Round One
The Thunder participants get to decide the order among themselves. This seems risky, but everyone is in high spirits and amped for the contest. They naturally make the rookie Ferguson go first. George wants to go next and Russell Westbrook wants to go last, so Grant falls into third.
The rookie is nervous and misses his first attempt, trying to oop himself off of the backboard for a between the legs slam. He completes it on is second attempt and Rumble the Bison falls out of his chair. Missing likely kept him from all 10s, but Ferguson still gets a 47.
Paul George plays it a little cool and misses on his first attempt as well, mistiming a self-tossed oop. He also succeeds on his second attempt, snagging the ball with two hands, pumping low and finishing behind his head. Good for 46, with judge Nate Robinson showing an 8. He could do that dunk at 5-foot-9 – it makes sense.
So far so entertaining..
It might be in Grant’s best interest to be conservative and try to get one down on his first attempt to stand out. He does just that and throws down a two-hand windmill. Solid, but not flashy, so he earns 45.
Westbrook is looking much more at ease than he is at most OKC Thunder games, laughing and joking around. He botches his first two attempts ooping himself off the side of the glass. The smile fades and he throws down one of his typical angry one-handed sledgehammers. Fun, but we see it every game. 45 even with Rumble’s generous 10.
Ferguson barely in the lead, the first round closes. Ibaka yawns, but everyone else appears to be having a great time. Next round, the participants have to use a teammate.