Iman Shumpert Withdraws from Dunk Contest; Jeremy Lin Tribute Dunk Canceled

Knicks guard Iman Shumpert has withdrawn from this weekend's All-Star dunk contest due to an injury. He has missed the Knicks' last two games due to patellar tendinitis in his right knee.

Shumpert had planned to pay tribute to his teammate Jeremy Lin during the contest by leaping over a couch. Lin famously slept on Landry Fields' couch the night before his first big game with the Knicks back on February 4.

Utah Jazz forward Jeremy Evans will replace Shumpert in what is easily the most anonymous dunk contest field in recent memory. The other competitors are Houston forward Chase Budinger, Indiana's Paul George and Minnesota's Derrick Williams.

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Dunk Contest Participants Announced, NBA Fans Stifle Yawns

The participants for this year's all-star weekend slam dunk contest were announced today. And that strange sound you heard at about 10:30 this morning was a massive, collective yawn from NBA fans worldwide.

This year's contest will feature rookies Iman Shumpert of the Knicks and Derrick Williams of the T-Wolves, Indiana's Paul George, and Houston's Chase Budinger. How weak is that field? Jeremy Lin's participation - as a helper to his teammate Shumpert - appears to be the biggest selling point in the NBA's planned promotions.

In reality, the NBA missed a major opportunity by leaving Lin's name off the roster for the Rookie/Sophomore game, which is where his participation would have made the most sense. I still have a sneaking suspicion that the league will find some way to add Lin to the mix for that event.

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Point 3 Basketball's "Do You Love the Game" Contest

The folks at Point 3 Basketball are giving away a basketball dream weekend in Atlanta. The winner will receive tickets to a NCAA Tournament regional finals, an Atlanta Hawks game, a private basketball clinic with a professional trainer and $200 worth of gear.

The only down side? The Hawks will be playing the Nets.

To enter, you just have to "Like" the Point 3 Facebook page and give one sentence as to why you love basketball.

(While you're in the neighborhood, you could hit my Facebook page as well...)

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