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Welcome back to your Grizzlies Insider, where we deliver the latest NBA news and analysis straight from Daily Memphian staffers Drew Hill, Chris Herrington and Geoff Calkins right to your inbox.
Well, that will just about do it.
If Grizzlies fans had any hope left that star point guard Ja Morant would one day participate the dunk contest, it’s likely gone now.
The NBA held its annual All-Star festivities in Atlanta over the weekend. While Memphis fans were thrilled to see Mike Conley finally get his chance to be on the big stage — and he even gave Steph Curry a scare in the 3-point contest — they also probably cringed watching the dunks at halftime.
 Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley celebrate during the first half of basketball's NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, Sunday, March 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
It’s not because the dunk contest wasn’t entertaining, but more so because it has grown to become a watered-down version of what it once was when the league’s biggest stars participated.
This was not Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant or even Dwight Howard. It was Cassius Stanley, Anfernee Simons and Obi Toppin.
Morant has clearly recognized that.
He’s also taken note of the judging, too, which in recent years has not directly correlated with the best performances.
“The dunk contest scoring is literally never right,” Bleacher Report reporter Taylor Rooks tweeted Sunday.
To which Morant responded: “Yeahhhh reason I’m not doing it.”
So get it out of your brain, Grizzlies fans.
Ja Morant. Is. Not. Doing. The. Dunk. Contest.
He’s just not doing it.
OK, but maybe if his friend Zion Williamson joins him next year?
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