Zach Lavine took the basketball world by storm with his dominating performance in the NBA 2015 Slam Dunk Contest. The Minnesota Timberwolves forward was the runaway winner with his four dunks reminiscent of the time when Vince Carter took center stage of the competition in 2000. He also paid tribute to Michael Jordan and the movie "Space Jam" on his first dunk that earned 50 points.
While many think Zach Lavine's way to the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk victory was smooth, a Milwaukee Bucks page thinks the result would have been different if Giannis Antetokounmpo did not boycott the dunk competition.
Amid all the excitement over Zach Lavine's dunks, the Milwaukee Bucks page Brew Hoop came up with serious claims that the Greek Freak could have shown more if Brandon Knight was not cheated in the Skills Challenge in favour of Houston Rockets' Patrick Beverley. The page claims this is done by the NBA because Rockets is a better market compared to Bucks. In its post, the Bucks page said the 20-year old sophomore forward boycotted the contest which also includes Mason Plumlee of the Brooklyne Nets and Victor Oladipo of Orlando Magic.
"In an act of bravery and integrity that will surely be remembered for decades to come, Giannis Antetokounmpo elected to boycott the NBA Slam Dunk Contest last night, responding to the shocking events that robbed his teammate Brandon Knight of a well-earned Skills Challenge title. While he was contractually obligated to compete in the event, Giannis elected to "throw" the competition, purposefully flubbing his first few dunks when he totally could have done something awesome had he wanted to. He just didn't want to, obviously."
The post was also accompanied by a Twitter post by Zach Harper of Talk Hoops seemingly suggesting that Brandon Knight was indeed robbed by Beverley.
Patrick Beverley didn’t complete the passing portion. I want a recount. This is rigged.
— Zach Harper (@talkhoops) February 15, 2015
Some Twitter users second Zach Harper's view of the skills challenge.
@talkhoops THEY DIDN'T EVEN SHOW THIS ON TV. It cut away from him and made it look like he made his 3rd pass and went. — Will (@TlMBERWOLVES) February 15, 2015
@talkhoops I knew Patrick Beverley was good at steals but this is ridiculous! #rimshot
— Will Gibbons (@willgibbons) February 15, 2015
Bre Hoops added: “I guess if you're a global superstar like Patrick Beverley and your television market has enough households, you just don't have to complete every part of the competition? Is that it, Commissioner Silver (probably just a shill for Stern anyway)? WHERE DOES IT END?”
Zach Lavine Dunks in the NBA 2015 All-Star Slam Dunk Contest in one Vine.
I'm watching this vine and still in awe. https://t.co/MwDBynDhA8 — Ralph Renz. (@rrenz_s) February 15, 2015
