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2016 NBA All-Star Weekend Picks

By Gabriel Gonzalez

Jan 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) moves the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (right) defends during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 8, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (left) moves the ball as Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (right) defends during the third quarter at Staples Center. The Oklahoma City Thunder won 117-113. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Blake Griffin – All-Star Game / Dunk Contest

December 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Christmas at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
December 25, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (32) moves the ball against Los Angeles Lakers forward Nick Young (0) during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Christmas at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Kobe Bryant’s shift to the front-court this year makes things more difficult for another perennial All-Star in Blake Griffin.

The Clippers’ star has been out of action since Christmas and while his squad has been okay without him, his place in the standings has taken a hit.

After the second returns, it is a tall order for fifth place Griffin (298,212) to catch third place Draymond Green (332,223.)

Being off the court has undoubtedly impacted him, but he also struggles against fresh faces in Green and Kawhi Leonard (330,929) who is in fourth place.

Green has taken his game to the next level as part of the defending champion Warriors while Leonard has added a Defensive Player of the Year award to go along with his 2014 Finals MVP trophy.

While he remains among the best power forwards in the league, his health will play a big part in his participation in All-Star weekend.

This leads to his participation in the dunk contest.

No player in recent history has made more out of dunk contest appearance than Blake Griffin.

Were he not in Los Angeles and the car absent, Griffin’s simple dunk would not have won in 2011.  But the pageantry and Kia Optima that he brought that year propelled him to new heights both figuratively and literally.

Years later, Griffin’s Kia commercials are among the most played during NBA broadcasts and he is a house-hold name.

But since that year, Griffin has refused to return to the competition that made him famous.

While his name is synonymous with high-flying dunks, he has reserved his slams for actual games.

While unlikely, a return to the contest for Griffin would re-ignite interest and he would be the front-runner to win again.

Next: Lakers Youngsters Hope to Play Friday

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