Eric Gay/AP via USA TODAY Sports
LSL got you paid if you put your money where our words were. Again…you’re welcome! (OK, so we missed on the three-point contest)
It won’t go down as the most memorable dunk contest but the NBA’s 2013 edition did have memorable moments. James “Flight” White remixed the dunk he did some years ago as a McDonald’s All-American going behind his head with two hands from one step inside the line. Gerald Green did a dunk contest first by cutting down the nets Final Four style before failing to execute a through the rim, self-assist double dunk just after time officially expired. And Jeremy Evans did his title defense justice.
In the end Toronto Raptors rookie Terrence Ross walked the competition winning the fan vote in style to take the 2013 Dunk Contest crown.
While there were some creative dunks delivered the overall execution was lacking. The field was low on star power it made up for with actual dunkers. The NBA gets props for at least putting together a solid field that didn’t need token big names with no chops.
It was a return to the essence of the contest. Everyone held their own but a little more practice would have gone a long way.
Even eventual champion Ross narrowly got out of the first round as he needed ample opportunities in order to get to obligatory his Vince Carter homage throwback and all.
2000 this wasn’t but nothing will ever touch that unforgettable night.
Evans pulled out the prop dunk of the night going over a canvass he unveiled after only one attempt to reveal a painting of his masterpiece that he signed showing shades of T.O.’s hidden sharpie routine.
That Evans only needed one attempt was minor miracle of sorts. The degree of difficulty on many of the dunks was high tonight but the number of attempts necessary made the evening drag. An otherwise quality contest was made into a bore at times.
In the end Ross prevailed with a graceful yet powerful glide over a kid brought out of the audience. He went between his legs and finished with power in a move that ended the night for the competition.
This won’t go down as a great contest but Ross’ arrival shouldn’t be taken lightly. The world is slowly seeing the evolution of the next human highlight reel. Not calling him Nique but Ross is Dominque-esque.