Mitchell, Nance deliver the goods in NBA All-Star 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest

The Verizon Slam Dunk Contest has lost some of its luster over time. This year it was better than advertised. If you missed it TI has you covered.

The Verizon Slam Dunk Contest has long been the final event of the night. For good reason, it has always been what everyone wanted to see the most. Not anymore, the JBL Three-Point competition has overtaken the Dunk Contest at least in this scribe’s opinion.

That said, the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Contest exceeded mine own and many others expectations. In spite of two rookie participants, the night provided some new and creative dunks which is always a sign of a successful evening. Let’s get to the results. First,  here is a rundown of the participants.

The Competitors:

Victor Oladipo:

Although it was only for one season, the majority of Thunder Nation fell in love with Mr.Feathery. Victor Oladipo has competed in the Slam Dunk Contest one other time. He finished second, with a total score of 165. Oladipo has 47 made dunks this season the most in his career and the most of all participants.

Larry Nance Jr.:

Best known for his father who won the first ever Slam Dunk contest in 1984 Larry Nance Jr. had 3 made dunks this season. The fewest of any of the participants. Still if you’ve bore witness to some of his dunks they are of jaw dropping variety as Nance seemingly continues to ascend through his dunks unlike his counterparts who start to descend prior to putting the ball in the basket.

Donovan Mitchell:

Although a rookie, Donovan Mitchell certainly has not played like one. Heading into the break he and the Jazz were on a 11-game win streak. Mitchell has 28 made dunks this season. Recalling his play earlier this season in OKC, Russell Westbrook did something he rarely does. Following the game Russ approached the rook to offer words of encouragement. That in itself was a huge display of respect and offers hints of what his peers view him to be.

Dennis Smith Jr.:

His name may be Dennis Smith Jr. but, he is not the son of former NBA player Dennis Smith. Smith is having a fine rookie season. The rookie has given the Mavericks and their fans to look forward to once Dirk retires. Smith has 28 made dunks this season.

*All made dunks statistics are via Basketball-Reference.com

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• Damian Lillard does not fit with the OKC Thunder

The Judges

• Chris Rock: Comedian
• Mark Wahlberg: Actor
• DJ Khaled: Disc Jockey and Producer
• Lisa Lesle: Former WNBA player and three-time WNBA MVP
• Julius ‘Dr J’ Erving: Former NBA and ABA player

Round One:

Victor Oladipo: Score, 31. Oladipo attempted a no look 360 dunk. He literally did not look at the rim. Although he probably should have because he missed all three of his attempts.

Donovan Mitchell: Score, 48. For the first dunk of the night Mitchell brought out two backboards. He threw the basketball off one and dunked on the other.

Larry Nance Jr.: Score, 44. Had a halftime performance feel to it. He brought out the quick change which is a staple halftime performance. My editor told me this was an exact replica (with a bit of an upgrade) on his father’s dunk that quite literally took down Dr. J in the first dunk competition.

Dennis Smith Jr.: Score, 39. Smith Jr. attempted a dunk similar in style to Oladipo, the main difference Smith Jr. looked at the rim and it worked in his advantage.

Round two:

Victor Oladipo: Score, 40. Vic went Black Panther on the crowd for his second dunk. It was an up and under double clutching dunk.

Donovan Mitchell: Score, 50. For his second attempt Mitchell tried to do an old school Karl Malone dunk. He missed his first attempt. Then he mixed it up and jumped over not one, not two, but THREE people.

Larry Nance Jr.:  Score, 49. Nance ran from behind the stanchion to throw down an epic reverse windmill slam. The kicker? He made it on his first attempt.

Dennis Smith Jr.: Score, 50. Smith Jr’s second and final dunk attempt was one of the best of the night. A 360 through the legs throw-down. Also  of note, he switched hands passing the ball through his legs with one hand then changing to his opposite hand for the powerful flush.

Finals:

First Dunk:

• Nance Jr.: Score, 46. For his 3rd dunk of the night Nance Jr. took off just outside the restricted area, caught it high, and hammered home a nice windmill.

• Mitchell: Score, 50. Mitchell was very creative with his dunks. So he naturally paid homage to Jazz great Darrell Griffith aka Dr Dunkenstein.

Second Dunk:

• Nance Jr.:Score, 50. In his last dunk of the evening Nance Jr. provided what most considered the dunk of the night. He threw the ball off the backboard not once, but twice. in what is now known as the double tap.

• Mitchell: Score, 48. It was going to take something spectacular to overtake Nance Jr. and Mitchell provided just that in his final dunk of the night. Mitchell went Vinsanity doing Vince Carter’s signature dunk contest dunk. While wearing a vintage Raptors jersey.

Although the analysts and many fans were hoping for a score of 46, so the night could continue the 48 gave Mitchell enough to clinch the title.

2018 Verizon Slam Dunk Champion: Donovan Mitchell