Apparently, NBA Slam Dunk Contest controversies are as synonymous with Chicago as are the Chicago Sky, Wintrust Arena, Willis Tower, Lake Michigan, Lakeshore Drive, Wrigley Field, deep dish pizza, WGCI and V-103 radio, Common, Chance the Rapper and Barack and Michelle Obama.
Remember 1988?
The 2020 rendition of the Slam Dunk Contest emanated from Chicago’s United Center and it came down to Derrick Jones Jr. (Miami Heat) and Aaron Gordon (Orlando Magic).
Every few years, the dunk contest turns out to be an entertaining affair and conjures memories of when the event used to attract superstars in the NBA, including Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. The 2020 edition was one of those years.
Dwight’s first dunk 👀 #ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/uvtchSAmpN
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2020
PAT DID THAT. #ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/NGr5TaRYxf
— Milwaukee Bucks (@Bucks) February 16, 2020
Did DJJ just invent a new dunk?! 😱 #ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/YrjtMy1Zm6
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 16, 2020
A I R P L A N E M O D E#ATTSlamDunk
(@ATT) pic.twitter.com/9LfHtMbplX
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 16, 2020
DJJ. BETWEEN THE LEGS. OVER TWO PEOPLE.#ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/F4Mg4DrITQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 16, 2020
The controversy stems from the final dunk of the night. Candace Parker was one of the event’s judges along with Dwyane Wade, Common, Scottie Pippen and Chadwick Boseman. Gordon’s grand finale was a dunk over Tacko Fall of the Boston Celtics (who is 7-foot-5).
AG dunked over TACKO!! 😨 #ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/aYM3eMRIPk
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2020
Aaron Gordon and Derrick Jones Jr. put on a SHOW last night! 🍿 #ATTSlamDunk pic.twitter.com/iODTMgXCL1
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2020
When Gordon pulled that off (and on the first try), everyone in the Windy City and everyone watching on TNT thought the trophy was as good as his. Jones’ final dunk earned a 48 score from the judges (Parker and Boseman were the nines) but Gordon’s going up and over the 7-foot-5 skyscraper that is Tacko Fall earned him a 47.
Parker, to her credit, gave Gordon a 10 while the nines came from Wade, Pippen and Boseman of all people. Black Panther looked more like a villain than a hero on Chicago’s West Side as NBA All-Star Saturday night concluded.
Aaron Gordon says he won’t participate in the dunk contest again feels he was robbed of a second trophy. Next goal: win 3-point contest #NBAAllStar2020 pic.twitter.com/7sC2ETRAba
— Lindsay Dunn (@LindsayDunnTV) February 16, 2020
Just spoke to dunk contest judge @common who tells @ESPN, “We thought it was going to be tied. We were like, ‘This is a tie’ …But somebody didn’t do it right. I don’t know who it is.” 👀👀👀
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 16, 2020
Sad how men are blaming Candace Parker for Aaron Gordon losing the #ATTSlamDunk contest. Um, yall realize she gave him a 10 right? Go after Dwayne Wade and the people who actually gave him lower scores.. We all know why y’all are attacking her though.. #YourSexismJumpedOut
— Women’s Hoopz (@WomensHoopz) February 16, 2020
