Sixth Man of the Year.
Jaquez is averaging over 30 minutes a game, putting up 13.7 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.1 steals per game, shooting 50.8% from the floor and 34.6% from three-point range.
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