NBA slam dunk contest: Jaylen Brown of the Celtics talks about his preparations.
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Jaylen Brown, who grew up in an era when dunk contests featured star players, is set to participate in this year’s event, hoping to revive the star power associated with it. As the first All-Star player in the dunk contest since Victor Oladipo in 2018, Brown acknowledges the scarcity of top players in this competition and expresses his desire for more participation from elite athletes. Despite declining invites in his rookie year (2017) and 2021, the 27-year-old believes now is his prime time and looks forward to the fun and challenge.
Having never competed in a dunk contest, Brown is already brainstorming creative ideas, acknowledging the need for uniqueness. He is open to using props and jokingly mentions teammate Jayson Tatum as a potential prop, emphasizing the importance of enjoying the All-Star weekend activities with teammates.
On a different note, Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis, not selected as an All-Star replacement, sees the silver lining in the situation. He is content with the opportunity to take a break and relax, possibly in a sunny destination like Miami, allowing him to focus on physical preparation for the postseason.
The article also touches on the departure of Lamar Stevens and Dalano Banton, traded this week, highlighting their contributions to the team despite limited on-court roles. Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla acknowledges the impact of losing players and emphasizes the business aspect of such decisions. In their place, Xavier Tillman and Jaden Springer have joined the team, adding a level of physicality and toughness, according to Jaylen Brown. The article concludes with updates on player injuries, indicating that Tillman and Springer will continue to be sidelined for the upcoming game against Miami, and Jimmy Butler is questionable for the Heat due to personal reasons.
