Slam dunk fans just received terrible news from Zach LaVine.
When All-Star Weekend comes around in February, Chicago Bulls forward LaVine will not be competing in the Slam Dunk Contest, per Sam Smith of Bulls.com. But LaVine did suggest a replacement: Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins.
Breaking news: Zach LaVine out of dunk contest. His choice? "Andrew Wiggins; that was one of the only other dudes that could really beat me."
— Sam Smith (@SamSmithHoops) January 12, 2018
First off all, let's take a take a moment and collectively sign in sadness. LaVine is one of the most exciting dunkers in the NBA, and who can forget that epic battle with Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon a few years ago? The video below will remind you in case you need a refresher.
LaVine and Gordon should have been destined for a rematch of what transpired above. Many thought it was the best Slam Dunk Contest in All-Star Weekend history, even eclipsing the famous duel between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins in the 1980s.
But even more curious is the player LaVine said could really beat him. Wiggins is very, very athletic, but no one really thinks of him as a “dunker.” He definitely has the ability to dunk, but then again most NBA players can get above the rim. That doesn't mean they should be in the dunk contest.
Below is one recent example of a Wiggins dunk during a game.
A better look at Andrew Wiggins' monster dunk! pic.twitter.com/OHGPXFDyBV
— NBA (@NBA) November 27, 2016
Very impressive, but not contest-worthy. Perhaps LaVine is throwing a little bit of shade toward Gordon, who should have won that contest against LaVine and was robbed of the trophy.
Either way, this is bad news for NBA fans everywhere. #LetLaVineDunk.
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