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Aaron Gordon going to the NBA All-Star Dunk Contest for third straight year

By Philip Rossman-Reich

NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic competes in the 2017 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - FEBRUARY 18: Aaron Gordon #00 of the Orlando Magic competes in the 2017 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest at Smoothie King Center on February 18, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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Aaron Gordon is headed back to the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. For the third year, the Orlando Magic forward is hoping to win the trophy at last.

Aaron Gordon put on a show his first time in the NBA All-Star Game’s Slam Dunk Contest. His battle with Zach LaVine was an absolute classic dunk contest. The kind everyone wanted to go on forever as each young player upped the other with each athletic feat.

Many still believe Gordon should have won that dunk contest.

Last year, Gordon faced a lot of hype and had some innovative ideas but could not execute under the spotlight. The dunks he had planned were apparently just as strong as the ones in his landmark 2016 Dunk Contest. But he did not deliver when it counted.

Gordon will get a third try at the dunk contest this year, hoping to bring home the trophy at long last.

The NBA announced Aaron Gordon will participate in this year’s Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17. He will go up against former Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo, Dallas Mavericks rookie Dennis Smith Jr. and Los Angeles Lakers forward Larry Nance Jr.

Oladipo participated in the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest as a member of the Magic, putting on a strong showing that was unable to topple LaVine in his first dunk contest.

Gordon will be the first three-time participant for the Magic since Dwight Howard from 2007-09. Gordon’s appearance will mark the 10th time a Magic player will go for Slam Dunk Contest gold. Only Howard has been able to win it in 2008.

Gordon will also be the Magic’s only representative at All-Star Weekend. No other players were selected for the weekend.

Gordon is still known for his incredible athleticism, but his game has expanded a ton this year. He is averaging a career-high 18.4 points per game and shooting 34.6 percent from beyond the arc. He is the Magic’s leading scorer and budding young star. Adding a consistent 3-pointer to his game has helped expand his game beyond dunking.

But he will still throw down an impressive jam almost nightly. Gordon is good for more than a few highlights every time out. Many of them are above the rim.

After last year’s contest, Gordon was seemingly unsure if he would give the dunk contest a third try. The contest and its preparation had taken a lot out of him. He was also injured entering last year’s dunk contest.

Do not expect him to use a drone this time around. It seems his approach will be a bit different.

https://twitter.com/Double0AG/status/959235799198953472

But Aaron Gordon tells Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel the fact the All-Star Game is taking place in his home state of California was a big reason why he wanted to give it another try.

He will have a lot of friends and family making the trip south from San Jose to see him in this dunk contest.

And Gordon certainly has to feel like he has left something on the board. He will not have many more times going to the well in the dunk contest. At some point he has to come out with a title.

This is Gordon’s chance. The competition is very stiff again. Oladipo is a fantastic dunker as is Smith and Nance. But Gordon has to be pegged as the favorite once again.

Next: Orlando Magic competing consistently again

The third time may very well be the charm.