February 13, 2016 Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon are reviving the slam dunk contest
What is the best slam dunk in history? Some will cite the clashes between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in 1985 and 1988 or Vince Carter’s arabesque in 2000. But while the competition has lost much of its luster, duel on February 13, 2016 between Zach Lavin and Aaron Gordon remains for many a technical summit.
Will Burton and Andre Drummond were quickly fired, Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon found themselves in the Finals and the Magic’s winger is starting. With the help of the Orlando mascot, mounted on a hoverboard, he performs an incredible first dunk, a 360° with one hand behind his head at the start. It’s definitely a 50 from the judges. Zach LaVine responds with a similar dunk, a little less surprising but just as impressive, also 50.
Aaron Gordon slightly more impressive in the first two dunks
Then Aaron Gordon will undoubtedly have the best dunk in the competition. Always with the help of the Magic mascot, he collects the ball above her, passes the ball under his feet and dunks, sitting in the air…
The visuals are amazing and Zach LaVine has to respond with something heavy. The guard then releases a “windmill” from the free throw line. We are really close to the stars and even if it seems a little less crazy, the judges can only give 50. The two players are impossible to decide between and have to continue their duel. All the better!
Aaron Gordon then asks for help from Elfrid Payton, who throws him the ball from the side of the backboard and sets up a “reverse windmill” with both hands. Still at 50, Zach LaVine responds with another very technical dunk, the “Rider” from behind, also finished with two hands. This is also 50 and a second extension is needed to make a difference.
Zach LaVine still in stock
This time, the Florida player seems to be out of ideas and misses two attempts by sending the ball with 24 seconds left. Finally, he sets up a “Dominic Wilkins” dunk, a powerful “double pump” in the back.
But his two failures and a weaker impression compared to his previous successes give him only a rather difficult 47.
This is Zach Lavin’s chance to make a difference and he’s not holding back. By passing the ball underfoot with just a little push in front of the free-kick, he forces the referees to give him another 50.” I don’t want to get into comparisons, because everybody’s going to talk about Mike (Jordan), Dr. J and the rest. But I think we’ve really done things that no one else has done », explains the winner, who retains the title.
The first two dunks in the final went to Aaron Gordon, Kenny Smith explained that his 50 was “better”, but Zach LaVine had more dunks in his repertoire.
“I was ready to make four dunks, but to tell you the truth, he did things that no one else had ever done.”assures the winner, who wanted to share his trophy with his opponent. “He did two crazy dunks with the mascot, jumping over them. Until the last dunk, we were pushing ourselves to outdo each other.”
And revive the competition which will have a hard time regaining these peaks.
2026-02-13 12:10:00
