So obviously Zach LaVine just totally owned the 2015 Dunk Contest last night. Despite a spirited effort from Victor Oladipo, there was very little to be done about LaVine's seemingly imminent victory. His first dunk was an instant classic, entering to the Space Jam theme performed live by the Quad City DJs, rocking a Tune Squad jersey, and then - on his first attempt - unleashing a seamless off-the-bounce between-the-legs reverse that made some of the World's most gifted athletes prance around like hyperactive children and broke Julius Erving's face:
You knew then and there this thing was a wrap, the broadcast had been switched to the Zach LaVine Hour.
He proceeded to go on a rampage the likes of which the Dunk Contest hadn't seen in years, breathing fresh air into the lungs of a rapidly-dying event. Over the past decade or so, everything from a lack of star power, to gimmicky sideshows (The Kia, 'The Wheel', Nate Robinson), corrupt judging (#FreeDemar) and some insidiously stupid rule changes had maimed what was once All-Star Saturday's marquee draw. After last year's unmitigated disaster (which had exactly one exciting moment, and then abruptly ended), there was extra pressure on the '15 contest, especially the 3-Point Shootout trotting out the A-Team and threatening to steal much of the spotlight.
LaVine's performance last night was an inspiring declaration that the Dunk Contest still mattered; that it wasn't broken beyond repair. Even in an underwhelming field (Giannis Antetokounmpo was a dud and I'm unsure as to why Mason Plumlee was selected to begin with), he carried the show and more than made up for the total lack of outcome-related suspense by building huge anticipation and delivering time and again. Further, he finished very difficult dunks on the first or second try, a refreshing display after years of painfully drawn-out brick reels. It was dominant, transcendent, and couldn't have come at a better time for an event that desperately needed a jolt.
Extra kudos has to go to Adam Silver, or whoever he appointed to scrap the heinous bastardization of a Dunk Contest the NBA tried to serve us last year: the one that had the dunkers on teams, got rid of the first round, gave everyone a single dunk in the finals, and technically didn't crown a champion in the end. The quick return to the classic format was a must; a step back from the contest being in full-on crisis mode. But then Lavine shoved it a few yards further for good measure, delivering a bunch of 'holy shit!' moments, and giving people good reason to be excited about the contest again.
Having LaVine back to defend his crown will give next year's contest default excitement, and with hope the buzz he's created will stir up more competition - although after what we witnessed last night, it's hard to picture what someone beating him might look like.
There's little telling where the Dunk Contest will go from here, but Zach LaVine rescued it from its darkest hour, and gave it hope for a brighter future.
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