Let’s face it, last year’s dunk contest was one of the worst I have ever seen. To be completely honest, Dwight Howard’s win in 2008 was the only real glimpse of what used to be one of the most anticipated events in the NBA season, since Jason Richardson won in 2003. The talent pool this year is huge, and here are a few people that I think would bring the dunk contest back to what it once was.

Blake Griffin- Who has made the highlight reel more this year than the rookie sensation Blake Griffin. When a guy hits his head up against the backboard during an in game dunk, you know he’s something special. If Blake brought Baron Davis with him to the dunk contest, he would be very hard for anyone to beat.

Shannon Brown- Everyone just loves watching Brown play. He dunks over 7-footers like it’s his job. Any guy that can take the spotlight away from Kobe Bryant with his dunks should definitely be included in this contest.

LeBron James- Ever since he entered the league, fans have been begging LeBron to participate in the dunk contest. At 6”8 and with his athleticism, LeBron will perform dunks that would make Dwight Howard’s “superman” dunk look like mere child’s play.

Derrick Rose- He’s quick, coordinated, and just flat out jumps over opposing players. During this past season, Rose has really shown NBA fans what a high-flying point guard is supposed to look like.

Josh Smith- I know he already won back in 2005, but he is still one of the top five best dunkers in the league. Hi long arms and giant hands allow him to move the ball around in  mid flight like no other player in the NBA.

The problem with having so many talented dunkers in one competition, is that it is almost impossible to accurately predict who would win such a match up. If I had to decide though, the final two dunkers would likely be LeBron and Shannon Brown. Watching big guys throw down monster jams is great and all, but watching athletic guys like LeBron and Brown throw their bodies around in mid-air just can’t be beat.

The likeliness of this group of contestants ever coming together is minimal, but the dunk contest organizers, should really watch game footage before they decide who will compete this year.