We’re Calling It: Last Night’s NBA Dunk Contest Was the Best We’ve Ever Seen

Let’s start by getting a little homerism out of the way: Vince Carter’s virtuoso display in 2000 will forever remain the greatest individual performance at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

That said, last night’s edition might rank as the greatest one-on-one duel in Dunk Contest history. (Sorry, Mike and ‘Nique.) Defending champ Zach LaVine and Orlando Magic high-flyer Aaron Gordon traded slam after devastating, nasty, earth-shattering slam in what was easily the most closely-contested battle since Rocky and Apollo’s rematch. LaVine ultimately repeated as champion after two overtime rounds, but quite honestly, both of those guys deserved to walk out with the trophy after all the insanity they delivered.

But, enough talk. You came here to see dunks, and dunks we shall provide.

Gordon began the night with this very respectable reverse through-the-legs joint. 

But LaVine truly got the crowd going with this behind-the-back banger. 

Gordon answered right back by powering home another through-the-legs number…over a mascot riding a hoverboard. 

LaVine joined him in the finals with this alley oop from the free-throw line.

That’s when things really heated up. Gordon’s first dunk of the finals was this mind-exploding beaut: he grabbed it from a hoverboard-spinning mascot, cupped it back, and did a full 360 with his hand behind his head. Just. Wow.

LaVine pulled off an impressive 360 slam of his own.

AND THEN THIS HAPPENED. UNDER. BOTH. LEGS.

But LaVine made it a damn contest by dropping this sick windmill from the free-throw line.

To overtime we go. The heat just kept coming.

LaVine paid tribute to our boy VC with a nasty reverse between-the-legs from behind the backboard.

At this point, they should have probably just called it a tie. Instead, we got another incredible overtime round. Gordon hammered home this ridiculous tomahawk flush…

…before LaVine sealed the deal with this through-the-legs from the free-throw line.

LaVine took home the trophy, but really, we’re all winners after witnessing that mayhem. For the first time in years, the Dunk Contest is truly relevant again.

All we can do now is pray that we get Gordon-LaVine II come 2017.

Take a bow, gentlemen.