The 2016 Slam Dunk Contest that featured a classic duel between Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine was as good as any other, according to one of the all-time best
When everyone talks about “bringing the Slam Dunk Contest” back, they are talking about making the dunk contest like it was in its hey days in the late 1980s.
That is when stars roamed the contest, completed their dunks on the first attempt and were innovative. Those classic battles get replayed over and over again. They are what future contests get compared to.
The 1988 Dunk Contest between Dominique Wilkins and Michael Jordan is the gold standard of dunk contests. It was a battle with each player one-upping the other until they had to end it. Nothing has eclipsed that contest in NBA lore. Vince Carter in 2000 came close, but that was more about his individual brilliance, athleticism and creativity.
The 2016 Dunk Contest between Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine was simply euphoria. From the first time LaVine and Gordon stepped up to the plate, it was clear both were on another level. And everyone else had to get out of the way.
It was that feeling which Julius Erving believes puts the 2016 Slam Dunk Contest in the same breath as that classic 1988 battle between Jordan and Wilkins and the original Slam Dunk Contest between Julius Erving and David Thompson.
"“It was clearly as good as the Wilkins-Jordan showdown, and I had a showdown with David Thompson back in ’76 which was the last year in the ABA,” Erving told COMPLEX. “It doesn’t get acknowledged as much, but it was a great showdown. But Zach and [Aaron] Gordon, in terms of the guys who are judging and to hear what they had to say during that time, records are made to be broken, and standards of the bar are established to be challenged so somebody can go above it. I would put those two guys, the things they did this past show in Toronto, at the top of the bar. Even for them to chase next year, or put some new guys next year to go after it…they have raised the bar to a different level.”"
Gordon helped steal the show more than anyone else in this clash of athleticism. LaVine could fly — dunking from the foul line multiple times. Gordon though showed incredible athleticism and creativity, using NBA Mascot of the Year STUFF as a worthy prop and sidekick.
What Gordon did in jumping over STUFF with both legs over him horizontally was . . . just breathtaking.
Erving, one of the greatest dunkers of all time and a revolutionary in his own right, putting this praise on Gordon and LaVine for their performance was pretty incredible. Watching those dunk contests side-by-side shows a pretty incredible performance.
Who knows if they will do it again. Fans began asking for a rematch from the moment the contest ended with LaVine getting crowned the winner. Magic fans certainly thought Gordon should have been deemed the winner and should get a second crack at the trophy.
Gordon has played coy with participating in the 2017 Slam Dunk Contest. It is still too far out.
Next: Shooting leap needed from Mario Hezonja, Aaron Gordon?
But fans of the NBA All-Star Weekend’s showcase event will be waiting to hear from him.