Zach LaVine Opens Up on Slam Dunk Contest Rivalry With Aaron Gordon

Zach LaVine Opens Up on Slam Dunk Contest Rivalry With Aaron Gordon

Edwin Kiplagat
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:28 PM
  • Few slam dunk contests come close to the 2016 showpiece
  • Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon delivered an event for the ages at the 2016 NBA All-Sar weekend
  • The Chicago Bulls shooting guard recently spoke about the showpiece

The 2016 slam dunk contest at the 2016 NBA All-Star Game is the best in the event's history. Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon put up a show like no other.

Seven years after the epic event, LaVine believes it is the best dunk contest and is proud he participated in it.

Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, Chicago Bulls, Denver Nuggets
The 2016 slam dunk contest was one for the ages. Photos by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE and Vaughn Ridley.
Source: Getty Images

In the 2016 showpiece, LaVin won his second straight title. However, there was plenty of controversy surrounding his win. Many thought Gordon deserved to win it.

LaVine amassed 299 of a possible 300 points. With the difficulty being upped with each round, LaVine and Gordon did not disappoint, per CBS Sports.

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The Denver Nuggets forward, however, pulled a few rabbits out of his hat, unveiling several dunks that nobody has seen before. Some feel Gordon was robbed that night.

Very few slam dunk contests come close to the 2016 event this century.

LaVine on rivalry with Gordon

The Chicago Bulls star and Gordon shared the floor once again this past week and spoke about their iconic 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest rivalry came up.

LaVine was playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves, while Gordon was a member of the Orlando Magic organization. LaVine revealed he's had a long relationship with Gordon.

"I think the (2016) one is the best one ever as far as creativity...It was fun. I don't think either one of us knew what the other one had in store. How it unraveled with us going back and forth with these (perfect score) 50s and no misses, it was something to watch. Being a part of it, and going back and watching it now, is crazy," via SI.

The 2016 slam dunk contest remains the standard.

LaVine on 2023 All-Star snub

Sports Brief earlier reported on LaVine explaining why getting snubbed for the 2013 NBA All-Star Game does not bother him.

He said the performances of the Bulls this season are not good enough for him to get an All-Star berth.

LaVine made the All-Star Game for the last two seasons. He wants to focus on getting his team to the playoff.

Authors
Edwin Kiplagat photo
Edwin Kiplagat
Edwin Kiplagat has five years of experience in journalism working as a Sports Editor at Africa Insight Communications and ESPN. Edwin Kiplagat is a Bachelor's Degree holder in journalism from the Multimedia University of Kenya.