Aaron Gordon's Mascot Dunk: How It Became an Internet Sensation

In 2016, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest became an unforgettable moment with Aaron Gordon's mascot dunk. The energetic Orlando Magic forward showcased his incredible athleticism and creativity during the competition. Gordon began his historic dunk by having the Magic's mascot, Stuff the Magic Dragon, ride on a hoverboard towards the basket. As the mascot approached, he tossed the basketball towards the rim. Seizing this opportunity, Gordon leaped over Stuff with his legs spread wide apart. In mid-air, Gordon grabbed the ball from the mascot's outstretched hand and brought it down through his legs before finishing with an emphatic one-handed slam.

It's similar to his other dunks on the night but given how graceful it all looks - LaVine more than anyone truly does seem to 'float' in the air - it is again deserving of a perfect score.

LaVine again attacks the basket from the same angle, throwing himself a pass, putting it through his legs while in flight and slamming it in over his head. The dunk took Gordon clear over the head of the Magic mascot, where he grabbed the ball from the mascot s hands and then dunked from underneath his legs.

In mid-air, Gordon grabbed the ball from the mascot's outstretched hand and brought it down through his legs before finishing with an emphatic one-handed slam. This mind-boggling display of athleticism left the audience, fellow players, and judges in awe. The crowd erupted with applause and cheers, showing their appreciation for Gordon's sheer power, body control, and innovative approach to dunking.

Aaron Gordon vs Zach LaVine: Revisiting the greatest NBA All-Star Dunk Contest of all time

Kyle Picknell looks back at the famous 2016 Dunk Contest between Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine; Watch the 70th NBA All-Star Game, along with the Dunk Contest, 3-Point Contest and Skills Challenge live from 11.30pm on Sky Sports Arena this Sunday

By Kyle Picknell

Sunday 20 February 2022 10:16, UK

Each generation of basketball fans has their favourite Dunk Contest, whether it's seared into the memory as a child, sat on the carpet cross-legged and star-struck catching the highlights or taken in live, bleary-eyed, full of pizza and beer as an adult.

For some, including The Human Highlight Reel himself, Dominique Wilkins' showdown against Michael Jordan in 1988 remains the absolute pinnacle of the event.

For others, it's Vince Carter's game-changing performance in 2000, when he reinvigorated what seemed to be a rapidly fading format. There had been no Dunk Contest in 1998, while in 1999 there was no All-Star Game due to the NBA lockout.

Then there are those who still vividly recall Dwight Howard donning the Superman cape and jumping so high he literally had to throw the ball down into the hoop, while Gerald Green managed to blow out his birthday cake candle his head was so near the rim.

Even in last year's event in Chicago, we had Derrick Jones Jr. and Aaron Gordon putting on a treat of a spectacle. The less said about the final result the better, but even so, it was a hell of a showdown.

The judges awarded him a perfect score of 50 points for this dunk, solidifying its place in history as one of the greatest moments in Slam Dunk Contest history. Despite his outstanding performance, Gordon narrowly missed out on the trophy, losing to Zach LaVine in an intense dunk-off. However, Gordon's lasting impact with the mascot dunk remains. It serves as a testament to the creativity and innovation that can be brought to the contest, elevating it beyond a mere display of athletic ability. This dunk has inspired future participants in the Slam Dunk Contest to push the boundaries of what is possible, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the next awe-inspiring moment in the competition. Overall, the Aaron Gordon mascot dunk in the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest represents a sensational moment in basketball history. It showcased the extraordinary athleticism and creativity of one of the league's rising stars, leaving a lasting impression on fans around the world..

Reviews for "Aaron Gordon's Mascot Dunk: The Anatomy of a Jaw-Dropping Slam"

1. John - 2 stars - I was really disappointed with Aaron Gordon's mascot dunk. I felt like it was hyped up so much and it didn't live up to the expectations. The concept was interesting, but the execution was lacking. I expected something mind-blowing and instead, it was just average. Overall, I was underwhelmed and felt like it was a waste of time.

2. Emily - 1 star - I can't understand the hype around Aaron Gordon's mascot dunk. It was cheesy and just not impressive at all. The whole idea of jumping over a mascot was done before and done better by other players. The dunk lacked creativity and originality. It's a shame because I had high hopes for Aaron Gordon, but this dunk was a major letdown.

3. Mark - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to seeing Aaron Gordon's mascot dunk, but it fell flat for me. The dunk itself was nothing special, and it felt like he was just going through the motions. I expected more creativity and flair from Gordon, but it lacked that wow factor. Overall, I was not impressed and I think there have been much better mascot dunks in the past.

From Practice to Perfection: The Story Behind Aaron Gordon's Mascot Dunk