MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is Saturday night, and that means the Timberwolves' Zach LaVine has a chance to defend his title.

The contest is part of a weekend showcasing young talent, and part of an event LaVine relishes for his second year.

Last year's contest was his chance to prove his worth as a rookie -- and prove it he did.

"It's fun," he said. "Go out there and put out a show, support your teammates that are out there with you and have fun with your family."

The weekend is also a chance for LaVine and the rest of the Timberwolves to recuperate and regroup.

"Yeah, the All-Star break -- you got that 7 or 8 days off," LaVine said. "I really don't think we need one. We're young enough to be alright."

For the All-Star weekend participants on the team, it's even less of a break. Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell knows from experience.

"I've been a part of All-Star weekend," he said. "With the players, they've got them doing so much stuff -- so much PR stuff and so much charitable stuff."

But this is where the young Wolves team can see up close what it looks like to be in the NBA elite -- a prospect not too far away for some of the team.

"You meet everybody -- All-Stars, people around the league," LaVine said. "Me, Andrew, Gorgui and Shabazz had a good time at the game."