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History of the Slam Dunk Contest

Will Barton is set to make his All-Star debut during the Slam Dunk Contest over the NBA All-Star 2016 Weekend. The event is part of All-Star Saturday Night set to take place on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 7:30-10:30pm EST at Air Canada Centre.

The Slam Dunk Contest is a test of athleticism, talent and style; providing fans with the thrill and excitement for which All-Star Weekend is known. Three exciting events make up All-Star Saturday night, starting with the Skills Challenge, the Three-Point Contest and ending with the Slam Dunk Contest.

The Slam Dunk Contests’ integration into All-Star Weekend originated in 1976 in Denver, Colorado at McNichols Sports Arena. During this year, Nuggets player David Thompson was one of the original five to participate in the first-ever ABA Slam Dunk Contest. The ABA and NBA were still separate entities at this point in time, but later that year merged to form one league.

Barton will be the 7th Denver Nuggets player in history to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest since the competition’s inauguration into NBA All-Star Weekend.

Barton is the 7th Denver Nuggets player in history to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest since the competition’s inauguration in 1976.

Nuggets in the Slam Dunk Competition
2013: Kenneth Faried, Houston (3rd)
2009: J.R. Smith, Phoenix (3rd)
2004: Chris Anderse , Los Angeles (3rd)
1997: Darvin Ham, Cleveland (4th)
1994: Robert Pack, Minneapolis (2nd)
1993: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Salt Lake City (6th)