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Andrew LopezESPN
Anfernee Simons, from Portland, was all smiles as he became the first Trail Blazers player to win the NBA dunk contest, which took place during the break from the Sunday night All-Star Game in Atlanta.
Simons overcame newcomers Obi Toppin of the New York Knicks and Cassius Stanley of the Indiana Pacers to bring home the trophy, which Simons called “a dream come true”.
Simons won the Toppin contest in the final round through a new rule called “Judge’s Choice”. Simons and Toppin each dumped in the round and, instead of a score, the five judges chose a name, with Simons getting three votes against Toppin’s two.
“To have the chance to enter, be a part of and win, is surreal,” said Simons.
For his final dunk, Simons started in the corner and threw the ball up. When he caught it, he jumped as high as he could and blew a kiss on the edge, being as level as possible. While he missed really kissing the ledge, he displayed his vertical jump.
Simons said his goal for the last dunk was to kiss the ledge, but he also wanted to make sure he didn’t hit his head.
“In practice, I never kissed the edge, but I thought, ‘I have to commit to that,'” said Simons. “I tried to put a mouthpiece at the last minute, but it didn’t fit in my mouth. I just scratched it, and I’m just going to emphasize the affected face so people know I’m close to the edge and trying to kiss.”
Simons said he was reflecting on crazy ideas and actively joking about kissing on the edge when discussing his plans for the contest, before deciding to make a try.
“I was like, right, ‘Let’s really do this this time.’ This was something that no one had ever done, “said Simons.” Very unique and very creative to do. I think some people can really do it. I think that would show the judges a lot. “
In his first dunk, Simons placed a mini basket in the goal with a basketball on top. He ran up the side and grabbed the ball from the mini hoop – probably two feet above the edge – and sank it. His second hit was a tribute to Tracy McGrady; Simons wore a T-Mac shirt and came out with a 360º dunk of the heel.
Presented as “Slam Dunk champion Anfernee Simons” during his post-contest media availability, Simons just smiled and said, “Good introduction.”