VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE DUNKER!

NBA fans, if you get a second, make sure you all check out the video above and check out Nba.com/dunk. The NBA and Sprite are asking us, the fans, to select 4 finalists to compete in the Dunk Contest at the NBA All-Star Game next year. I personally can't wait to see this new twist they have added. I think it will definitely breathe some life back into the Dunk Contest, which has pretty much flat lined since the VC dunk contest years ago. I just finished voting, so I hope my guy gets in.

Anyways, here's a little bit more information about the contest...

After weeks of dunk contests, ten semifinalists have been selected from among amateur dunkers across the U.S., and it is now up to the fans to select which four dunkers will go on to compete in the first-ever Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown at NBA All-Star 2010 in Dallas, Texas.

Fans can visit NBA.com/dunk to watch dunks from each of the ten semifinalists and vote on who they think should be flown to NBA All-Star in February to compete for the chance to be crowned the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown Champion. The winner will receive a grand prize of $10,000 and will attend the Sprite Slam Dunk contest during NBA All-Star Saturday Night on Feb. 13, 2010.

Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown competitions were held in eight cities during May, June, and July at NBA Nation presented by T-Mobile and Kia Motors, the league’s touring vehicle that transforms into a 20,000-square-foot basketball playground. The competitions were open to all local dunkers, ages 18 and up, who were able to show off their dunking skills before a panel of judges at NBA Nation. One winner from each of the eight cities was selected by the fans via SMS text voting.

Fans that could not attend the NBA Nation stops were able log on to NBA.com/dunk to upload videos showcasing the best dunks. LeBron James led a panel of judges that picked two winners from among the online entries. The eight local winners from the tour combined with the two online winners to make up the group of 10 semifinalists, and now fans are being asked to narrow the group to four best-of-the-best finalists. The voting period begins today and runs through August 24, 2009.