UPDATE: Zach LaVine told reporters Thursday that he will not participate in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Saturday Night, Feb. 18, in New Orleans.
According to a Pioneer Press reporter, LaVine said he has nothing left to gain in the dunk contest but he would consider doing the 3-point contest.
LaVine said a 3 pt contest is less wear on the legs than the dunk contest. Noted that no one has won both before
— Jace frederick (@JaceFrederick) January 26, 2017
The original story is below.
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This is not cool. Everyone wants to see Zach LaVine go for a three-peat in the NBA Slam Dunk Contes. But according to ESPN reporter Chris Haynes, LaVine is leaning towards skipping the contest.
As of now, it sounds as if the back-to-back Slam Dunk champ Zach LaVine will not pursue a three-peat.
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) January 25, 2017
LaVine missed a couple of games last week with a minor hip injury, but All-Star Weekend isn’t until Feb. 17, so it’s not like there’s an injury excuse for LaVine.
Haynes adds that Orlando’s Aaron Gordon will participate. He and LaVine had the dunk contest of a lifetime last year and everyone was looking forward to the rematch.
