Yes, the NBA couldn't deny Zach LaVine and the Timberwolves rookie couldn't refuse the league when it came offering a place in All-Star Weekend's Saturday night slam-dunk contest.
LaVine Chosen for All-Star Slam-Dunk Contest
Wolves rookie will participate in NBA's Saturday night festivities next month
January 28, 2015 at 12:19AM
He will compete against Orlando's Victor Oladipo, Brooklyn's Mason Plumlee and Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, Plumlee's home court..
He is the sixth Wolves player chosen to compete in the contest. The others: Derrick Williams in 2012, Gerald Green in 2008, Chris Carr in 1997, Isaiah Rider in 1994 (when he won) and 1995 and Doug West in 1992.
LaVine has 17 dunks this season and recorded a 46-inch vertical leap at one of the draft workouts last summer.
"I'll have something," LaVine said recently when asked about a slam-dunk invitation.
Donovan Mitchell scored 35 points and the NBA-leading Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Indiana Pacers 127-117 on Tuesday night.
