Aaron Gordon somehow does not win dunk contest, again
The
2020 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest at the United Center in Chicago already had the potential to be memorable Saturday night.
2008 winner
Dwight Howard was returning!
Pat Connaughton was participating for the first time!
Derrick Jones Jr. was back after coming in second back in 2017! And
Aaron Gordon was ready after narrowly missing out on the crown in 2016!
Howard and Connaughton earned one 50 each, but neither made it to the final. That stage was reserved for Jones and Gordon.
Orlando Magic forward Gordon was particularly impressive, scoring 50s with his first
five dunks of the night. The
Miami Heat's Jones earned two 50s in the championship round along with Gordon, forcing a special "dunk off" round. That's where things took a turn.
After Jones and Gordon each scored 50 with his opening dunk of the extra round, Jones took off from just inside the free throw line with a windmill. The judging panel that included Dwyane Wade, Candace Parker, Common, Chadwick Boseman and
Scottie Pippen gave Jones a 48.
Aaron Gordon and Derrick Jones Jr. face off in the final round of the dunk contest, going to overtime before Jones prevails.
Gordon then brought out
Boston Celtics two-way contract center
Tacko Fall, completing a dunk over the 7-foot-5 phenom. But to the horror of all involved (*outside of Miami), the judges gave Gordon a 47,
awarding Jones the victory.
Outrage ensued -- particularly since Gordon watched
Zach LaVine edge him out in a similarly extended 2016 contest. We haven't seen folks this upset at an exhibition since
that baseball game that ended in a tie:
