Inglewood, California — Jace Richardson may play in the NBA, but he’s like every other 20-year-old in America in one key way: His eyes roll into his head every time his dad gives him advice.
It doesn’t matter, Jace’s father is Jason Richardson, a 13-year NBA veteran.
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This week is a little different, though, because Jase is in Saturday Night All-Star AT&T Slam Dunk Contest – His father won a race. twice.
“He’s listening to me. It’s like the first time in 20 years that he’s actually listening to what I have to say basketball-wise,” Jason told NBC Sports with a laugh. “So him asking me questions and coming up with a game plan was actually pretty cool.”
“I think that advice, I have to be all ears and listen to any input that I can,” Jess added. “Especially when you have someone in your family who has won what you’re about to do twice in a row. So absolutely, all ears.”
fatherly advice
What’s that advice?
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“Most of his advice is more about the thought process,” Jess said. “There’s been a lot of dunks since he’s been in the dunk contest, so you can come up with a lot of new things. So that’s basically my approach, just enjoy it. I think those are the two things he really told me to focus on.”
When Jason gives his son advice, he gives real-world examples, like being prepared for the adrenaline rush that made his iconic dunk in Atlanta in 2003 possible.
“My dunk in Atlanta, the reverse dunk between the legs on the baseline — I couldn’t do that in practice,” Jason said. “I practiced for a few days before the dunk contest, but I just couldn’t get it right. I tried three or four times.
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“But I knew that once I got into a dunk contest, my adrenaline would be so high and I would jump like crazy and it would be an easy dunk. When it came time to dunk, I did it. I honestly have never done a dunk like that again in my life.”
Generational connection between Jason and Jase draws attention AT&T and its connectivity planscelebrating the 150th anniversary of the first telephone call. AT&T is now sponsoring Jase and Jason’s participation in this event.
Jase went all out, including dunking on a special blue AT&T ball.
“I actually used it on all four of my dunks — I would say, very blue,” Jayce said with a laugh. “But, you know, it’s a super cool ball that I can have later in life and look back and remember the dunk contest.”
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surprise invitation
Father and son were surprised when Jess got the call and was asked to do dunk contest — He has just four dunks in a game this season, and the 6-foot-1 guard wasn’t considered a high-flying dunker at Michigan State.
“Oh, 100 percent. I never thought I would be in the slam dunk contest,” Jayce said. “I was definitely shocked and surprised when I was asked. But, I mean, it’s also a great opportunity to hang out during All-Star weekend.”
Of course, Dad has advice on how to overcome this problem.
“You have to capture the element of surprise and you have to get it right on the first try. That will never change…” Jason said. “I think the key to being in a dunk contest is always to get every dunk on the first try and get people on my side.”
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Jayce may not be a high-level dunker, but he has always been a fan of dunk contests.
“I think for me, [I watched] A lot of Zach LaVine. I remember watching the 2016 Slam Dunk Contest and just being in awe,” Jayce said, recalling the back-and-forth between LaVine and Aaron Gordon. “I think the other guy that really stood out to me was Vince Carter. I feel like his dunk contest really, really made the game what it is, and I feel like his dunk contest will always be special. “
Jayce has been getting advice from everyone, not just his dad — teammates, former Slam Dunk Contest participants, coaches, old teachers — and he said he soaked it all up to try to find the right spark of creativity.
Neither Jace nor Jason said whether their father would be involved in Jace’s dunk on Saturday night. But one thing is for sure:
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Jason will make sure Jase is ready.
