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Andrew LopezESPN
Portland’s Anfernee Simons was all smiles as he became the first Trail Blazers player to win the NBA dunk contest, which took place halfway through the All-Star game on Sunday night. Atlanta.
Simons beat rookies Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks and Cassius Stanley of the Indiana Pacers to take home the trophy, which Simons called “a dream come true.”
Simons won the contest at Toppin in the final round through a new rule called “Choice of Judge.” Simons and Toppin each had a fall in the round and, instead of a score, the five judges selected a name, with Simons receiving three votes against Toppin’s two.
“Having the opportunity to get into it and be a part of it and win it, it’s surreal,” Simons said.
For his last mess, Simons started around the corner and threw the ball up. As he grabbed it, he jumped as high as he could and threw a kiss on the edge while being as level as possible. Although he failed to kiss the edge, he showed his vertical leap.
Simons said his goal for the final mess was to kiss the edge, but he also wanted to make sure he didn’t hit his head.
“In practice, I never kissed the edge, but he would say to me,‘ I have to commit, ’” Simons said. I just scratched myself and I’ll just emphasize the soft face so people know I’m on the edge and I’m trying to kiss. “
Simons said he was reviewing wild ideas and actively joking about kiss shit when he discussed his plans for the contest, before deciding to give it a try.
“He was telling me, okay,‘ let’s really do it this time. ’That was something no one had ever done,” Simons said. “It’s just very unique and very creative to do. I think few people can do it. I think that would prove a lot to the judges.”
On his first dive, Simons placed a mini hoop in the goal with a basketball on top. He ran to one side and grabbed the ball from the mini hoop, probably two feet above the edge, and sank it. His second slam was a tribute to Tracy McGrady; Simons wore a T-Mac T-shirt and came out with a 360 bounce wrap.
Presented as “Slam Dunk champion Anfernee Simons” during his media availability after the contest, Simons just smiled and said, “Good presentation.”