NBA All-Star weekend is one of the most exciting times of the NBA season.  The Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, as well as the actual All-Star game are usually very entertaining for the fans.

But one aspect of All-Star weekend that has been a huge letdown over the past few years has been the dunk contest.

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, stars like Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins regularly headed the dunk contest lineup and always put on a show for the fans.  Even more recently, prolific dunkers like Vince Carter and Nate Robinson have made regular appearances in the event.

But the last two dunk contests have been incredibly disappointing.  The last two winners were Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz in 2012 and Terrence Ross of the Toronto Raptors in 2013.  While some may recognize these names, most casual NBA fans do not.  And the purpose of NBA All-Star weekend is just that — to attract fans.

Finally, it seems as though the NBA has realized how badly the dunk contest needs big-name talent.  This year’s contest, scheduled to take place during All-Star Weekend in New Orleans from Feb. 14 to Feb. 16., will feature Paul George, John Wall, Damian Lillard, defending champion Terrence Ross, Harrison Barnes and Ben McLemore.

This lineup provides a good mix of established stars and stars on the rise.  George has proven himself to be one of the best scorers in the NBA, while Wall is one of the most productive point guards in the league.  Lillard, Ross, Barnes and McLemore are some of the most exciting young players in the league, whom fans will surely be excited to see participate.

In addition to the announced participants in the contest, a new dunk contest format has anticipation building.  In the new format, the six dunkers will be separated into two teams: East and West.  Each team will participate in the “freestyle” round, in which the players will dunk in a style similar to that of a layup line with each dunker taking a turn until the clock runs out.  The team that wins the “freestyle” round will then get to choose the three head-to-head matchups for the next round, called the “battle” round.  Once a dunker loses his head-to-head matchup, he will be eliminated.  Whichever team wins three head-to-head matches first will be crowned champion.

This new format is drastically different than past years, and it will be interesting to see how it works out.  But that is exactly what the dunk contest needs — something fresh and new.

In 2012 and 2013, we have seen the likes of Chase Budinger, Derrick Williams and James White participate in the dunk contest on All-Star weekend.  Finally, this season, fans will be able to watch some talented, all-star caliber players fly through the air and create the next great dunk contest memory.

The 3-point shooting competition and skills challenge have overshadowed the dunk contest since Blake Griffin miraculously dunked over a Kia Optima to win the event in 2011.

Now, in 2014, with a star-studded lineup and new format, the dunk contest is once again front and center on NBA All-Star weekend.