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Dunk you very much

E-mail|Link|Comments (0) Posted by Jesse Nunes February 18, 2007 02:04 AM

Let me start by saying that if you said to me in October that the highlight of the Boston Celtics' 2006-07 season would be a win in the Dunk Contest, I would have punched myself in the face, broken-glass-on-the-fist Bloodsport style.

That said, I can't believe how nervous and excited I was before Gerald Green took to the floor in front of the world representing the men in green.

I don't normally get too pumped up for these subjective displays of showmanship – I don't actually remember Ricky Davis competing as a Celtic in the 2004 edition of this contest, even though I'm sure I watched – but this was different.

Sure, Gerald took a peek at the rim emulating Dee Brown's 1991 dunk, but then again Dee wasn't jumping over his competition. (AP Photo)

Photo gallery

Unlike Dee Brown in 1991 and Davis in 2004, these Celtics are obviously not headed to the playoffs. It is not just a small diversion from an otherwise more meaningful season. For us, this is the apex, the last time this year that the words "Boston Celtic" and "champion" will be uttered in the same sentence. Even Greg Minor couldn't bring that consolation in the dunk contest for woeful 1995-96 C's. But Gerald Green is no Greg Minor.

(I hope.)

So anyway, pardon me for standing and applauding at my TV during Gerald's performance in this event.

Gerald definitely was the talk of Vegas – and the NBA world – for at least a day, and even though we had to endure endless "well, the Celtics finally won something!" jokes, it was a much-needed respite from this disappointing season.

In the grander scheme of things, Gerald's performance in the 2007 NBA dunk contest was meaningful for the following two reasons:

1) Confidence

In my opinion, the biggest problem Gerald has faced this season has been a battle with his own brain on the court. Too often, he second-guesses himself – on defense and offense – and when he does, he wilts like a rose three weeks after Valentine's Day. If he's not on early, he's not on at all. He defers way too much on the court, and too often doesn't seem to trust his own ability or understanding of the team’s sets.

What second-year wing player out of high school wouldn't? But still, for a guy with his natural athletic ability and deadeye mid-range and long-range jump shots, the bar should be pretty high. The reason it isn't is because half the time he doesn't carry himself as if he belongs on the court. He's almost in awe half the time.

With all the press and attention and accolades he'll receive in the wake of his dunk contest victory – a victory given to him by vote from guys he surely idolized growing up in Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Dominique Wilkins and Dr. J. – maybe he'll reach the level in his own mind where he knows he belongs on the court, at all times and in all situations. Sure, he's still got an incredible amount of learning to do in NBA basketball, but a little bit of confidence on the court can go a long way in accelerating the learning process.

2) Value

I know, the last thing you probably want to think about right now is Gerald Green on another team. But this is the truth: With the exposure and marketability Gerald has gained with his win in the dunk contest, he is now more desirable to other teams than he was two weeks ago. If Danny Ainge views his roster as a collection of "chips," then Gerald went in as a quarter in the NBA slot machine and came out three kings.

If the Celtics are serious about making a trade for a good veteran, and if the rumors that Al Jefferson is untouchable are to be believed, and if the C's rightfully would never give up a top-three pick in next years' draft -- then Gerald is now the $1,000 chip in play.

I'm not saying I advocate trading Gerald – even before his dunk contest win I've been intrigued by him as a player as well as a person – but the simple fact that his notoriety and recognition has increased with his dunk contest win, and that can only be a good thing for the Celtics, whether they keep him or move him.

But future implications aside, it was nice to just see a Celtic get something positive out of this season. There's still plenty of games left to be played – games that we may still yet learn a lot about this roster before the ping pong odds are calculated – but young Gerald showed himself well at All-Star weekend, and us Celtics fans will take anything we can get right now.

More dunk notes:

To me, the most impressive of Gerald's dunks was his first one, when Paul Pierce bounced the ball off the side off the backboard and Gerald caught it for a two-handed windmill jam. The Dee Brown impersonation over the non-cardboard Nate Robinson was phenomenal as well, and Gerald sold it well when he decided to box the backboard support, but the fact that he uncovered his eyes and took a peak at the rim a split second before sending it through was a bit of a detraction. Gerald's final dunk – the windmill jam over the table – got him all 10s from the judges, but still wasn't as impressive as his off-the-side catch and finish, although I thought the TV camera angle may have detracted somewhat from the fluidity and power of that final windmill jam.

Nate Robinson's opening dunk was the second-most impressive dunk of the competition (off the bounce, one-hand follow jam) if only because of the style – legs akimbo and smooth finish. I don't have a problem with him beating Dwight Howard for the last spot in the finals – Dwight's sticker-on-the-backboard performance was much more creative and hilarious, but the actual dunk part wasn't as impressive, and the dunking is key in any "dunk competition."

None of the TNT announcers noticed, but Gerald's No. 2 headband was a nice, subtle tribute to the late Red Auerbach (who has the number 2 retired by the C's in his honor). As much as I would have enjoyed seeing Gerald lighting a cigar after his final dunk, it wouldn't have seemed right to emulate Red during a mostly meaningless dunk competition. Red liked winning basketball games, not dunk contests. The No. 2 headband was the perfect tribute, and even better because no one seemed to notice.

Nate Robinson was a great sport in stepping in for the cardboard cutout of himself for Gerald's Dee Brown impersonation, but it still doesn't make me hate him any less. In fact, by two least favorite NBA players choked on All Star Saturday: Nate barely beat the "Nate Robinson rule" to get his last dunk in – which was pretty embarrassing – and Kobe Bryant choked hard during the "skills" competition, where it took him five tries to pass a pass through a target. It was more satisfying than it should have been watching those guys choke.

I'll admit, I was worried about Gerald's prospects for winning the dunk contest when all the Saturday participants were announced at the opening ceremonies. First of all, Gerald must have somehow unknowingly switched positions with Tyrus Thomas during introductions, which lead to the two being awkwardly announced out of order. Then, after Gerald's name was announced, he appeared to be trying to say something to Thomas, although Thomas was deep in discussion with Dwight Howard, so Gerald was up there looking like he was talking to himself. Then, after all the guys were introduced, Thomas, Howard and Robinson all busted into what seemed to be a coordinated slow-mo shimmy while Gerald stood there, realized he was the only guy not dancing, and did a halfhearted shake before the four descended the stairs off the stage. It looked like Gerald was overwhelmed by the experience. As it turns out, I guess he wasn't.

Seeing Paul Pierce so enthusiastically support Gerald during the dunk contest was incredibly refreshing. Paul seems to really take to the big brother role with Gerald – which makes me wonder how he'd react to the C's trading Gerald for the veteran All Star he's been openly pining for.