Wall’s sensational slam earns him the trophy despite stunning efforts elsewhere.
It was another stunning display of dunks from the NBA’s finest on NBA All-Star Saturday, with Washington Wizards star John Wall taking home the title.
With a new format this year, the players began with a freestyle round which saw the East outdo the West in a 90-second period to execute as many dunks as possible.
Terrence Ross began the three-man dunk by throwing the ball off the backboard to John Wall, who in turn lobbed it off the overhead shot clock for Paul George to race in and slam it home.
The three one-on-one battles then followed as George and Ross defeated Harrison Barnes and Damian Lillard respectively.
Both Eastern Conference representatives put up fine efforts with the Toronto Raptors star receiving help off artist Drake before delivering a filthy between-the-legs jam.
George had been tipped to steal the show after a number of incredible in-game dunks this season, but unfortunately for the Indiana Pacers man he was unable to claim to be the best of all contenders on the night.
Nevertheless, his through-the-legs 360 dunk was a highlight, and he can be content with his effort which delighted the fans in attendance in New Orleans.
However, the best was undoubtedly saved until last as Wall stepped up to deliver the slam of the night to take home the trophy.
“There’s some ideas out there. It’s just the dunks are very hard to do,” Wall said. “You’ve just got to trust yourself to go out there and try, and try to master it.”
“It seemed hard, but for me it came out to be easy, so it worked out in my favor,” Wall said.
McLemore came out with all the props wearing a king’s robe as he was accompanied to the court by Shaquille O’Neal who took a seat in a king’s throne.
The Kings star made it over O’Neal’s throne on his second attempt as the franchise part-owner presented him with a crown to top off a solid effort.
However, Wall stole the show as he stepped up to stun both the crowd and the three judges, Magic Johnson, Julius Erving and Dominique Wilkins.
“The slam dunk has returned,” said Erving, one of the NBA’s most famed dunkers, after witnessing the point guard’s leap.
Despite the absence of big names such as Blake Griffin and LeBron James who have been criticised for not taking part, it was certainly a dunk contest to remember as fans were left on their feet courtesy of this effort from Wall.
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