With the HR Derby tonight, what better time than to ask the age old question: Home Run or Slam Dunk? Both acts can bring any crowd to their feet. Both competitions have left us with sporting memories that can last a lifetime. Everyone from Sosa and McGwire to Jordan and Wilkins and new stars such as Hamilton and Howard have showcased their talents on their sports' biggest stage. But which All-Star showcase event is better, dunk contest or derby?
In terms of a better show, and a more exciting night, NBA All-Star Weekend slam-dunks the competition (too easy of a pun?) . Sure, Josh Hamilton's show last year was impressive, but do you remember who won the HR Derby last year? Of course not. (Leave a comment with the answer and win a prize!) The Slam Dunk Contest and All-Star Saturday is a much better show than the derby for many reasons:
1. A Matter of Time - The entire HR derby lasts upwards of 3 hours. I have enjoyed the great individual performances over the years, but do I also want to sit through batters that "wait for their pitch" and hit 3 HR's in a round? By the time the finals come around at 12:30 at night, I'm ready to see a pickle or stolen base competition instead. The dunk contest is done in a reasonable amount of time, and comes at the end of an evening filled with other interesting competitions which keeps the NBA's All-Star showcase fresh.
2. Anticlamacticism - We remember performances like Sosa, McGwire, and Hamilton...but who won those years? Do we remember? Do we care? The HR Derby winner means absolutely nothing beyond the night it happens. The contest is traditionally an anticlimactic affair with an ending that does the showcase little justice. With the NBA's Slam Dunk Contest, the event usually comes down to the final dunk and the winner of the event is usually always the star of the show.
3. Chris Berman - Berman has the ability to drag any event's watchability down to the level of shows like Daisy of Love or Dance Your @$$ Off. There's only so many times you can hear "back, back, back" and his overdone schtick. On the other hand, Kevin Harlan, Charles Barkley, and Kenny Smith are some of the best in the business and greatly help the enjoyment levels of All-Star Saturday Night.
4. Atmosphere - The Slam Dunk crowd is filled with rabid NBA fans and other players who all get jacked up for the biggest dunks. There is nothing better than seeing Shaq or Lebron rise out of their seats in awe, even if it is Nate Robinson or Freddie Jones. Compare this scene to the HR derby where players are seated around the diamond looking on disinterested at best. The greater derby crowd is usually half asleep by the time the actual derby concludes as well.
Do you agree with these reasons? Or do you firmly believe that everyone digs the long ball and the Derby is better entertainment? Perhaps there are some NHL diehards out there as well. Leave your feedback and let RSS know what you think.
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