Gordon, 21, waged an epic battle with LaVine in the finals of last February's dunk contest at Toronto's Air Canada Center. That's just one more label for me – and he dunks.'' I have plenty of other tools in my bag and aspects of my game that I'm not concerned about that. “The reputation of me being a dunker, that's fine. “I'm not worried about that because people will put labels where they see fit,'' Gordon said. He isn't worried about being tagged as just a “dunker.'' He's had defensive success against superstar players such as Chris Paul, James Harden, Paul George, Carmelo Anthony, Damian Lillard and C.J. Gordon, who has played predominantly at small forward this season after playing power forward in his first two NBA seasons, has also evolved into Orlando's best defender this season. He scored a career-best 33 points on Dec. He's scored double digits 26 times, 20-or-more points six times and at least 30 points twice. Gordon, 21, has blossomed into a solid all-around player for the Magic this season while averaging 11.4 points, 4.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists a game. To grow up wanting to be in the dunk contest and then to finally be doing it, performing at a high level, it's an incredible feeling.'' “It's incredibly special just to be out there,'' Gordon said of competing on the dunk contest stage with all eyes on him. But Gordon remembers last season's event fondly. In the days leading up to Thursday's announcement, Gordon said he wasn't thinking about the dunk contest as his focus was instead on trying to help the Magic rack up wins. Minnesota guard Zach LaVine, the champion from the past two seasons, declined to enter and potentially create a rematch with Gordon – something that was hoped for by basketball fans electrified by last year's exhilarating finale. Gordon, Orlando's third-year forward, should be a heavy favorite while competing against Los Angeles Clippers' center DeAndre Jordan, Indiana forward Glen Robinson III and Phoenix rookie forward Derrick Jones Jr. The NBA announced the participants on Thursday for this year's dunk contest during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, which will be held Feb. ORLANDO – A runner-up last year, but easily the star of the show with his creativity and acrobatics in dunking, Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon will get another chance at taking home the NBA Slam Dunk Contest title at the NBA All-Star Game later this month.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |