Miami Heat: Caleb Martin Deserves 2022 NBA Dunk Contest Bid

Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Dwight Howard #39 of the Los Angeles Lakers defends against Caleb Martin #16 of the Miami Heat(Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
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Miami Heat
Miami Heat forward Caleb Martin (16) shoots the basketball against the Washington Wizards(Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports)

It’s as much as you could ask for a 26-year-old guard with hopes of being converted to a standard NBA contract later this season and adding punctuation to his case, he’s excelling in that role with some outstanding plays.

Most frequently for the Miami Heat’s iteration of a Martin Twin, he’s emerged as a highlight dunker.

Standing at 6’5 with a 6’10” wingspan, Martin has the prototypical frame for an NBA athlete, which he’s immediately shown here in the first handful of games in Miami.

He recorded a 36.5 vertical at the 2018 NBA Draft Combine, which is still 8.5 inches more than the average vertical for NBA players — 28 inches.

Regardless, he’s compounded that awesome amount of length with an uncanny ability to fly. Martin takes off from a couple of feet from the painted area, extends to finish in the lane, and holds no regard for challenging rim protectors.

As he’s done it consistently and in an exciting manner, he should be earning votes and the eyes of those that matter in order to participate in a certain festivity at 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend — The NBA Slam Dunk Contest.