Orlando Magic’s Aaron Gordon could have sealed his first-ever National Basketball Association (NBA) All-Star Slam Dunk trophy after putting a two-handed flush past Boston Celtics’ seven-foot-five center Tacko Fall in his final trick.
However, it was Miami Heat’s Derrick Jones
Jr. who got home the coveted trophy on Saturday night (Sunday in Manila) after
edging Gordon by a hairline with his final dunk off in front of a stunned United
Center in Chicago.
Jones got away with 48 points from the judges through a tomahawk flush, while
Gordon’s slam was just worth 47 points for his second controversial bridesmaid
finish in the competition.
Prior to that, Gordon was already impressive after scoring a perfect 50 in each of his five previous slams. Jones was able to snatch four 50s in the preliminary round too – enough for him to move on to the finale.
Meanwhile, Milwaukee Bucks’ Pat Connaughton placed third after making a “White Man Can’t Jump” parody in his first dunk and jumping over teammate Giannis Antetokounmpo for his second.
Former Slam Dunk champion Dwight Howard of the Los Angeles Lakers landed at fourth and last spot. He recreated his famous ‘Superman’ dunk while paying tribute to his former teammate, the late basketball superstar Kobe Bryant.
In the other event, Jones’ teammate Bam Adebayo emerged as the victor of the Skills Challenge after ousting Domantas Sabonis of the Indiana Pacers in the finale.
On the other hand, it was Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield who ruled the Three-Point contest by knocking 27 points, beating Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker (26) and Washington Wizards’ Davis Bertans (22)./PN
