Aaron Gordon, a professional basketball player known for his incredible leaping ability and dunks, recently made headlines for a particularly memorable dunk during an NBA game. In this specific instance, Gordon executed a vicious dunk on a mascot, creating a moment that is still being talked about in the basketball community. The dunk itself was a display of Gordon's athleticism and skill, as he soared through the air, elevating over the mascot and slamming the ball into the hoop with force and precision. The video of the dunk quickly went viral, garnering millions of views on social media and becoming a trending topic online. What made this dunk especially eye-catching was the unique scenario in which it took place. Mascots are often seen as lovable and playful figures who entertain the crowd during timeouts and breaks in the game.
Based on you remembering the character being Japanese, I'm going to suggest Ma Lien and the Magic Brush by Hisako Kimishima.
In the original tale as it was first handed down decades, nay centry or more ago, Ma liang came froma a poor family and the paint brush brought wealth and comfort. It is a great book that can be used to teach what happens when you wish for something without realizing how it can impact your life or how greedy you may be becoming.
Mascots are often seen as lovable and playful figures who entertain the crowd during timeouts and breaks in the game. They typically engage in humorous interactions with players and fans, adding an element of entertainment to the overall basketball experience. However, this particular mascot found himself on the receiving end of an extraordinary dunk that left everyone awestruck.
Review: The Magic Paintbrush
The Magic Paintbrush by Laurence Yep, illustrated by Suling Wang.
HarperTrophy, HarperCollins, New York, 2000.
Historical fantasy, 90 pages.
Lexile: 530L .
AR Level: 3.8 (worth 2.0 points) .
Eight-year-old Steve’s parents and all of his belongings are gone after a tragic fire, and now he shares a single room in Chinatown with his grandfather and Uncle Fong (no relation but a childhood friend of Grandfather’s). They are so poor that after his paintbrush split in art class, he’s afraid to go home and tell his Grandfather, knowing that a new one is not possible.
The Magic Paintbrush by Laurence Yep, illustrated by Suling Wang.
For a book with magic in the title, this book takes a while to get to the fantasy part. The first chapters are all about establishing the setting – early 1960s San Francisco – and characters. The tale of a magic paintbrush given to a poor boy who uses it to spread happiness is a Chinese story that has been retold many times, mostly in picture books. Yep has a unique historical Chinese-American spin to his version though.
Chapters are between 5 and 12 pages long. Each has a small illustration after the chapter title, and most have a full page illustration within the chapter. The cover gives some idea of the black and white interior artwork. I was impressed by Wang’s artistic skill. The ability to convey a child’s drawing changing to real life within a drawing itself is more complicated than most illustrations. When you add the historical setting and fantastical elements, her skill is even more impressive.
Fantasy lovers will have to persevere through the first two chapters that introduce the characters and setting, before getting to the magic.
However, I’m not entirely impressed with the way the illustrations were printed. The interior illustrations are reproduced in black and white, and while some transitioned well, others lost a lot of nuance. It’s clear from the results that the interior illustrations were painted with colors much like the cover. While I appreciate publishers trying to keep costs down, color interior paintings would have added a lot to this book.
The other quibble I have is that this book is not body-positive. As I’ve mentioned in the past, the original publication date is something that I consider. In this case the genre also applies that this is set in the past and the early 1960s is not known for awareness of different body types.
However, the comments mostly apply to one chapter about Mr. Pang. He is not coded as overweight beforehand, although he’s definitely a villain from his first mention. Instead he is forcefed gourmet meals through a situation of his own making and greed.
Some of the descriptions and comments, as well as the unfortunate characterization of a negative, greedy character as overweight, could still be problematic. They are few enough though, that a well-prepared teacher, librarian, parent, or caregiver could alter them during read-alouds. However I would avoid this for students who struggle with body positivity or who might be triggered with the mention of force feeding.
Because this is short and crosses genres, I’ve often seen it assigned as a class or small group read, or used as a read-aloud. Incorporating elements of historical fiction and fantasy, with the major bonus of an Asian-American main cast, this book is deservedly popular. It also deals with loss and poverty in a sensitive manner.
The relationship between Steve and his grandfather starts off full of misunderstandings and poor communication, but grows throughout the story into a true family relationship. They both manage to communicate their needs through the magic paintbrush and gain some understanding of each other.
Steve and his family are surprised by a steak on page 20 of The Magic Paintbrush.
Part of me hoped for a sequel to this one. There is so much more to explore with the paintbrush, the Lady on the Moon, and their new lives. But the story really is more about the relationship Steve has with his grandfather and Uncle Fong – and that comes to a natural conclusion by the end of this book.
I’d recommend this for teachers, librarians, or as a family read-aloud. With just 11 chapters, this book can be completed in two weeks or less as a read-aloud, or within a month as a structured group read. Steve is in third grade, and this is structured somewhat like an early chapter book, but the vocabulary and complexity put it higher, in the upper elementary/lower MG range. The short chapters and low reading level could make it achievable for hi-lo readers if they aren’t turned off by the protagonist’s age.
Some of the descriptions and comments, as well as the unfortunate characterization of a negative, greedy character as overweight, could still be problematic. They are few enough though, that a well-prepared teacher, librarian, parent, or caregiver could alter them during read-alouds. However I would avoid this for students who struggle with body positivity or who might be triggered with the mention of force feeding.
Some may argue that dunking on a mascot is disrespectful or unnecessary. Mascots are not active participants in the game and are considered to be off-limits when it comes to physicality on the court. However, others see this as just another example of the excitement and showmanship that comes with professional basketball. Spectacular dunks have long been a staple of the sport, and dunking on a mascot adds an element of surprise and entertainment value that captivates fans. While some may argue that dunks on mascots detract from the seriousness of the game, it is important to remember that basketball, at its core, is a form of entertainment. It is a sport that brings people together and provides them with moments of awe and excitement. And Aaron Gordon's dunk on a mascot is a perfect example of this. It created a lasting memory for fans and gave them something to cheer about. In conclusion, Aaron Gordon's vicious dunk on a mascot is a remarkable display of athleticism and showmanship. While some may criticize the act as disrespectful or unnecessary, it is important to recognize that basketball is ultimately about entertainment. This dunk provided fans with an unforgettable moment that will be remembered for years to come..
Reviews for "Dunk of the Year: Aaron Gordon Obliterates Mascot with Ferocious Jam"
1. Jessica - 1 star
I found "Aaron Gordon viciously dunking on a mascot" to be extremely distasteful and disrespectful. As an animal lover, I couldn't bear to watch the mascot being humiliated like that. The whole concept of glorifying such aggression and violence is just not entertaining to me. I hope to see more positive and lighthearted content in the future.
2. Robert - 2 stars
While I understand the athleticism and talent displayed by Aaron Gordon in the video, I couldn't help but feel sorry for the person inside the mascot suit. It must have been embarrassing for the mascot to be dunked on so forcefully in front of a huge crowd. I believe there are better ways to showcase skills without resorting to belittling others. I would prefer to see videos that promote inclusivity and respect for all individuals involved.
3. Michael - 1 star
I must admit, I was thoroughly disgusted by "Aaron Gordon viciously dunking on a mascot." It was nothing but a display of bullying and humiliation. The whole video left me with a bitter taste, as the mascot was clearly defenseless against such a powerful dunk. I believe we should encourage uplifting and positive content, rather than content that promotes aggression and dominance over others. This video did not sit well with me at all.
4. Sarah - 2 stars
I wasn't a fan of "Aaron Gordon viciously dunking on a mascot." It felt unnecessary and cruel to subject someone in a mascot suit to such humiliation. Although I understand it may be part of the entertainment aspect in sports, it still rubbed me the wrong way. I'd prefer to see videos that celebrate teamwork, camaraderie, and positive sportsmanship rather than focusing on the dominance of one individual over another.