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Date: 2/14/2016
Outlet: NBA.com
Author: Lang Whitaker
LaVine repeats as champion, wins Verizon Slam Dunk
High expectations? No problem.
After bringing the Dunk Contest back to prominence one year ago with a series of electrifying dunks, Minnesota's Zach LaVine picked up where he left off, with help from Orlando's Aaron Gordon.
And with the Verizon Slam Dunk on the line, Zach LaVine went to the free throw line. Well, almost.
With a through-the-legs dunk from just inside the charity stripes, Zach LaVine earned his fifth score of 50 on the night, making him the 2016 NBA dunk champ. The 20-year-old LaVine became the first back-to-back winner since Nate Robinson in 2009 and 2010.
Going against Magic forward Aaron Gordon in the contest finals, LaVine and Gordon got locked into a heavyweight bout where they traded incredible body blows. After the contest, LaVine said, "We should share the trophy, because [Gordon] did some stuff I've never seen before."
To begin the final round, Gordon completed a dunk with an unbelievable degree of difficulty, snatching the ball from Orlando Magic mascot Stuff -- who was spinning on a hoverboard -- and throwing down a twisting dunk. This earned a 50. LaVine countered by throwing himself an alley-oop and floating through the air for a one-handed finish, earning another 50.
Gordon then again used Stuff, this time clearing the mascot with his rear end while passing the ball below for a lefty finish. That earned another 50, putting the pressure on LaVine.
LaVine responded coolly, with a windmill from just inside the free throw line, for another 50. This marked the first time in Dunk Contest history the final round saw four scores of 50.
They didn't stop. In the first dunk-off, Gordon enlisted teammate Elfrid Payton to throw an alley-oop off the side of the backboard. Gordon caught the ball and completed a reverse dunk while flying through the air. 50. LaVine responded by throwing an alley-oop to himself from the baseline, catching the ball and passing it through his legs for a reverse dunk. This earned another 50.
On the second dunk-off, Gordon ran along the baseline and did a two-handed double-pump reverse reminiscent of Dominique Wilkins. Gordon scored a 47. To win it, LaVine went back to the free throw line.
The evening opened with Denver swingman Will Barton making a "Thriller"-themed entrance, wearing a red leather jacket and accompanied by dancing zombies. For his first dunk, Barton passed the ball through his legs and finished with a two-handed reverse. Barton received a 44. For his second dunk, Barton attempted several dunks, but was unable to complete any, finishing with a second dunk score of 30.
While big men have traditionally struggled to score highly in the dunk contest, Detroit center Andre Drummond hoped to change that trend. But after struggling to complete his first dunk and scoring only a 36, Drummond brought out Canadian legend and noted soccer aficionado Steve Nash to deliver an alley-oop via a kick. Nash proved to be a more accurate passer with his hands, needing several attempts and one missed dunk before Drummond finally completed a windmill off of a kick, earning a score of 39.
Gordon entered wearing a tuxedo and carrying a cane. For his first dunk he went through his legs and completed a one-handed dunk for a score of 45. For his second dunk, Gordon tapped the zeitgeist and involved Orlando mascot Stuff riding a hoverboard. After one missed attempt, Gordon then jumped over the mascot, passed the ball between his legs, and dunked it home, earning a score of 49. (Shaquille O'Neal was the lone judge to award a 9.)
For his first dunk, after giving a hug to Drake, Zach LaVine threw an alley-oop to himself, passed the ball behind his back from right-to-left, and finished with a reverse right-handed dunk, scoring the night's first 50. It was ridiculous enough that fellow competitor Drummond could only shake his head in disbelief. For his second dunk, LaVine brought out teammate Andre Miller and, after one miss, had Miller toss an alley-oop while he soared from just inside the free throw line. LaVine tomahawked the ball home for a score of 49. (O'Neal again was the lone judge to award a 9.)
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 2/14/2016
Outlet: NBA.com
Author: John Schuhmann
Big man Towns takes Taco Bell Skills Challenge
You don't get many upsets at All-Star Weekend, but Karl-Anthony Towns winning the 2016 Taco Bell Skills Challenge was a clear underdog story.
The Rookie of the Year favorite from the Minnesota Timberwolves represented for the big men, edging out Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas by knocking down his third 3-point attempt in what was a tightly contested final round. Both players connected on their first chest pass after dribbling through an obstacle course, and they made their layups on the other end of the floor at the same time. Though Thomas is the guard, Towns has been the better 3-point shooter this season, and he knocked down the competition-winning shot before Thomas could.ony Towns wins the 2016 Taco Bell Skills Challenge.
As Towns' shot went through the net, he was immediately mobbed by the other big men in the competition, making it clear that the new format of the Skills Challenge brought out a big-little rivalry.
"This is bigger than me," Towns said afterward. "This is for all the bigs out there, with the game changing the way it is, to show that bigs can stand up with guards skill-wise."
Both Thomas and Towns had easy victories in the semifinals. After Blazers guard C.J. McCollum lost the ball in the obstacles and Thomas connected on his first chest pass, the Celtics' All-Star made his 3-pointer while McCollum was still shooting his layup. And Towns eliminated the Kings' DeMarcus Cousins by connected on his first chest pass and his first 3-point attempt.
In the first round, McCollum eliminated the Lakers' Jordan Clarkson by making his first jumper, while Thomas eliminated Nuggets' rookie Emmanuel Mudiay after gaining a lead on the passing station. On the bigs' side of the bracket, Towns eliminated the Warriors' Draymond Green by knocking down his second 3-pointer, and Cousins came back to beat Anthony Davis after losing the ball on his initial dribble.
Patrick Beverley, the 2015 champion, wasn't able to defend his title, pulling out of the competition after turning his ankle in Portland on Wednesday. Mudiay was his replacement.
2016 Participants
*Emmanuel Mudiay, Denver Nuggets
DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings
Draymond Green, Golden State Warriors
Anthony Davis, New Orleans Pelicans
CJ McCollum, Portland Trail Blazers
Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Timberwolves
Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics
Jordan Clarkson, Los Angeles Lakers
* Replaces Patrick Beverley (injured)
Skills Challenge Year-By-Year Event Winners
2015 - Patrick Beverley, Rockets
2014 - Team West: Trey Burke, Jazz & Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
2013 - Damian Lillard, Trail Blazers
2012 - Tony Parker, Spurs
2011 - Stephen Curry, Warriors
2010 - Steve Nash, Suns
2009 - Derrick Rose, Bulls
2008 - Deron Williams, Jazz
2007 - Dwyane Wade, Heat
2006 - Dwyane Wade, Heat
2005 - Steve Nash, Suns
2004 - Baron Davis, Hornets
2003 - Jason Kidd, Nets
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