Whether you want to accept it or not, Derrick Jones Jr. is the NBA Slam Dunk Champion that we all needed after a memorable competition
Derrick Jones Jr. appeared disappointed after he completed what would end up being his final dunk of the night. Maybe it was because he knew he didn’t get enough crowd reaction for another perfect (50) score, or perhaps it was because he didn’t time the jump correctly and took off a foot further than he had originally planned.
Nevertheless, the stage was set for Aaron Gordon to win his first NBA Dunk Contest. All he needed was a 49 or better in his final dunk, and the crown would finally be his. However, while (some say sloppily) dunking over the 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall, Gordon only scored a 47 with the judges.
Some will go down saying Dwyane Wade had a hand in Derrick Jones Jr. winning the title, but that’s a different story for a different day.
(If so, that’s actually hilarious).
In the end, DJJ was named the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Champion and earned it. But this contest wasn’t just about the winner and the loser. This dunk contest was actually…exciting? Social media was abuzz and it felt like the old days when fans actually looked forward to this contest.
Even though the contestants weren’t exactly the top stars and headliners in the league, you can’t argue that these players weren’t amongst the best dunkers that the league has to offer today. With the exception of Zach LaVine and/or Zion Williamson, I’m not sure if we can name a better dunker in the league today than the four that participated.
In fact, you can even make a case that all four deserved a shot in the final round. Even Dwight Howard, at 34, had a somewhat surprising showing in the contest. Despite being well past his prime, he put on a show and had a touching tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.
Pat Connaughton paid homage to White Men Can’t Jump and probably, in any other Dunk Contest, wouldn’t make the final round had it not been for the absurdness that Aaron Gordon and Derrick Jones Jr. would showcasing.
Even in the dunk-off, creativity was on-point. Fall says that Gordon didn’t plan his final dunk of the night. Which makes it all that much more impressive. You have to give him props for that. He wasn’t afraid and believed in his leaping abilities.
Tacko Fall says that Aaron Gordon dunk was not planned. “I was scared for my life”
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 16, 2020
And when it was all said and done, and DJJ had officially won the dunk contest, he took it in stride. Just like any champion should.
Interviewed Derrick Jones Jr for @SportsCenter - he said if Aaron Gordon thinks he should have won, he’s welcome to come back for a rematch next year. 👀
— Rachel Nichols (@Rachel__Nichols) February 16, 2020
The great thing about Derrick Jones Jr. is that he’s actually valuing the dunk contest. He’s not acting too cool for school and playing it down. Perhaps that could change once the regular season gets back underway, but it was somewhat refreshing to see DJJ defend his right as champion.
2020 Dunk Contest in 52 seconds pic.twitter.com/R1PAdbDR5L
— john (@johnasileaux) February 16, 2020
Plus, he also won the award on his 23rd birthday which makes it all that much more special. Watch this highlight reel and you can’t say that DJJ didn’t deserve to win the award.