For the first time in the 17-year history of the ‘NBA.com Slam Dunk presented by RealOne,’ NBA.com will provide basketball fans with the opportunity to serve as real judges for the competition, as a part of the site’s exclusive NBA All-Star 2002 coverage.

During NBA All-Star 2002 Saturday Night, televised live on TNT Saturday, February 9 at 8 p.m. ET, fans at home can log onto NBA.com during the NBA.com Slam Dunk presented by RealOne and provide their own score after viewing each individual dunk on television. All the scores received on NBA.com after each dunk will be calculated in real time, averaged and will count as one-fifth of the overall judging.

“The excitement of the dunk contest is a perfect way to mesh television and the Internet into a unique interactive experience for our fans,” said Brenda Spoonemore, Vice President of Internet Services for NBA Entertainment. “With the opportunity to serve as a real judge for this popular competition, fans around the world can take part in the All-Star festivities first-hand through NBA.com”

At courtside during the competition, four appointed judges will be joined by the grand prize winner of the “NBA Fantasy Live on TBS and TNT presented by Sprite” fantasy game who will serve as an honorary judge representing the combined NBA.com judging community. The honorary courtside judge will score the dunks on behalf of NBA.com fans, according to the average score voted online during the contest.