The 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest ended in controversy thanks to some suspect scoring from Dwyane Wade and the judges, and it looks like the outcome will impact which players decide to participate in future contests. For one, Memphis Grizzlies rookie Ja Morant claims you can totally forget about him competing next year.
Morant, who turned down an invite to compete in the 2020 contest, was active on twitter as the judges handed Aaron Gordon a 47 on his final dunk, essentially gifting the trophy to Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. in the process. As seen in the tweets embedded below, not only was Morant appalled by the scoring, but he insists he has no interest in getting involved in any future dunk contests - even if Zion Williamson is involved.
The 20-year old point guard has already put together quite the impressive in-game dunk highlight reel in just his first 48 NBA games. Unfortunately, it appears as though we'll have to settle for his in-game and pre-game dunks unless the NBA radically changes their Slam Dunk Contest system.
According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, Morant initially decided not to participate in the 2020 event because he wanted to focus on "maintaining good health for the duration of the season." At the time, Morant hadn't ruled out competing in future contests but his feelings have certainly changed.
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Dwyane Wade Claps Back At Dunk Contest Critics
Dwyane Wade weighs in on the 2020 NBA Dunk Contest, says he's not the only one to blame for Aaron Gordon's final score.
Dwyane Wade has received plenty of criticism for the way the 2020 NBA Dunk Contest concluded, but he insists he's not the only one to blame for Aaron Gordon's final score. In case you missed it, the Dunk Contest ended in controversy when Wade, Scottie Pippen and actor Chadwick Boseman all gave Gordon a '9' for his final dunk over 7'5 center Tacko Fall, resulting in a win for Derrick Jones Jr.
Wade, who was clearly favoring his former Miami Heat teammate, was promptly bombarded with nasty messages from disgruntled fans who felt he personally robbed Gordon of his first Dunk Contest crown. Check out the video embedded below to listen to D-Wade's thoughts about all of the hate he has received.
According to a report by ESPN's Ramona Shelburne and Malika Andrews, the five judges had agreed to give Gordon a total score of 48, which would have tied him with Derrick Jones Jr. in the dunk-off. However, it appears that someone (Wade) went rogue, and Gordon ended up with a 47 as a result.
"We thought it was going to be tied. We were like, 'This is a tie!'" Common told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne."But somebody didn't do it right. I don't know who it is."
Needless to say, Gordon was just as frustrated as the fans after he delivered five, perfect 50 dunks in a row only to go home empty handed. "I did four straight 50s -- five straight 50s," Gordon said afterward, per ESPN. "That's over. It's a wrap. Let's go home. Four 50s in a row in an NBA dunk contest, it's over. But I don't know. Who's running the show?"
