J.R. Smith Dunk Contest

Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith competed in the slam dunk contest held in Phoenix, Arizona during NBA All-Star Saturday on February 14, 2009. Smith was chosen to compete as a replacement for Memphis Grizzlies player Rudy Gay who was out with a hip injury. Smith competed against defending champion Dwight Howard, as well as Rudy Fernandez of the Portland Trail Blazers and Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks.NY Daily News: Nate to Battle J.R. Smith... (February 13, 2009) During the contest, Smith scored 43 and 42 respectively in the first and second rounds and did not advance to the final round.

Smith's addition to the 2009 NBA All-Star slam dunk contest will put him face-to-face with Knicks player Nate Robinson. Smith and Robinson were at the center of a very heated brawl at Madison Square Garden in 2007.NY Daily News: Nate to battle J.R. Smith... (February 13, 2009)

I don't know what to expect. (Howard) might come from the rafters or throw on a different suit. You never know.—J.R. SmithHoopsWorld: Does J.R. Smith have... (February 13, 2009)

I don't think it's a dunking contest anymore. It's about what you do before and after the dunk. You've just to be a great thinker with it.—J.R. SmithHoopsWorld: Does J.R. Smith have... (February 13, 2009)