The weekend came, bringing with it the Saturday All-Star festivities, headlined by the Dunk Contest. There was a significant amount of hype for Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Zach LaVine heading into the Sprite All-Star Dunk Contest.
Anyone that has seen him play knows that he has freakishly athletic hops.
For those who have witnessed his athleticism, it came as no surprise that he would win the contest.
2015 #SpriteSlam Champ @ZachLaVine hoists his new hardware! #NBAAllStarNYC pic.twitter.com/jSPMggBlLm
— NBA (@NBA) February 15, 2015
LaVine won the contest with an array of dazzling dunks that showcased his athleticism and flair.
He did not let up, making it his goal to try for perfect scores (50 points) in each round. The effort was rewarded with the crown, and the rookie was beyond elated.
I’m still on cloud nine. I feel like I’m dreaming. Seeing all the Dunk Contests and people hoisting the trophy. I just saw myself do it and lived it.”
The response from people around the league, particularly from NBA athletes themselves, was incredulous.
#LaVine #DunkContest wow!!!
— Pau Gasol (@paugasol) February 15, 2015
Tried to tell yall smh.. Yall gone listen to me one day ..!!! @ZachLaVine
— Troy Daniels (@troydaniels) February 15, 2015
I want to see Terrence Ross vs. Zach LaVine — Scot Harvath (@24Bazemore) February 15, 2015
Zach Lavine out there actin UP! — Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 15, 2015
And he throwin the rock straight through the net
— Damian Lillard (@Dame_Lillard) February 15, 2015
Said it when I saw @ZachLaVine at @JCrossover Pro Am this summer it wouldn’t be much of a competition. Looks like another Seattle Dunk champ
— Spencer Hawes (@spencerhawes00) February 15, 2015
Lavineeeeeee!!!! — Tiago Splitter (@tiagosplitter) February 15, 2015
Thats it!! give it to him! Lavine!!!! — Tiago Splitter (@tiagosplitter) February 15, 2015
Someone needs to dig up my tweet from last yr all star weekend saying Zach would win last yrs dunk contest.
— SLOWMO (@KyleAnderson5) February 15, 2015
Congrats bro @ZachLaVine. Well deserve!!!
— Gorgui Dieng (@GorguiDieng) February 15, 2015
A video posted by rudy gobert (@rudygobert27) on
Zach LaVine made those dunks look easy. #2015DunkChamp — Jason Smith (@JasonSmith014) February 15, 2015
Congrats champ as if there was any doubt #206 #slamchamp http://t.co/EplH8ib5tK pic.twitter.com/dPmBtYGyBo — Jason Terry (@jasonterry31) February 15, 2015
Imagine when he learns how to really play basketball – freak athlete #ZachLaVine https://t.co/ruNlQ4Tu4q””
— Doug Gottlieb (@GottliebShow) February 15, 2015
This guy @ZachLaVine is going to win the dunk contest for the rest of his career!!!
— Isaiah Thomas (@Isaiah_Thomas) February 15, 2015
OMG #ZachLavine got the most bounce in the league by far — Gerald Henderson (@GhJr09) February 15, 2015
A number of people started to throw LaVine into the argument for greatest dunker of all-time, putting his name in the conversation with Vince Carter.
Say what you want… But aside from Vince Carter in 2000… Zach Lavine is right there, next to him, for best all time.
— Meyers Leonard (@MeyersLeonard11) February 15, 2015
Yo, put em down in that young Vince conversation. #Lavine — Tony Allen (@aa000G9) February 15, 2015
#ZachLavine (RT) or #VinceCarter (FV) ? — Ricky Rubio (@rickyrubio9) February 15, 2015
Zach LaVine is the best slam dunk contest dunker of all time. Better than than Vince Carter. #SlamDunkContest #AllStarSaturdayNight
— Wally Szczerbiak (@wallyball) February 15, 2015
Both Los Angeles Clippers guard Jamal Crawford and forward Spencer Hawes, both of whom hail from Seattle, Washington — LaVine’s home state, suggest that he still has dunks far more impressive in store for fans.
You guys haven’t seen anything yet with @ZachLaVine …#justsaying — Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) February 15, 2015
One day y’all will believe me. I tell no lies lol..
— Jamal Crawford (@JCrossover) February 15, 2015
He didn’t even do the windmill from the free throw line either. Must be saving it to defend the belt. #SlamDunkContest
— Spencer Hawes (@spencerhawes00) February 15, 2015
A windmill dunk from the free throw line? Seriously? Can we get a YouTube video or something? Do we have to wait until the 2016 NBA All-Star Dunk Contest?
If anything, hopefully we will get to witness some more amazing dunks during the second half of the season.
Previous Tweet Posts:
Tweet of the Night: Drake Releases New Album in Shroud of Secrecy
Michael Brumagin writes the Tweet of the Day for SheridanHoops.com and is also a correspondent for BleacherReport.com. Follow @mbrumagin