5 best big men in NBA Slam Dunk Contest history

2. Aaron Gordon (2016, 2017)

The award for the best NBA Slam Dunk Contest performance that didn’t result in a championship comes down to two entries … and only two entries: Dominique Wilkins in 1988 and Aaron Gordon in 2016.

Gordon was a 20-year-old, second-year pro when he went head-to-head with defending NBA Slam Dunk Contest champ Zach LaVine. The 6’8″ Blake Griffin clone from the Orlando Magic turned himself in a star overnight with a showcase that was better than a lot of dunk contest winners over the years.

Gordon’s worst dunk of the night was his opening between-the-legs spinning throwdown. Again, that was his worst dunk.

Then he enlisted the help of the Magic’s mascot (Stuff The Magic Dragon) to pull off three amazing dunks that were so good, Stuff’s ridiculous costume didn’t even distract from Gordon’s brilliance. Gordon got two perfect 50 scores and a 49.

Gordon and LaVine were tied after two final-round dunks, so the contest went to a tie-breaker. Gordon got another 50 with a backwards, two-hand windmill off a lob, but LaVine also got a 50. So they went to a second tie-breaker and LaVine needed a between-the-legs dunk from just inside the free throw line to finally beat Gordon.

In 2017, Gordon was back for another try and LaVine decided not to go for the three-peat, so it seemed a foregone conclusion that Gordon would win the trophy.

Gordon probably tried to do too much and didn’t make it out of the first round, but his 2016 display was enough to ensure his spot in dunking lore.