‘Absolutely robbed!’ Fans fume as Aaron Gordon controversially denied NBA slam dunk title despite INCREDIBLE final effort (VIDEO)
Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon signaled he was “done” with participating in the slam dunk contest at the NBA’s showpiece All-Star Weekend after controversially losing out to Miami Heat star Derrick Jones Jr.
Gordon and Jones Jr. put on a slam dunk spectacular for fans in Chicago on Saturday, with a tight contest going to two tiebreaker slams to decide the winner.
Each had recorded perfect scores of 50 in the final and the first dunk-off, before Jones Jr. edged the second tiebreaker with a score of 48 from the panel of five judges for a massive left-handed windmill dunk.
DJJ with the 48!#ATTSlamDunk#StateFarmSaturday@NBAonTNTpic.twitter.com/00imNrVny0
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2020
Gordon attempted to better that with his effort – in which he took the ball from 7ft 5in Boston Celtics player Tacko Fall’s hands while leaping over him and netting it – but was only given a score of 47 from the judges.
🚨 AARON GORDON DUNKS OVER TACKO FALL! 🚨#StateFarmSaturday on @NBAonTNTpic.twitter.com/cMmRjnnTzN
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2020
However, that was met with anger by many – including from members of the panel – who felt that the second tiebreaker should have been awarded a tie, with another dunk-off to determine the winner.
NBA rules do not allow co-champions, although LA Lakers star LeBron James felt both men were worthy winners.
2 🏆 should have been rewarded tonight that’s for damn sure!! Keep it a buck y’all. 🤦🏾♂️!! Them boys both put on a show! Professional DUNKERS
— LeBron James (@KingJames) February 16, 2020
It was a bitter pill for Gordon to swallow, after he suffered a similar fate as runner up back in 2016.
He signaled he was finished with the competition after the latest drama at United Center.
"I did four straight 50s, five straight 50s. That's over. It's a wrap. Let's go home. Four 50s in a row in an NBA dunk contest, it's over. But I don't know. Who's running the show?" Gordon said, ESPN reported. "I feel like I should have two trophies."
Aaron Gordon says he feels like he should have two trophies and likely won’t do the dunk contest again. (via @Rachel__Nichols) pic.twitter.com/OET4do20dC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 16, 2020
Many online agreed, claiming the Miami Heat star had been “robbed.”
Best dunk of the contest no doubt about it. Aaron Gordon robbed again 🤦 pic.twitter.com/Fhtg8C95ET
— Ball Is Life 🏀 (@BaIIersOnly) February 16, 2020
This had to be one of the best dunks ever Aaron Gordon absolutely robbed pic.twitter.com/svKUhotEkW
— Devin Keller (@D_Keller19) February 16, 2020
Dunk contest judge @Candace_Parker —who gave Aaron Gordon a 10—tells ESPN, “I ain’t throwing anyone under the bus .... buttttt check the score card.”
— Ramona Shelburne (@ramonashelburne) February 16, 2020
Others, though, defended Jones Jr. as a deserving winner.
i understand everyone’s “Aaron Gordon got robbed” feelings but are we forgetting that Derrick Jones Jr. still hasn’t landed yet.
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 16, 2020
Elsewhere on the night, the skills contest was won by Jones Jr’s Miami Heat teammate Bam Adebayo, who edged out Indiana’s Domantas Sabonis.
Bam Adebayo defeats Domantas Sabonis in the Finals to win the #TacoBellSkills challenge! #NBAAllStar WATCH #StateFarmSaturday on @NBAonTNTpic.twitter.com/jLtuRx0wSl
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2020
The three-point contest was won by Sacramento Kings' star Buddy Hield.
Buddy Hield wins the #MtnDew3PT contest by hitting 7 of his last 8 shots and finishing with a final score of 27! #NBAAllStar#SacramentoProud#StateFarmSaturday on @NBAonTNTpic.twitter.com/0KOrXN6hC3
— 2020 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) February 16, 2020