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.
Advertisement
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.
The final round of this year's NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest was seriously entertaining
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.
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
- © AFP, 2016
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
The best Irish sports team you’ve never heard of
The rugby star given a shot at the NFL and all the week’s best sportswriting
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Aaron Gorden Airborne All Star Weekend Alley-oop Basketball Dunking Contest NBA Zach LaVine