Photo Credit: David Richard, USA TODAY Sports

All Star Weekend is almost here and I can hardly wait. To help get you ready for the festivities ahead, I’ll be previewing the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. So, let’s take a look.

GAME TIME & VIEWING OPTIONS

Time & Date: Sunday, February 17, 2013 12:30pm AEDT

Location: Toyota Center, Houston.

Viewing Info: Live on ESPN Australia via Foxtel and NBA League Pass. (See TV Guide for other All Star events and NBA games)

THE CONTESTANTS

The West:

• Eric Bledsoe (Los Angeles Clippers)
• Jeremy Evans (Utah Jazz)
• Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)

The East:

• Gerald Green (Indiana Pacers)
• Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)
• James White (New York Knicks)
  

The contest consists of two rounds and the dunks will be voted on by the fans once again.

The highest scorer from the East and from the West will be dwindled down to 1 overall winner. 

Let’s face the facts; in recent years the Slam Dunk Contest hasn’t lived up to the hype, bar the whole jump-over-a-car thing from Blake Griffin in 2011. This year I really think that will change.

The field is great and the players appear ready and willing to give it their best shot.

ERIC BLEDSOE

Eric Bledsoe stands at only 185cm, yet his jumping ability is among a select few. Bledsoe has had a great season with the Clippers, being the back up point guard to Chris Paul. When Paul went down with injury, Bledsoe stood up and showed he could easily start at the point for a majority of NBA teams.

See below to see an example of the absurd athleticism Bledsoe possesses.

One thing I can’t wait to find out is; will Bledsoe will be joined by his teammate Blake Griffin? It would be great to see Griffin throw an alley-oop pass to Bledsoe, instead of being on the receiving end.

I’m expecting Bledsoe to compete hard, but not quite be able to bring home the trophy.

JEREMY EVANS

We all know from last year that this man can dunk. Evans was crowned the 2012 Slam Dunk Champion with multiple big dunks. I’m expecting him to step it up again this year and provide us with even bigger dunks.

Evans isn’t posting eye-catching stat lines but he has certainly had his fair share of highlight dunks. See below to check out what I love about his game.

KENNETH FARIED

Kenneth Faried is known as ‘The Manimal’ and with good reason. This man is a machine and he’s quickly becoming one of the better power forwards in the league. He has thrown down some huge dunks this season.

Click play below to see his powerful slam against Golden State. I hope we see that kind of power on Sunday.

Faried is quite possibly the most consistent sophomore in the league. If he can show that same consistency in the dunk contest, he should be able to post very high scores and pull through to the final.

GERALD GREEN

Gerald Green is known as one of, if not THE best dunker in the NBA. He can create hang-time more than anyone to ever compete in the dunk contest. I can’t wait to see what he does in this year’s contest to get the crowd buzzing.

Click play below to see what you can expect from Green.

Green stated at the start of this season that he wanted to be known for more than just his dunking skills. Let’s be honest though, when you can jump as high as he can, people are going to focus on his dunking first and foremost.

TERRENCE ROSS

Terrence Ross has only played 50 NBA games, yet he is quickly making a name for himself as a great dunker. This man can jump, and jump he does.

Toronto fans love this man, check out the video below to see why.

Any big dunker that plays for Toronto is of course going to be compared to arguably the best dunker ever; Vince Carter. Ross has proven he is his own man though, and has taken the comparisons in his stride.

JAMES WHITE

James White is the least acclaimed player in this field, but don’t expect him to back down from the challenge. White has been in and out of the NBA since 2006, but one thing he has been able to do consistently is dunk.

Click play to see a little teaser of what you can expect from James “Flight” White

White is going to be tough to beat. He will be ready to make a name for himself on the center stage. With millions watching world-wide it’s the right time for someone to get their name out there. I can definitely see White taking this opportunity and slamming home some huge dunks.

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

LeBron James. It would be huge if LeBron showed up on the night to take a look. Everyone in the building would want to see him try his hand and make a comeback to the contest. I seriously can’t see this happening, but wouldn’t it be nice?

Surely he wouldn’t be knocked back by officials, or would he? Just keep an eye on this space.

PREDICTION

Finalists: 

West: Kenneth Faried

East: Gerald Green

My prediction is that we’ll see Kenneth Faried and Gerald Green fighting it out in the final. I think these two will pull out all their tricks and make the 2013 slam dunk contest one to remember.

Champion: Kenneth Faired

Who else could be potential winners? Could Eric Bledsoe be the next Nate Robinson?