La jornada del sábado del All Star de Dallas 2010 tenía, a priori, el concurso de mates como gran fin de fiesta. El concurso, sin embargo, pasó de puntillas, sin pena ni gloria, y con actuaciones más bien poco destacadas de todos sus participantes.

El único aliciente fue el de ver como Nate Robinson se convertía en el primer tricampeón de la historia del concurso, con el mérito que ello supone para un jugador que apenas sobrepasa el 1.70. El rookie de los Raptors, DeMar DeRozan -procedente de la ronda previa celebrada el viernes- consiguió colarse en la final al superar las mediocres actuaciones de Shannon Brown y Gerald Wallace. Sin embargo, DeRozan gastó su mejor mate en la primera ronda y no pudo competir con un Robinson más plástico y más centrado en el show que sus rivales. Tras un par de años de buenos concursos, sobretodo por la teatralidad en la que los envolvieron el propio base de los Knicks y Dwight Howard, se puede considerar el de esta edición como un fiasco. La NBA tendrá que reinventarse una vez más de cara al 2011.

La NBA dio a conocer el pasado lunes 18 de enero los participantes del NBA Sprite Slam Dunk. Para la edición de este año, que se enmarca en la celebración del All Star de Dallas 2010, se ha introducido una novedad en el sistema de competición.

En el descanso del partido de rookies, DeMar DeRozan -el rookie de los Toronto Raptors- y Eric Gordon -el sophomores de Los Angeles Clippers- se jugarán un puesto en el concurso del sábado con el público como jurado. Se podrá votar por el vencedor de esta ronda previa via NBA.com. El sábado por la noche, al que resulte elegido le estarán esperando Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats), Shannon Brown (Los Angeles Lakers) y Nate Robinson (New York Knicks).

Estos dos últimos se presentan como los favoritos para la gran mayoría, optando Kryptonate a su tercera corona como campeón. La parte mala del concurso es que, finalmente, nos hemos quedado sin un duelo Dwight Howard vs. LeBron James. Estamos ante una nueva edición de un evento mítico en la historia del All Star y de la NBA, que tiene que reinventarse cada año mientras sobrevive gracias a su leyenda.

Mientras esperamos a ver qué nos deparan los potentes dunkers que participarán este año, os dejamos algunas de las magníficas fotos en acción que Getty nos ofrece de los matadores. Son realmente espectaculares, y recordad que las podéis ver a una gran resolución haciendo clic sobre ellas

• Impresionante vuelo sin motor de Shannon Brown. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 17: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a dunk against the Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on November 17, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• Mate de espaldas de Eric Gordon. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  LOS ANGELES - MARCH 15: Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Clippers goes up for an alley-oop dunk during a game against the New Jersey Nets at Staples Center on March 15, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• Nate Robinson, en una foto promocional. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks poses with Sprite Slam Dunk trophy for a portrait during NBA All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14, 2009 at the US Airways Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images).

  

• Nate Robinson, en una foto promocional. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks poses with Sprite Slam Dunk trophy for a portrait during NBA All-Star Saturday Night as part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend on February 14, 2009 at the US Airways Arena in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images).

  

• Nate, con los pies en el tablero. Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

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  LAS VEGAS - FEBRUARY 17: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks dunks during the Sprite Slam Dunk Competition at NBA All-Star Weekend on February 17, 2007 at Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE/Getty Images)

  

• Kryptonate. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

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  PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14: Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks shows off his "Kryptonate" T-shirt as he participates in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

  

• Impresionante salto de Nate Robinson. Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  NEW YORK - JANUARY 18: Nate Robinson #2 of the New York Knicks shoots against Jason Maxiell #54 of the Detroit Pistons during the game on January 18, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2010 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• El mate más brutal de Nate Robinson. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  BOSTON - OCTOBER 09: Nate Robinson #2 of the New York Knicks dunks the ball against Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics during the game on October 9, 2009 at TD Banknorth Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The Celtics won 96-82. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• El vuelo de Nate. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

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  PHOENIX - FEBRUARY 14: Nate Robinson #4 of the New York Knicks dunks during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE/Getty Images)

  

• Molinillo de Gerald Wallace. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 15: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats goes for the dunk against the New York Knicks on December 15, 2009 at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• Gerald Wallace, sobre Lamar Odom. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 31: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats dunks against Lamar Odom #7 of the Los Angeles Lakers on March 31, 2009 at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• Mate de Gerald Wallace, desde el tablero. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  SACRAMENTO, CA - FEBRUARY 25: Gerald Wallace #3 of the Charlotte Bobcats dunks the ball against the Sacramento Kings at ARCO Arena February 25, 2009 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• Los muelles de Shannon Brown. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 11: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks agianst Wayne Ellington #19 of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on December 11, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• Shannon Brown, a una mano. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  LOS ANGELES - DECEMBER 9: Shannon Brown #12 of the Los Angeles Lakers dunks during a game against the Utah Jazz at Staples Center on December 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• DeMar DeRozan, sobre Nick Young. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  TORONTO - OCTOBER 11: DeMar DeRozan #10 of the Toronto Raptors throws down the tomahawk dunk over Nick Young #1 of the Washington Wizards during a game on October 11, 2009 at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Ron Turenne/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

• Eric Gordon mata sobre LaMarcus Aldridge. Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

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  LOS ANGELES - JANUARY 26: Eric Gordon #10 of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a dunk against LaMarcus Aldridge #12 of the Portland Trail Blazers at Staples Center on January 26, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2009 NBAE (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

  

Ahora que los habéis visto volar… ¿Quién es vuestro favorito?