The absence of defending Slam Dunk Champion Zach LaVine of the Minnesota Timberwolves lessens the excitement that the 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Contest lacks will give. But this year's contest will still have the Orlando Magic's Aaron Gordon, who calls himself the Picasso of dunking, still participating.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated, LaVine and Gordon combined to deliver "an all-time classic" slam dunk competition that wowed every who watched. LaVine was only declared the winner after two tie-breaking overtime rounds.
The report adds that with LaVine absent, Gordon becomes the favorite to win the contest. But he will have to get past three other competitors, who will be participating for the first time. These are Derrick Jones, Jr. of the Phoenix Suns, DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, and the Indiana Pacers' Glenn Robinson III.
Among the first-time competitors, the report said that Jones figures to be Gordon's top competition for the title. The undrafted rookie is not a newbie when it comes to dunk contests, as the freakish athlete has already competed in numerous dunk contests dating back to his prep days.
Gordon is determined, though, to win the contest, as he tries to achieve his goal of being known as the "Greatest Dunker of All Time," according to an interview with Flinder Boyd. The Magic forward considers dunk as an "art" and he calls himself the "dunking Picasso" of this generation.
"He's taking this year's contest very seriously," Gordon's mental conditioning coach and the unofficial dunking consultant Graham Betchart says. "It's been on his mind since the third grade."
Boyd said that Gordon to win the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, so the loss was frustrating for him. He was actually brainstorming new dunks already to use for the 2017 competition, just a few days after his loss.
As for what he will be showing in the 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, Betchart told Boyd that they can't say what it is, but it will be "mind-blowing." Check out the Aaron Gordon's dunk highlights in the video below.
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