In a dunk-contest filled with previous champions, and an immense amount of hype, Toronto Raptors‘ rookie Terrence Ross was overlooked by it all. With participants such as Gerald Green, Kenneth Faried, and heavily favored James “flight” White, it didn’t seem as if the 8th overall pick in 2012, would make much noise against these highly recognized high-flyers. Even with an impressive showcase of dunks throughout the first half of the season, many still weren’t too high on Mr. Ross himself. With doubters however, comes a great deal of motivation, and that’s what helped Terrence Ross place his name among the dunk-contest’s best. Through all the scrutiny, and help from us fans (receiving 58% of the final vote), Terrence Ross was standing tall, as this year’s Sprite Slam Slam Dunk Champion.
Photo Source: The Associated Press
Team Round
With this year being an “East vs West” All-Star Saturday Night format, Terrence Ross was representing the East, along with James White, and Gerald Green. Due to this year’s “East vs West” format, it now meant that the dunker with the highest score (after two dunks), from each conference, would go on to the finals. Being placed in a group with the likes of James White, and Gerald Green (both in which have had dunk contest experience), it didn’t seem too promising for the rookie out of Washington. Experience or not however, both White and Green disappointed many, and finished with non-respectable scores, leaving the door wide open for Terrence Ross. With his first dunk wowing the judges (a behind the back 360), Ross earned a perfect 50. Not needing much for his second dunk (a self-bounce pass that ended with a 360 one-handed slam), Ross still managed to pull off a 49, totaling his score to an East best, 99. That score was more than enough to get the job done, moving him onto the final round.
Photo Source: The Associated Press
Final round
This dunk contest had a ton of hype leading up to it, and the team round certainly failed to exceed any expectations. The final round on the other hand, was a different story, as Terrence Ross and Jeremy Evans, showcased a couple of electrifying dunks. With Jeremy Evans setting the bar quite high, it was time for Terrence Ross to out-perform the defending slam dunk champion. Paying a little tribute to “Air Canada”, Ross came out sporting a Vince Carter Toronto Raptors jersey, and displayed his own little air show, showcasing his inner Carter himself. He brought out fellow Houston Rockets rookie Terrence Jones to help him with his first dunk of the finals, as he threw Ross a pass of the side of the backboard, which led to a high-flying finish. To top it all off, Ross closed it out with a bang, as he jumped over one of the ball boy’s, finishing with a between the legs finish. Everything Ross had to do was done, as it was now up to the fans to decide who the winner was going to be. Receiving 58% of the final vote, Ross was voted as the well-deserved dunk champion, becoming just the second-ever Toronto Raptor, to win the event.
(TO WATCH ALL OF TERRENCE ROSS’ DUNKS, CHECK LINK BELOW)
Photo Source: Sports Illustrated
Photo Source: The Associated Press
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