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Why You'll Be 'Wowed' By Knicks' Jericho Sims at Dunk Contest

Professional dunk master Chuck Millan believes this could be a life-changing weekend for the New York Knicks big man.

Geoff Magliocchetti

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You'll believe a (big) man can fly.

That's what viral sensation and dunk extraordinaire Chuck Millan believes after personally working with New York Knicks center Jericho Sims in preparation for this Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake City (8 p.m. ET, TNT). 

The 6-foot-10 Sims was a late addition to the proceedings (replacing Portland rookie Shaedon Sharpe) but has created quite a ripple in the dunking pool: oddsmakers are keen on Sims' chances of victory and now Millan is also among the believers.

“People are definitely going to be wowed by him. He’s coming right out of the gate with some stuff that hasn’t happened before. If people don’t know who Jericho Sims is, they’re gonna know on Saturday night who he is,” Millan told Peter Botte of the New York Post. "Jericho, anything you’ve seen of him, you have no idea how high this kid can really jump." 

Since its inception as an annual NBA All-Star event in 1984, the Dunk Contest has turned many players into household names, including the three champions that have brought the title home to New York. The Knicks currently host the reigning champion Obi Toppin and previously witness all three of Nate Robinson's record three titles (as well as Kenny Walker's win in 1989).

Sims' famed vertical, Millan notes, gives him a special advantage and a chance at unique NBA history. The CEO of traveling dunk show Team Flight Brothers compared Sims' aerial ability to that of legendary NBA slammer Vince Carter.  

“I can honestly say it is the highest I’ve ever seen anyone get over the rim in my life," Millan said to Botte. "Jericho has a couple of dunks that have never been done before.”

Millan is no stranger to the efforts of metropolitan dunkers, having previously worked with the victorious Toppin. The reigning winner, in fact, called upon Millan to help him win in Cleveland last season, jumping over the dunk coach with a behind-the-back slam to earn a first-round victory before besting Golden State's Juan Toscano-Anderson in the final. 

Sims is one of three Knicks stationed in Utah for the exhibition festivities: Quentin Grimes will partake in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday (9 p.m. ET, TNT) while Julius Randle will appear in the 3-Point Contest (as well as Sunday's main event) just before Sims takes to the Vivint Arena hardwood.

Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags

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Geoff Magliocchetti
GEOFF MAGLIOCCHETTI

Editor-In-Chief at All Knicks

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