NBA Slam Dunk Contest: Anfernee Simons narrowly beats Obi Toppin

Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons was crowned the NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner, narrowly beating out Knicks rookie Obi Toppin.

Portland Trail Blazers guard Anfernee Simons on Sunday was crowned the NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner, narrowly beating out New York Knicks rookie Obi Toppin in the process.

Simons and Toppin each moved onto the final round after Indiana Pacers rookie Cassius Stanley was eliminated after his first two dunks. Stanley, who entered the event favored to win, recorded the lowest score through the first two rounds by the five judges onhand.

From there, Simons and Toppin dueled with one final dunk attempt.

The scoring system was altered this year with the judges each selecting a winner, rather than scoring the dunks like past seasons. After the last two slams were finished, the judges named Simons as the winner by a final vote of 3-2.

Simons would go on to record the highest score of the evening in the second round. He paid homage to Tracy McGrady and pulled out his throwback Toronto Raptors jersey and then threw down what the judges deemed the best dunk of the first two rounds.

While Simons won, it wasn’t without some controversy, however.

The prevailing thought on Twitter was Stanely was robbed on his first dunk by the judges, which included Dee Brown, Jason Richardson, Josh Smith, Spud Webb and Dominique Wilkins.

Stanley only earned a 44 from the group, while many thought he deserved a higher score.

Though Toppin ultimately lost to Simons in the final round, the Knicks rookie was the only contestant to use real-life props. In the second round, Toppin called upon his father and Knicks teammate Julius Randle, and then jumped right over them.

While the Dunk Contest this year lacked overall star power, the three participants put on an entertaining show during halftime of the All-Star Game. For an event that was put together rather last minute, the product still proved to be fun to watch.

This post originally appeared on Rookie Wire! Follow us on Facebook!

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