Jaxson Hayes, Los Angeles Lakers
As the NBA gets ready for All-Star Weekend, invites for events have finally started going out. Earlier today, we got the first inkling of who we’ll be seeing for All-Star Saturday night. The dunk contest is always a crowd pleaser, and while Mac McClung will not be defending his 3-peat, we do finally have candidates.
Jaxson Hayes, the backup big man for the Los Angeles Lakers will be making his debut in the contest. We’re only a few days removed from him throwing down an Eastbay dunk, originally made famous by Isaiah Rider in the 1994 contest.
Additionally, Hayes has been playing better basketball of late. The fall of Deandre Ayton has coincided with his rise in playing time and opportunities. As a big lob threat, he has fit snugly since the team brought in Luka Doncic at last year’s deadline.
Does Hayes have a chance to win the contest? Let’s get into it.
Jaxson Hayes Set for First Dunk Contest Appearance
Jaxson Hayes last appeared at All-Star Weekend during the Rising Stars event in the early part of his career with the New Orleans Pelicans. Now, he’s back and hoping to leave with some hardware for the trophy case.
Hayes and Spurs rookie big man Carter Bryant both accepted invitations earlier today to partake in the event, per NBA reporter Shams Charania. A couple of high-flyers that will be lookign to rise up and jam that thing through.
For Hayes, he is nothing if not an explosive dunker. The issue for past centers (aside from Dwight Howard) has been trying to mix originality and do more than just be tall and dunk with ferocity.
To get a better idea of that the big fella can bring, enjoy an 11-minute dunk reel of his, linked here and visible underneath this paragraph. Hayes is somebody that knows how to throw down posters and get the crowd into the game. This is a player that at 25 years of age, is nothing if not a show-stopper when he can rise above.
The above shows more recent jams from Hayes. The below video, also linked here, will show 21 of his Pelicans dunks from before his 21st birthday.
Hayes of course, is one of only two out who have committed to the event. He will surely have a chance, but we’ll have to see who the other two who join are.
Superstars have not been dunking in the contest for a very long time. This is a sentiment that may hold true once more this season.
Jaxson Hayes Playing Good Ball for Lakers
Now in his this year in LA, Jaxson Hayes has cemented himself as the primary backup big man once more. He’s been averaging similar numbers to last year, finishing effectively near the rim. A 77% FG shooter than primarily dunks and tosses a few close floaters, Hayes has played his role well.
He hasn’t come into any games and fully dominated, but he has remained steady. The dunking ability has been on display throughout this campaign, and will likely continue to be something we’ll see a lot of.
As the year continues for the Lakers, it’s worth keeping an eye on him. The team could opt to make some deadline moves, so we’ll see what that might mean for his spot in the rotation.
For now, get ready to watch Hayes throwing down mammoth jams right in LA.