Detroit, Feb 17: Indiana Pacer Fred Jones won the NBA slam dunk contest in the run up to the annual All-Star game.
Indiana Pacers guard Fred Jones won the NBA's slam-dunk contest on Saturday (February 14) for the first time. Golden State Warriors guard Jason Richardson looked set to triumph for the third consecutive year with an exciting display but failed with his final attempt.

Past winners of the popular contest include Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter.
Earlier, Voshon Lenard of the Denver Nuggets was the surprise winner of the three-point shootout when he defeated 2002 and 2003 champion and favorite Peja Stojakovic of the Sacramento Kings. The players fired a series of shots at the hoop with consistent accuracy.


Stojakovic, widely regarded as the league's top shooter, finished in the top two for the fourth consecutive year.


Baron Davis of the New Orleans Saints won the sports skills challenge, conquering an obstacle course designed to highlight the talents of the league's point guards.


The contests were part of the build-up for Sunday's NBA All-Star Game between teams representing the Western and Eastern conferences.


The crowd featured many celebrities including Oscar-winning actor Jack Nicholson and world heavyweight boxing champion Lennox Lewis, who announced his retirement from the ring earlier this month.


Bureau Report