Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon originally planned on jumping over Shaquille O’Neal on Saturday night during the Slam Dunk Contest but was forced to make a last-minute switch.
Gordon explained to reporters after the game that O’Neal didn’t want to participate in the dunk. Instead, Gordon improvised and pulled 7-foot-5 center Tacko Fall up from the crowd.
“I wanted to jump over Shaq,” Gordon said. “He didn’t want to do it. It was really for the people. Everybody was like ‘Tacko! Tacko!’ I was like, cool, man, let’s do it. The tallest dude in the gym. Jumping over somebody that’s 7-foot-5.”
Of course, Miami Heat guard Derrick Jones Jr. would be crowned the winner of the event as many believe Gordon was robbed once again after infamously losing previously.
Gordon didn’t agree with the voting results.
“Jumping over somebody 7’5″ and dunking is no easy feat,” Gordon said. “What did I get, like a 47? Come on man. What are we doing?”
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