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Jeremy Evans Spent 2 Weeks Painting His Slam Dunk 'Masterpiece'

Gabe Zaldivar@gabezalPop Culture Lead WriterFebruary 17, 2013

HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 16:  Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz signs a painting of himself after he dunked over it in the final round during the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest part of 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend at the Toyota Center on February 16, 2013 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

You might want to reconsider the artistry used in Saturday's 2013 NBA Slam Dunk Contest when you learn the painting Jeremy Evans leaped over was created by the flying Utah Jazz player himself, and it took him two weeks. 

I will sidle right up next to the bigger of you slam-dunk cynics who were quick to toss the latest contest into the trash bin of the forgettable. 

Yes, Gerald Green and James White may have fizzled far before they sparked any amount of excitement, but one dunk remained memorable. 

A few slams, misses and clanks into the contest, Jeremy Evans stood one-on-one against the Raptors' Terrence Ross in the finals. 

While the prize would go to his high-flying nemesis, Evans managed to get all of Twitter talking with his first of two attempts in the finals. 

Here is his dunk over what we would later learn was a painting of himself dunking, one he would autograph right after the slam. 

Sure, you might sit on your sofa, watching what was an otherwise forgettable affair, and proclaim Evans get brownie points for creativity. 

You have no idea. 

The 25-year-old didn't just think this slam dunk up on a whim; he planned it out in the form of a beautiful self-portrait. 

Simply, it was a slam dunk that took far more talent and imagination than we considered. 

Utah Jazz beat writer Bill Oram reports Evans is some kind of amazing. 

Tony Jones @tribjazz

Here's the world's most famous painting of a slam dunk, by Jeremy Evans. http://t.co/F06tUt9V

Tony Jones @tribjazz

Jeremy Evans said he spent the last week and a half on that painting. It will now go to a charity.

Tony Jones @tribjazz

Jeremy Evans said idea for easel dunk came from Jazz player development man Johnnie Bryant. @jbryant3

Oh, and you thought you heard the last of this amazing story. 

Tony Jones @tribjazz

How detailed was Evans' painting? He didn't paint ball until last night when he knew what it would look like.

We agree completely with CBS Sports' Matt Moore. Had we known beforehand—something that would have obviously ruined the shock value—we would have all appreciated the dunk far more. 

Hardwood Paroxysm @HPbasketball

Evans' painting dunk will go down as one of those dunks that had it been explained, would have gone over bigger. Ross better but still.

In fact, this would have won the contest for me. 

Hardwood Paroxysm @HPbasketball

Jeremy Evans paints, Tyson Chandler takes photos, and Larry Sanders draws. We're in a fascinating age of creative-minded big men.

The NBA, it's not just about basketball anymore. 

With that, a ho-hum affair in regard to dunking gets boosted to remarkable measures. 

Terrence Ross gets the grand prize, and we don't want to take away from the man who was the most consistent performer on the night. 

Still, after learning what Evans put into this dunk contest, we have our true big winner on the night. 

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