George has big plans for Slam Dunk Contest

ORLANDO, Fla. (WISH) - Paul George is typically one of the most open, easygoing players you can find in an NBA locker room. Just don't ask the Pacers guard to tell you his plans for the Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando on Saturday night.

"I can't tell you. I can't tell you nothing," George said firmly, shaking his head. "I got to keep it all concealed so nobody will know."

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There is at least one other person who knows for sure what's in store: George's teammate Roy Hibbert, who will play in his first NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. He’s using most of his free time this weekend to give George a hand.

"The past couple days I've been trying to help Paul with his dunks. He's got something for us," the Pacers center said. "I was there last night watching him practice, and there's so much dunk detail that went into every dunk. He's thought this through and has a game plan. Just get ready to get your mind blown."

Former Big Ten Player of the Year Evan Turner also chimed in, predicting George will walk away a champion - one way or another.

"Whatever he does, it's going to be legit," Turner said. "And if he doesn't win the dunk contest he'll win the dance contest for sure."

Despite the fact George will be the heavy favorite to win, not everyone is ready to hand over the grand prize just yet.

"I'm predicting him to lose," said Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward, who will be rooting for his own teammate Jeremy Evans on Saturday night.

"I'm just delivering the facts," Hayward said with a smile.

But George remained unfazed by Hayward's modest trash talk.

"I guess it's the most political thing for him to say. But deep down I know he's rooting for me," George said.

The Sprite Slam Dunk Contest is set for 8 p.m. Saturday at the Amway Center in Orlando.