Not many banked on Anfernee Simons to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. After all, he's more known as a shooter with the Portland Trail Blazers. But Simons took home the trophy, proving he doesn't need the approval of people. Well, maybe except Zach LaVine.
In the postgame interview, the 21-year-0ld Simons was asked why he kept on talking to LaVine during the event, and he admitted he was seeking the nod of the Chicago Bulls' All-Star guard (via Rob Perez).
“I was just going to him saying like ‘Was that worthy?' Cause he's a guy that, you know, is a part of arguably the greatest Dunk Contest of all time. So he knows when he sees a great dunk. A dunk that's worthy, 40 (points), 50 even. So I was going to him like ‘How was that?' ‘Should I do something else?' ‘Should I do this?' ‘Come down next time?'”
Anfernee Simons says he went over to Zach LaVine multiple times to ask if his dunks were “worthy”. pic.twitter.com/u6R9gHch0t
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) March 8, 2021
Obviously, Simons picked the right guy to ask in LaVine as he beat New York Knicks rookie Obi Toppin and Indiana Pacers swingman Cassius Stanley for the NBA Slam Dunk Contest trophy, becoming the first player from the Trail Blazers to achieve the feat.
LaVine was seen several times applauding the aerial acrobatics of the young participants, so safe to assume he was quite impressed. He, however, has already stated that he's done with the NBA Slam Dunk Contest after winning back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016, although his last one against Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon is still being debated up to this day.
Hey, maybe Anfernee Simons can get Zach LaVine to join again. That would surely get everyone's approval.
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