MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES FORWARD Zach LaVine earned a second straight NBA All-Star Slam Dunk title in Toronto last night in a scintillating showdown with Orlando’s Aaron Gordon.
LaVine, fresh from earning Most Valuable Player honors in Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge exhibition game, earned his fifth maximum score of 50 on the night with a through the legs dunk from just within the free-throw line to seal the win.
He became the fourth player to win back-to-back dunk titles, after Michael Jordan (1987-88), Jason Richardson (2002-03) and Nate Robinson (2009-10).
But Gordon didn’t make it easy, as the two traded spectacular soaring dunks in the final round.
We should share the trophy, because (Gordon) did some stuff I’ve never seen before,” LaVine said.
Gordon launched the final round with an incredible display of timing, grabbing the ball from the Orlando Magic mascot who was spinning on a hoverboard.
He twisting through the air himself to throw down a one-handed dunk.
LaVine responded by throwing himself an alley-oop pass and soaring for a one-handed finish.
Gordon then again used the mascot, vaulting over the costumed creature, plucking the ball from its head and passing it from one hand to another beneath his body on his way to the rim.
LaVine answered with a classic windmill dunk that also received maximum points.
https://vine.co/v/inPIapKdr6Z
https://vine.co/v/inPTWrEJBUh
Shaq was on the judging panel, but couldn’t resist having a go himself…
https://vine.co/v/inUhmAWpAnD
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Such athletic freak’s in that game
They both should have won that. For their last 2 or 3 goes they were just making dunks up as they had already used their pre rehearsed dunks. Great viewing, Gordon didn’t deserve to lose that.
Yeah, both were winners…. Was boring at the start, but they both lit it up after that…. 3 pointer contest was amazing….. They both play together too, incredible!
Lavine down the same dunk as Gordon in one round but not as well, don’t think was worthy of a 50, he also failed on first attempt of one and still almost got 49, surely should be marked down for failing on your first attempt
Thats what shaq was doing, giving a 9, he was right and booed for it. Lavine was technically better I think, Gordon really put on a show though, did not deserve to lose…. Intros to each player was embarrassing, except for Lavine, kept it simple.