Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. narrowly edged Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon to secure a dunk contest title that required a pair of tiebreaker slams to decide it. Each of the high-flyers earned a 50 from the judges during the finals and in the first dunk-off, which led to the second tiebreaker round.
During the deciding round, Jones took off from just inside the free-throw line to throw down a windmill with his left hand that earned a 48 from the judges. In response, Gordon dunked over 7-foot-5 Boston Celtics rookie Tacko Fall while earning a 47. LeBron James spoke for many who watched the Saturday night festivities by suggesting that both Jones and Gordon should have earned a trophy.
“Two trophies should have been awarded tonight that’s for sure!!” LeBron tweeted. “Keep it a buck y’all. Them boys put on a show! Professional DUNKERS”
Regardless of who was ultimately crowned champion, the 2020 dunk contest was one of the best dunking competitions we’ve seen in years. It also did enough to properly pay homage to the 1988 dunk contest that Michael Jordan won the last time All-Star Weekend was in Chicago. Gordon earned five-straight 50’s during the contest at one point but clipping Fall’s head as he jumped over him during the final tiebreaker round appears to have cost him the title.
Jones Jr., meanwhile, consistently converted his first dunk attempt throughout the evening while finishing with authority and creativity on a regular basis. While Aaron was deserving of more than just a second place finish, Derrick certainly did enough to win.
