Yes, it's the doldrums of the NBA offseason, I know. I constantly scour the internet for some form of basketball satisfaction, and find myself Youtubing player highlights, searching for Drew League/Rucker Park sightings, and crying myself to sleep from NBA withdrawals. I figured we could run through a fun exercise while we anticipate some more highlights this upcoming season by reviewing the current top dunkers on this year's Magic squad. With Moe Harkless gone (who previously held the title of most dunks on the team in the 3 years he was here), there are 3 candidates on this team who could potentially win an NBA dunk contest right now. Let us begin:
1) Victor Oladipo (6'4", 210 lbs, #2 Pick in 2013 Draft):
Having actually participated in last year's dunk off vs. Zach Lavine, Vic came in as a runner up, showing off some hops and the feathery swag he so often talks about in completing a show stopping 540 dunk. Throughout his tenure here he's always been good for athletic drives to the bucket, slashing his way for a slam even through contact (Lebron James), and sometimes on multiple players (looking at you, Atlanta). On breakaways he's had the opportunity to shine, twice in two years going off for impressive 360 slams, against Houston and Brooklyn. In short, he has the optimal size, length and athleticism to complete impressive dunks at any given time during the course of a game.
The Evidence:
2) Aaron Gordon (6'9", 225 lbs, #4 Pick in 2014 Draft):
The Blake Griffin comparisons are not as outlandish as one would think when referencing the sheer athleticism of this second year Lottery talent. His fast twitch muscles were responsible for multiple tips and follow up dunks at the bucket, and he is very capable of gathering himself under the rim and powering up for a slam amongst the trees. He serves as a powerful weapon running the break alongside Elfrid Payton, going downhill on fastbreaks as the perfect beneficiary from lobs with his ability to finish alley oops from virtually anywhere. I think it is safe to say we have not had someone on the team that could be served up the ball and could Go Get It like A.G. can, since the time some guy named Dwight Howard was here. He is a physical specimen with elite athleticism, a combination of power and hops that could make him a perfect candidate for the next dunk contest.
The Evidence:
Aaron Gordon Doing it for the Vine
3) Mario Hezonja (6'8", 215 lbs, #5 Pick in 2015 Draft):
The newest Magic man, here via the NBA Lottery this past June, Super Mario is one of the most exciting players to come from overseas in years, and has drawn comparisons to the late, great Drazen Petrovic. We got a sneak peak of his ups in Summer League, when he completed a rawkus dunk on a drive to the hoop over a defender, drawings gasps from the crowd, complete with stare down to the opposing players. His cocky confidence is a pre-requisite to his spectacular dunks, and just a quick Youtube search of Mario Hezonja brings up aerial assaults off alley oops, drives to the rim with power dunks over big men, and flamboyant windmills that look more of the And-1 variety than anything commonly associated with the overseas leagues. Mario will dunk on you and tell you about it, and this along with his excellent springs makes him the type of dunker that can exhilarate the crowd and change the momentum of a game.
The Evidence:
Top 10 Super Mario Dunks of 2014-15
Hezonja Takes Someone's Life in SL
Honorable Mention: Goes to Elfrid Payton, who was a candidate for best Magic dunk of last season against Chicago on a putback dunk against Taj Gibson, he might be one of the best dunking Magic point guards since Steve Francis or Penny Hardaway. Also Nik Vucevic, who unleashed his inner Wild Thing against Pau Gasol in a game last year, attempting premeditated murder against the Spaniard on a drive to the bucket. So who do you think is currently the Best Dunker on the Magic: Oladipo, A.G., Super Mario, or someone else? Share your thoughts in the comments and vote! Thanks!
