NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2012 Results: Video Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Recap
The 2012 dunk contest lacked star power, but the competitors still put on a great show.
After a horribly boring first round, everyone stepped up their game, throwing down sick dunk after sick dunk. My favorite of the night was Jeremy Evan's double dunk over Gordon Hayward, and apparently the fans agreed.
Evans won the event with 29 percent of the fan vote.
Tweets of the Night
Hip hop mogul Diddy was pretty impressed when Chase Budinger jumped over him on his first dunk.
"White men can jump! Lol 10!!!! Lol
— iamdiddy (@iamdiddy) February 26, 2012"
Miami Heat forward Shane Battier has a pretty sweet idea on how to improve the contest.
"All anyone cares about these days is getting dunked on (overrated). If these guys were smart, I'd have someone trying to block the dunk.
— Shane Battier (@ShaneBattier) February 26, 2012"
Grantland's basketball guru Sebastian Pruiti makes an excellent point about props in the dunk contest.
"The two best dunks of the competition had no skits or props...just, you know...dunks...
— SebastianPruiti (@SebastianPruiti) February 26, 2012"
Jeremy Evans' double dunk over Gordon Hayward was one of the filthiest things I've ever seen. The Fake Bill Walton agrees.
"Summoned by the Eye of Thundera, Jeremy Evans invigorates this crowd with a celestial double dunk from Third Earth! THROW IT DOWN!!!!
— The Bill Walton Trip (@NotBillWalton) February 26, 2012"
Must-See Highlights
Check out George busting out the "Tron" dunk, my second favorite of the night.
The dunk of the night belonged to the champion, Evans, though.
Grades
Jeremy Evans: A-
Evans' first dunk was pretty lame, but he made up for it immediately. He cleared Gordon Hayward and threw down two basketballs in one gorgeous motion. For his third dunk, Evans received a package from funny man and Celebrity Game MVP Kevin Hart. After donning a Karl Malone jersey, Evans cleared the diminutive Hart and finished a stylish one-hander.
Paul George: B+
George had a nice dunk in the first round, jumping over 7'2" teammate Roy Hibbert. Then, he took the creativity up a notch with his "Tron" dunk. With the lights out, a glow-in-the-dark George threw down a dope 360 windmill. Unfortunately, he struggled to put down his final dunk, a fancy reverse featuring a sticker of Larry Bird's face.
Chase Budinger: B
Budinger channeled Woody Harrelson in the first round, rocking the backwards hat and proving that white men can jump. After a decent windmill in the second round, he donned a Cedric Ceballos jersey and a blindfold before pulling off a pretty sweet 180 dunk for his final attempt.
Derrick Williams: B-
Williams started off the night by windmilling over a motorcycle. But his best dunk of the night came off an assist from Ricky Rubio. After a perfect pass off the side of the backboard from Rubio, Williams pirouetted through the air to finish strong. For his final dunk, Williams had a great idea, trying to throw down a through-the-legs, off-the-backboard slam. Sadly, he couldn't put it down, opting instead for a routine off-the-backboard dunk.
