Which is better?

by luv4cubs2 on Jul 9, 2007 2:50 PM CDT

I just watched 1st and 10 on ESPN and they had a discussion on which contest is better, the Home Run Derby or the Slam Dunk Contest. I assume not everyone saw the conversation, and also I'm sure people have differing points of views. I know this is a baseball site and some opinions will be skewed, but I want to know the different reasons why.

Poll

Which is better?

MLB Home Run Derby

36 votes

NBA Slam Dunk Contest

10 votes

46 votes | Poll has closed

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Comments

I'm not a fan of either one

It would be interesting if you put a third "neither" option. Could be that I'm alone thinking both are farces (the good true dunkers never compete, same for many of the home run hitters), but if I am, so be it.

Santo Forever!

by BeerCub on Jul 9, 2007 3:01 PM CDT reply actions

You actually watch that show?

I've seen glimpses of it and that's about all I can stand. ESPN is horrible. SportsCenter now has some contest about who is more Now? When are they going to start reporting on the latest Paris Hilton sightings?

by rlpete on Jul 9, 2007 3:09 PM CDT reply actions

haha

im glad someone brought that up. the espn, "who is more NOW" could be the most ridiculous thing that station has ever done, i mean honestly, arguing who's "cooler" basically, and then citing, "he has been seen with lindsay lohan" are you kidding?

i was going to change the channel, but then it was too funny, so i laughed for a few more minutes until it became unbearable.

yeah its not a true test of who the best home run hitters are, but i still think its fun to watch players just goofing off, having fun, and cranking some serious shots in the home run derby. its just mindless entertainment, and thats fine with me.

DON'T TRADE PIE!

by kylejo on Jul 9, 2007 3:24 PM CDT up reply actions

First and Ten

I never thought it could get worse than Woody Paige and Skip Bayless, but the Two Live Stews who replaced Paige on 1st and Ten are the worst. They make Skip look rational; they know nothing about baseball. One of them argued that Barry Bonds wasn't worthy of being the Giants lone all-star based on him having 100 less ABs than some of his teammates. Regardless of your opinion of Barry, this was ridiculous considering how many more walks he had than said teammates. And this was one of their more rational comments. Seriously painful stuff!

"Something has to give and since there aren't 8 or 9 pitchers sitting around on the trade market, I think it has to be El Suckerpuncho." - TMOX, 6/14/07

by TMOX on Jul 9, 2007 7:12 PM CDT up reply actions

The 3-point contest

is more akin to the HR contest, because they both require a certain amount of skill. Dunking the ball requires an ability - and is aided by being 6 1/2 feet tall or more - but not much skill. Personally, I find the slam dunk contest absurd; there is very little entertainment to take from it out of the context of an actual game.

"Mine, mine, says the squirrel to the transformer, unclear on the capacities of electricity." -Dean Young

by Kegler on Jul 9, 2007 3:10 PM CDT reply actions

I think they both stink

The beauty of the Home Run (or a slam dunk, for that matter) isn't just being able to belt one out in perfect conditions - aka, batting practice - it's being able to show that raw skill of power in a game situation against an opposing pitcher trying his damndest to get you out.

Go Nebraska Football!

by sanantonecub on Jul 9, 2007 3:26 PM CDT reply actions

Which one is more likely to have the stars?

The HR contest will have Pujols tonight, but he's off his game lately.

It'll also have Fielder, who's leading the NL in homers.

How often do the stars in the NBA participate in the Dunk contest? Not too often. Kobe's done it like once. Don't think LeBron or Wade has done it. Oh, there are some good dunkers who do it, but when Tyrus Thomas is invited and says he's only doing it for the money, it gives you an idea of what many of these guys think of the skills contests.

Also, the NBA dunk contest has way too many missed dunks where guys get zero points. In the HR contest, even the worst tend to hit a few, and the winners often hit 20+, meaning you get to see a lot of BIG homers, and a bunch of "will it make it" homers. Plus, theoretically they're trying harder on the last ball because of the Century 21 donations last year.

The NBA guys put in some more style, but the HR Derby has more substance.

by HanOfTheBluegrass on Jul 9, 2007 3:27 PM CDT reply actions

Wasn't Gilbert Arenas in the dunk contest?

If it has Agent Zero in it, I'm all for it.

FREE CARMEN PIGNATIELLO!

by cwyers on Jul 9, 2007 5:15 PM CDT up reply actions

ESPN Article

I think that they need to shorten the contest a little bit and implement at least 2 or 3 of the suggestions written in the article. Interesting MLB read on a boring day:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/allstar07/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=2929740&camp aign=rss&source=MLBHeadlines

There's always next year.

by BJ Simpson on Jul 9, 2007 3:29 PM CDT reply actions

The current answer is HR Derby

The slam dunk contest used to be something special, but now it is just boring. You hardly ever have any of the top talent participating. Also, I have issues with any sport or contest that is scored by judges and is not objective. A home run is a home run. But if you are judging the dunk contest, do you give more points for trying a more difficult or innovative dunk, or for stellar execution of something that's been done before? Do you give a 5'10" guard more points for executing a dunk than a 6'8" small forward?

The dunk contest is played out - it has sort of a been-there done-that air to it. I agree with Bill Simmons that the NBA should do a game of H-O-R-S-E instead - now that would be interesting.

I think MLB should also come up with a new event, though I'm not sure what it should be. Any suggestions?

by SuperContext on Jul 9, 2007 4:22 PM CDT reply actions

i second

the addition of a thrid, "neither" option. these "skills" competitions are ludicrous, boring, overhyped, alpha-male melodramas. when you don't have to dribble to the basket and face up say, the admiral in his prime to dunk the ball, it's not a dunk "contest," it's a showboat contest. like sanantonecub said, pujols can hit 50 homers tonight. the most impressive display of power skills i've seen from him was him turning around a brad lidge heater for a 400+ ft homer in the playoffs. oooohhh, watch huge men hit batting practice fasballs into the stands. it's a farce. even the three point competition is a laugher. how does this demonstrate a skill? a guy can hit wide-open jumpers within a given time period. i'm supposed to be impressed? he's A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE. he should be able to accomplish this task with ease. moreover, these competitions overemphasize individual aspects of team-centered sports.

and ESPN is going to hire carson daly any day now, because they're basically an MTV for sports fans.

"One thing you learn as a Cubs fan: When you bought your ticket, you could bank on seeing the bottom of the ninth." - Joe Garagiola

by gary varsho on Jul 9, 2007 9:07 PM CDT reply actions