NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2017: A Night to Remember

On February 18, 2017, the Verizon Up Challenge presented by T-Mobile hosted the NBA Slam Dunk contest.html">Contest at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. The event brought together some of the most talented dunkers in the league to compete for the coveted title.

This year''s contest featured a unique format, with five participants competing in two rounds each. In the first round, each player had 90 seconds.html">seconds to complete as many dunks as possible, earning points based on their creativity and execution. The top four players then moved on to the final round, where they performed one dunk apiece.

Zach LaVine, the reigning champion from the previous year''s contest, was looking to defend his title. He was joined by a talented field of competitors, including Donovan Mitchell, who would ultimately emerge as the winner. Other participants included Andre Drummond, Victor Oladipo, and Aaron Gordon.

The competition was fierce, with each player showcasing their unique style and flair. LaVine impressed with his signature " Between-the-Legs" dunk, while Mitchell wowed the crowd with a thunderous two-handed jam. Drummond brought the energy with a high-flying alley-oop, and Oladipo showed off his versatility with a behind-the-backboard finish.

In the end, it was Donovan Mitchell who took home the trophy, earning an average score of 97.3 points from the judges. LaVine finished second with an impressive score of 95.6, while Drummond and Gordon rounded out the top four.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is always a highlight of the All-Star Weekend, and this year''s event did not disappoint. With its unique format and talented lineup of competitors, it was a night to remember for fans of the game.