Zach LaVine’sshowing at the 2015 Slam Dunk Contest in Brooklyn was so dominant and engaging that he immediately received the ultimate compliment from the media afterwards: “Will you be back again next year?”
The high-flying Timberwolves guard is indeed back to defend his crown in Toronto on Saturday. The 20-year-old is the odds-on favorite to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back Dunk Contests, joining Michael Jordan (1987 and 1988), Jason Richardson (2002 and 2003), and Nate Robinson (2009 and 2010).
Although his three challengers—Denver’s Will Barton, Orlando’s Aaron Gordon and Detroit’s Andre Drummond—covers all the bases with their different physiques and dunking styles, none has previously competed in the Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend.