The Knicks have some history of the smallest guy winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest and Dennis Smith Jr. is hopeful he can add to that on Saturday night.

While the 6-foot-3 guard is not quite as small as the 5-foot-9 Nate Robinson -- the last Knicks to win the contest (three times) -- he is still the smallest participant in this year's field and hopes that can work in his favor.

"I'm the smallest guy in the contest, easily," Smith told reporters on Saturday. "So I might have a slight edge in that aspect."

The 21-year-old competed in the contest last year as a rookie but was unable to make it out of the first round.

This year, however, he hopes that he and the rest of the participants can "bring back the excitement" and even evoked Robinson when reflecting on the dunk contest.

"It was one of most exciting events back in the day. Especially around the time Nate Robinson was winning it," Smith said. "It was definitely a show. We're looking forward to bringing that back tonight -- just the excitement of dunk contest."

It's New York or Nothing for @Dennis1SmithJr!

The #Knicks guard talks about participating tonight in the slam dunk contest & what it would mean for him to win in front of family in Charlotte. #NewYorkForever pic.twitter.com/SecyawdPbS
- MSG Networks (@MSGNetworks) February 16, 2019

Smith will be up against 6-foot-10 Hawks center John Collins, 6-foot-7 Hornets forward Miles Bridges and 6-foot-5 rookie Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo.

The Knicks guard is also the only dunk contest veteran in the field. Smith participated as a rookie last year but was unable to advance past the second round.

He hopes to change the course this year, especially as he gets the chance to do it in his home state of North Carolina.

"It'd be great to win it in my home state. Lot of fan love here," he said. "To win it here would be amazing."

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