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The third time should have been a charm for Aaron Gordon. But it wasn’t. And there won’t be a fourth time.
After being robbed of a win in the Dunk Contest, much like he was in 2016, Gordon said he will no longer be competing in the competition.
“It’s a wrap, bro,” Gordon told reporters. “It’s a wrap. I feel like I should have two trophies. You know what I mean? So, it’s over for that. My next goal is going to be trying to win the 3-Point Contest.”
After controversial losses in 2016 and 2020 Slam Dunk Contests, Magic’s Aaron Gordon says he’s done with the event for good: “It’s a wrap, bro. I feel like I should have two trophies.” pic.twitter.com/XlggS3aDc1
— Ben Golliver (@BenGolliver) February 16, 2020
That’s going to take quite a bit of practice. Gordon is shooting just 30.8 percent from three this season, down from a career-best 34.9 percent last season. But after getting perfect scores on five dunks and then hurdling a 7-6 man, and still not winning, it’s understandable why Gordon would set his sights on a new contest to partake in.
“We’re here to do four dunks,” he added. “So, out of four dunks it should be the best of four dunks. I did five straight 50s. That’s over. It’s a wrap. Let’s go home. Four 50s in an NBA Dunk Contest, it’s over. But I don’t know. Who’s running the show?”
Gordon said his original plan was to jump over Shaquille O’Neal, but Shaq declined.
“Everybody was like, ‘Tacko! Tacko!’” Gordon said. “I was like, ‘Cool, man. Let’s do it.’ The tallest dude in the gym. Jumping over somebody that’s 7-5 and dunking is no easy feat. What did I get, like a 47? Come on, man. What are we doing?”
Gordon credited Derrick Jones Jr. for being a great dunker, saying his best dunk was when he went off-the-glass and through-the-legs while jumping over someone. Gordon was asked if he felt that having Dwyane Wade, Jones’ teammate last season, impacted the results.
“No, I don’t even know who gave me the 9’s,” Gordon said. “I’m going to find them. Trust me. I’m going to find them tonight.