More from NBA All-Star Game

By Jason Yellin
ESPNET SportsZone

When Texas Tech's Darvin Ham soared high against North Carolina last March, the results was this:

"I'm ready for another smashed backboard -- big time," says the former Texas Tech star, who gained national attention by shattering a backboard in a second round NCAA Tournament game against North Carolina last March.

"I'm bringing so much power," says the 6-foot-7, 220-pound Ham. "The backboard is in trouble. I'll do my 100 push-ups right before the contest. I'm going to go out and lift some weights probably and pump up. I'm sure that I'll be feeling 100 notches higher with adrenaline at the contest.

"There's never been (a broken backboard) in a dunk contest," Ham said. "(Saturday) would be as good a time as any to do that."

However, the former Sports Illustrated cover boy almost didn't get a chance to secure his place in NBA All-Star weekend lore. He was not an original selection to this year's competition, but when Allen Iverson pulled out of the contest with a sore left shoulder on Wednesday, the NBA called Ham.

"I'm just thankful that I have this opportunity. Now I have to try and take advantage," Ham said.

Coming to the NBA straight from the United States Basketball League's Florida Sharks, Ham has been a valuable contributor to Dick Motta's club, playing about 10 minutes per game.

"I think now it's just one of those deals where I'm getting better and better," said Ham, who signed as a free agent with Denver prior to the regular season. "A lot of people were shocked with the way that I came off, winning a job in preseason. People didn't know a lot about my game, because I played down low and not that much on the perimeter. But I think I've shown a lot of people in the league that I belong in this league."

Saturday won't be Ham's first dunk contest. On the heels of his shattered backboard with the Red Raiders, he captured the Slam Dunk contest at the 1996 Final Four. This weekend, Ham plans to use the same philosophy that won him that title.

Ham

"I don't practice, and I haven't planned," he said. "I just go out there and let it all hang out. I'm ready once I hear that crowd and I see the people out there and feel the excitement that's in the air. I'm going to fly."

Although Ham is looking to perform a feat no other player has, he knows his dunks will be similar to those of past contest performers.

"It's impossible to do something that has not been done before. You have people who say let's see something new," he says. "With Dr. J., Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, you know you are going to do a dunk that has been seen before. It's just that each individual does a dunk differently. I think that's the whole key -- to being high-flying and as powerful as ever."

Even though the game's most renown dunkers such as Jordan and Shawn Kemp bypass the Dunk Contest now, Ham says the field should not be taken lightly.

"In Kobe Bryant, Michael Finley, we have some high-risers," Ham said. "Bob Sura has the home court advantage, but I'm ready to get mine."