LOS ANGELES - As practice wrapped up at the Lakers facility in L. Bill Bates Cowboys Jersey .A. on Thursday, Terrence Ross hung around to work on his aerial acrobatics with the assistance of teammate DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan threw the Raptors sophomore and reigning NBA Slam Dunk champion lobs off the side of the backboard, he tossed bounce passes and threw alley-oops. Ross experimented with a variation of finishes. As it turns out, they could both use the practice. The Raptors duo will take part in State Farm All-Star Saturday Night - taking place in New Orleans on Feb. 15 - as Ross returns to defend his title in the Sprite Slam Dunk competition and DeRozan will make an unexpected appearance in the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. After edging out Jeremy Evans to win last years contest in Houston, Ross will have his work cut out for him this time around. For the first time since 1988, three all-stars - Pacers forward Paul George, Wizards guard John Wall and Blazers guard Damian Lillard - will compete in the event. Rounding out the field is Warriors forward Harrison Barnes and Kings rookie guard Ben McLemore. "Everybodys kind of a threat," Ross said of this years competition. "Its going to be fun, everybody wants to win." What will Ross do for an encore? The 23-year-old says hes still searching for ideas, scouring YouTube, Twitter and even using video games to brainstorm. "Everybodys done everything," he continued. "I dont know, its like how many times can you do the same dunk before people get tired of it? So its hard to find new dunks but at the same time you always find something a little different." The one thing he could say with certainty is he will not be using props. While Ross has expected to defend his crown since last season, DeRozans debut in the Skills Challenge comes as a surprise, even to him. "I kind of got peer pressure into doing it," said the first-time all-star, who will also be assisting Ross in the dunk-off. DeRozan initially declined the invitation but his agent twisted his arm and eventually he came around. "I changed my mind. I said Ill try it, why not." "I thought it would be fun," he said of the event, which is usually exclusive for point guards but DeRozan hopes to start a new era of shooting guards entering and conquering the ball handling/passing obstacle course. "Everybody doesnt get a chance to be a part of All-Star Weekend and the big thing for me is to go out there and have fun. I think it will be cool to go out there and represent my team as much as I can and you never know, I might mess around and win it." Along with DeRozan, the participants will consists of Lillard, Goran Dragic, Reggie Jackson and rookies Giannis Antetokounmpo, Michael Carter-Williams, Victor Oladipo and Trey Burke. DeRozan, who has previously competed in the Slam Dunk contest on two separate occasions, will be the first Raptor to appear in the Skills Challenge. Although he wouldnt tip his hand, his strategy centres on speed over precision. "I look at it like, a lot of players go out there and try to do it cool," said the fifth-year guard. "I always used to say, you can go a little faster. So Ive got my whole mindset to try and win it." The format in both events will be tweaked this season. The Skills Challenge will feature four teams of two players each competing in a two-round timed relay-style course. The fastest team from each conference will advance to the second and final round, where the winning pair will be crowned. The Dunk Contest participants will also compete in teams, divided by conference. The competition will tip off with a "freestyle round" where the dunkers for each the East and the West will have 90 seconds to showcase as many dunks as they choose. At the conclusion of the opening round, the panel of judges will vote for a winning conference. The winning conference will decide whether its competitors will dunk first or second in the following round, a head-to-head "battle round". In the battle round dunkers from opposing conferences will face off against each other, with the judges choosing a winner in each battle. The first team to win three battles will win the competition. Fans will then vote on the "Dunker of the Night" from the winning team. Ross is the fifth Raptor to participate in the event, joining DeRozan, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady and Jamario Moon. Randy White Youth Jersey . Johns, N.L., to Thunder Bay, Ont., after a deal was announced to build a new $106-million "event centre" in the Lake Superior community. DeMarcus Ware Youth Jersey .Y. -- Nothing seems to phase No. http://www.cowboysrookieproshop.com/Cowboys-Bob-Lilly-Jersey/ . The Raptors second-year forward has been one of the primary beneficiaries of the early-season trade, breaking out and becoming a vital part of his teams success on both ends of the floor. Around the league, teams are starting to take notice and feature Ross more predominately in their pre-game scouting reports but its not just the opposition that hes impressing.Scotland and the Netherlands both survived scares before securing their place in the second round of the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt. With the England pairing of Adrian Lewis and Phil Taylor not in action until Friday night it was the second and third seeds as well as hosts Germany who took centre stage at the Eissporthalle in Frankfurt.The unique pairs format is in play in the opening round with a combination of singles and doubles matches coming into play as the tournament progresses but the opening two days will see all 16 matches played as pairs over the best of nine legs. World Cup questions Who are the favourites, the surprise packages Raymond van Barneveld and Michel van Gerwen were not at their best but still progressed (Picture by Lawrence Lustig) Bookmakers favourites and second seeds the Netherlands were the big names in action on the opening night and world number one Michael van Gerwen and his partner Raymond van Barneveld were far from their best against the Russian pair of Boris Koltsov and the unique throwing style of Aleksandr Oreshkin.Van Gerwen and Barneveld were always in control having moved into a 3-0 lead despite being below par, but the methodical Russians stuck to their task and closed to 3-1 and 4-2 before Barney sunk the winning double for a 5-3 success.Next up for the Dutch darting double act will be the Philippines who caused the shock of the opening round to beat the USA.The American pairing of Larry Butler and Darin Young missed 26 darts at doubles and were punished by their opponents whose finishing was more ruthless, Gilbert Yuland the man to clinch a memorable win for his nation. World Cup of Darts - First Round Results Hungary 5-3 Thailand USA 3-5 Philippines Norway 5-2 Gibraltar Denmark 5-2 Sweden Belgium 5-1 Poland Scotland 5-3 New Zealand Netherlands 5-3 Russia Australia 5-3 Germany World champion Gary Anderson reached the final last year alongside Peter Wright but is playing with Robert Thornton for Scotland this year and they were eventual winners over New Zealand but the third seeds made hard work of things. Robert Newhouse Womens Jersey. .New Zealands pairing of Warren Parry and Cody Harris took a shock 3-1 lead but Anderson and Thornton roared back to reel off four legs in succession and clinch a 5-3 win and a place in the second round against Norway who beat Gibraltar.Dyson Parody led Gibraltan hopes of a strong showing at this years event but an inspired Cor Dekker and his experienced partner Robert Wagner produced the second surprise of the night to wrap up a 5-2 win for the Norwegians. Sky Live: World Cup of Darts All you need to know ahead of the event Arguably the match of the night was the clash between Australia and hosts Germany, the Aussie pairing of Simon Whitlock and Kyle Anderson silenced a lively home support to wrap up a 5-3 first round success.Anderson landed the winning dart and they will next face Denmark who emerged victorious from the battle of Scandinavia thanks to a 5-2 win over Sweden. Kim and Ronny Huybrechts beat Poland 5-1 at the World Cup of Darts in Frankfurt Belgium were the nights star pairing, Kim and Ronny Huybrechts producing a dominant display to average over 90 and see off Poland 5-1 to set up a second round clash with Hungary who opened the night in Germany with a 5-3 win over Thailand - Nandor Bezzeg sinking the winning darts.You can watch all the action from Frankfurt on Sky Sports this week with the rest of the first round on Sky Sports 1 on Friday from 7pm. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV Also See: Sky Live: World Cup of Darts World Cup questions World Cup draw Studds World Cup memories ' ' '