Griffin Takes Home Slam Dunk Contest
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Blake Griffin leaped over a car and threw down a two-handed dunk to the accompaniment of a gospel choir, winning the slam dunk contest in iconic style before his hometown fans on All-Star Saturday.
The Los Angeles Clippers rookie caught a pass out of the sunroof from teammate Baron Davis and easily cleared the 2011 Kia Optima's hood while the Crenshaw Select Choir sang "I Believe I Can Fly" at midcourt.
The inventive slam drove home the obvious point of the All-Star weekend's silly Saturday: Griffin has both the raw athleticism and the showtime flair to be the NBA's next big star.
Finalist Javale McGee of Washington and Toronto's DeMar DeRozan didn't stand a chance despite their own inventive dunks at Staples Center.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
