By Candace Buckner

candace.buckner@indystar.com

Only two years ago, Indiana Pacers small forward Paul George, then a relatively unknown, had to make his case to the NBA to participate in the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in Orlando.

Oh, how times have changed.

On Saturday night, George said that he declined an invitation by the league to compete in this year's Slam Dunk Contest in New Orleans.

Although George —who made his first All-Star appearance as a player last year — has not completely closed the door on the possibility, he confirmed that he likely will not participate in other All-Star weekend events such as the Skills Contest and will not make a return appearance to the 3-point Shootout.

Now certified as an in-demand NBA celebrity, George ranks second in the Eastern Conference in All-Star votes and will undoubtedly start in the game held on Feb. 17. George explained that he would rather take a respite and try to limit his schedule as much as possible.

"Exactly, I don't want to add to it by doing extra stuff," George said, responding to a comment that rest rarely happens during hectic All-Star weekends.

Besides the break, George may still carry ill feelings about his previous Slam Dunk experience. After returning from the 2012 All-Star weekend, George told The Indianapolis Star: "(Not to) take nothing away from the dunk contest, (but) it was a joke. I guess whoever had the biggest celebrity involved in their dunk was going to be the winner. I guess I should have tried to reach out to some people."

BIG BLOCKS TAKE QUICK THINKING

Roy Hibbert's blocks at the rim may catch his opponent by surprise — New York's Carmelo Anthony apparently still hasn't learned not to attack baseline against the Pacers — but his defense is actually the result of well-timed snap judgments.

Hibbert rejected Anthony's two-handed dunk attempt on Thursday night and later revisited the thought process that goes into his interior defense.

"To me, it's just after watching film," Hibbert said. "I always say when people serve it up ... that's when you can go block it."

By serving it up, Hibbert means when an opponent comes his way but shows the ball on a layup or dunk attempt, he becomes more aggressive and tries to swat the shot. Through Friday, Hibbert was tied for second in the league with 2.5 blocks per game with Los Angeles Clippers center DeAndre Jordan. Then during the opening eight minutes of the game, Hibbert had added five more blocks to his total.

"When guys come to the basket and they tuck the ball, you can't block it," Hibbert explained. "You have to go straight up and absorb the hit.

"So in a split second, I have to decide. If he has it tucked — straight up. And if he serves it up, then I have a chance to go get it."

COLLISON UPDATE

Darren Collison spent two years with the Pacers (2010-12) as a starting point guard, but he's made a career out of backing up Chris Paul.

On Saturday, Paul missed his seventh straight game while recovering from a right shoulder injury and once again, Collison filled his spot in the starting lineup.

This is nothing new for Collison, who was drafted by New Orleans in 2009 when Paul was still with the franchise. During his rookie season, Collison averaged 12.4 points and 5.7 assists and started 37 games in place of an injured Paul.

Now with the Clippers, Collison has been just effective as the Paul backup. Before Saturday's matchup, Collison had averaged 15.8 points and 7.1 assists in his six nights as a starter and the Clippers won five of those games.

"Chris has the ball in his hands more than Darren does but Darren still has it a lot," Pacers coach Frank Vogel responded when asked how the Pacers will approach Collison defensively. "But in terms of getting into him, trying to jam him, pressure him and not make him comfortable, that part's the same."

Call Star reporter Candace Buckner at (317) 444-6121. Follow her on Twitter: @CandaceDBuckner