Celtics’ Brown Joining High-Flyers Club?
Jaylen Brown is considering following in the footsteps of the great Celtics dunkers.
The All-Star Weekend Slam Dunk Contest is rich in Celtics’ history.
In 1991, 6-1 point guard Dee Brown defeated power dunker Shawn Kemp in the final round with a no-look dunk, taking home the trophy.
A decade and a handful later, in 2007, Gerald Green brought home the trophy in one of the most entertaining dunk contests in dunk contest history.
He faced off against the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard, the New York Knicks’ Nate Robinson and the Chicago Bulls’ Tyrus Thomas, and defeated them all with high-flying, creative slams.
However, despite bringing glory home to the organization, Green didn’t encourage any future Celtics’ players to compete in the contest as he was the last one, even with Boston rostering some awesome in-game dunkers in subsequent years (i.e. Jeff Green).
But it looks like Jaylen Brown might be breaking this cycle of nonviolence(-ly dunking in the dunk contest).
According to Shams Charania, Brown is “seriously considering” showing off his creative rim-rocking skills at this year’s dunk contest.
Via NBC Sports:
“Sources tell me Boston Celtics All-NBA All-Star Jaylen Brown is seriously considering participating in the Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star weekend this month.”
If Brown does compete, he’ll join the likes of Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Dwight Howard, who all participated in both the Slam Dunk Contest and the All-Star Game.
Though, just because he’s a superstar, it doesn’t mean a victory is guaranteed.
Last year’s dunk champ, Mac McClung, is expected to return and go for the back-to-back championship title, joining the likes of Dunk Gods Jason Richardson, Nate Robinson and Zach LaVine.
At the time of this writing, Brown has made 58 dunks this season.