LOS ANGELES — It was meant to be the coronation of a new Verizon Slam Dunk champion as Dallas Mavericks rookie point guard Dennis Smith Jr. attempted to make his name forever cemented in NBA All-Star Weekend lore. Instead, after finishing in third place, Smith completed a successfully All-Star Weekend with a respectable night.
Becoming just the third player in team history to compete in the annual slam dunk contest, Smith joined the likes of Tony Dumas and Michael Finley. Smith also become the first Mav to compete in the dunk contest since Finley finished third in Cleveland back in 1997.