LOS ANGELES – For the first time since 2019-20, the Los Angeles Lakers have a participant for the Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in the form of big man Jackson Hayes. Dwight Howard competed in the championship for the last time in his lone season with the Lakers. Howard did not advance to the final round that season, with Derrick Jones Jr. taking home the hardware.
Jackson Hayes is the sixth Lakers player to be selected for the Slam Dunk Contest, but only Kobe Bryant has won the marquee event of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Hayes is now attempting to become the second player in franchise history to bring home the trophy.
Over the past few seasons, the Slam Dunk Contest has come under increased scrutiny from fans, media, and players alike, and the contest has lost some of its luster compared to previous years. But for Hayes, he's just trying to go out there and have fun, and try to bring excitement back to the competition.
"I want to bring as much fun and life back to this competition," Hayes said during his media availability session. "Me and the guys were talking about it, we just want to make it a show. Just try to bring the dunk contest back in the best way possible, just go all out and have fun, and make it entertaining for people to watch."
Hayes has wowed fans with some impressive dunks in games this season. He is good for Luka Doncic in almost every game. But the one that stood out so far this season was his Eastbay dunk, which he threw down during the Lakers' win against the Chicago Bulls on January 26.
The inspiration for that dunk came when Hayes' Lakers teammates made fun of him for throwing an ambiguous dunk on a fastbreak.
Hayes said, "At the beginning of the game my teammates were making fun of me. I had a fastbreak and I just did a simple two-handed dunk. Not hanging on the rim or anything, just dropping it in." "Everyone was teasing me, they were all messing with me. I got a steal late in the game and I was just remembering the guys who were teasing me earlier and making fun of me, so I was like, 'Okay I'll do something.'
As far as Hayes' production for the Lakers, he has been one of the team's most consistent players this season with his energy and effort. He has appeared in 45 games, including seven starts, at a pace of just over 17 minutes per game. He is averaging 6.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.0 assists while shooting 77.2 percent from the field.
