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The NBA had to pick just one of these Aaron Gordon dunks

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Amway Center. Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 87-74. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 11, 2016; Orlando, FL, USA;Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon (00) dunks against the Utah Jazz during the second half at Amway Center. Utah Jazz defeated the Orlando Magic 87-74. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aaron Gordon had some of the best dunks all year. So why was he left off the NBA’s Dunk of the Year vote? Here are 99 reasons why that is wrong.

Aaron Gordon’s name is still synonymous with the slam dunk.

His breakthrough performance at last year’s Slam Dunk Contest in Toronto put him on the map and upped the ante for his second appearance in the contest this season. That disappointed as Gordon struggled with a foot injury entering the All-Star Break and could not quite execute his drone-assisted dunk.

His play too disappointed some with the Orlando Magic moving him to small forward and trying to give him more ball-handling opportunities. It moved him away from the basket and seemed to dull his greatest skill.

His athleticism. His incredible leaping ability.

Gordon’s jump shooting was suspect and it seemed the best way to use him would be to keep him near the basket to clean up rebounds or attack on the pinch post, closer to the basket. It was a difficult season for Gordon.

Everyone wondered what the Magic were doing, first off. And, second, why Gordon was not dunking more.

The dunks started coming after the All-Star Break. So too did Gordon’s production, once the Magic moved him back to power forward after trading Serge Ibaka to the Toronto Raptors. Gordon averaged 16.4 points per game and 6.2 rebounds per game while shooting 50.3 percent after the Break.

And he had plenty of dunks in that time too as he worked closer and closer to the basket and the team got out in transition more and more. It seemed like the Magic had unleashed Gordon.

Gordon recorded 99 dunks this year. And whether they came before the All-Star Break or after the All-Star Break, some of them were incredibly strong.

There are some pretty impressive dunks here. Gordon is certainly one of the most athletic players in the league. And one of its best dunkers.

Except the NBA does not see it that way.

The league announced its fan voting for the Dunk of the Year and did not include any dunks from Gordon. Not his reverse jam off a lob from half court against the Milwaukee Bucks. Nor his jump over Marcus Smart. Nor his open court 360 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Nor any of the incredible feats of athleticism he has had throughout the year.

It seemed like a major oversight to skip over Gordon.

The league is soliciting voting online and on Twitter by entering one of the candidate’s names with the hashtag #DunkOfTheYear.

With all due respect to Larry Nance, Jr., Zach LaVine and Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon deserves a seat at the table. And he has some dunks that easily could challenge any of the dunks made during these games.

Literally, all Magic fans are asking is for the NBA to pick one Aaron Gordon dunk to nominate — it does not matter which one. Gordon has plenty to choose from.

So, here is the call to action: Tweet “Aaron Gordon #DunkOfTheYear #PickOne” and fill the NBA’s voting rolls with votes for Aaron Gordon.

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At the very least, just enjoy Gordon’s dunks from this year.