The five best NBA Dunk Contests ever

2. 2016

Participants: Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Andre Drummond, Will Barton

Okay, last year’s dunk contest might not have the star power of the previous entry on this list, or the next entry on this list for that matter, but the showdown between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon is one of the most entertaining events I’ve ever watched in my life. And with all apologies to Andre Drummond and Will Barton, this is the last time your names will show up.

LaVine was coming in as the defending champion after a great performance in 2015 and nobody was sure if anyone could compete with him but Aaron Gordon certainly did his best and the show these two put on was absolutely incredible. Gordon’s first dunk was a between-the-legs one-handed 360 and somehow only managed a 45 but showed that he was there to compete. But LaVine showed why he was the defending champion with an incredible dunk in which he bounced the ball to himself, caught it, went behind his back and flew to the other side of the rim for an opening 50. Gordon brought out the Orlando Magic’s mascot, Stuff the Magic Dragon next, who also happened to be on a scooter, and jumped over him while grabbing the ball and taking it through his legs. Shaq was the only judge not to give him a 10 on that one. LaVine would then get his only 49 of the night as he jumped from the free throw line to stuff home a lob pass from Andre Miller. Once again, Shaq was the only one to give him a 9.

The two breezed into the finals but the action was just beginning. Normally, you’re only supposed to dunk twice in the finals and then a winner is declared. The only problem is that they just kept getting scores of 50. It was hard to imagine anything better than Gordon grabbing the ball from Stuff, who was twirling on a hoverboard, with a one-hand 360 but the night wasn’t over yet. LaVine matched with a similar dunk from a pass to himself. Gordon then pulled off the best dunk I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Once again, he had Stuff hold the ball over his head. But this time, he grabbed it and put the ball under his legs as he jumped over the mascot. That would normally slam the door on any dunk contest but LaVine pulled off a windmill from just inside the free throw line for a 50 of his own. So we’re going to overtime.

Magic point guard Elfrid Payton helped out with Gordon’s next dunk by throwing the ball off the side of the backboard which Gordon caught and turned into a spinning reverse, earning yet another perfect score. But once again, LaVine matched it by starting under the basket and throwing it to himself for a two-handed, between-the-legs masterpiece to send it to a second overtime. I still think Gordon’s final dunk was better than a 47 but his behind-the-head, down-to-his-knees effort does look better on replay than it did in real time. Nonetheless, it was quite impressive but not quite enough as LaVine finished him with another 50 on a between-the-legs jam from just inside the free throw line. Absolutely unbelievable showing from both of these guys.