Blazers' Anfernee Simons wins abbreviated slam dunk contest at NBA All-Star Game

Portland’s Anfernee Simons brought innovation to the All-Star slam dunk contest. Indiana’s Cassius Stanley displayed acrobatics with his 46-inch vertical. New York’s Obi Toppin showed force and leaping ability.

In an abbreviated dunk contest at halftime of the All-Star Game at Atlanta’s State Farm Arena, the 21-year-old, 6-3 Simons won the event.

"It's definitely a dream come true," he said. "Just watching the dunk contest over the years growing up, it's one of the premier contests if not the premier contest next to the game in All-Star Weekend. Having a chance to come in and be a part of it and win it, it's surreal."

On his one dunk in the finals against Toppin, Simons bounced the basketball off the court and with a one-handed dunk, while suspended in the air, pretended to kiss the rim.

"Just going over like crazy ideas, just actually joking about it, just talking like, 'I'm trying to go up there and kiss the rim and dunk it and see how it goes,' " Simons said. "I'm like, 'Let's actually do it this time.' That's something that nobody has ever done that's very unique, very creative to do."

Toppin leapt over teammate Julius Randle and his dad, Obadiah Toppin, for windmill dunk, but it was not enough to sway the judges.

There was a slight change to the judging in this year’s contest. The winner was decided by judge's choice after both finalists completed their dunks.

Judges Dominque Wilkins, Dee Brown and Jason Richardson voted for Simons’ dunk. Spud Webb and Josh Smith gave their vote to Toppin.

First-round dunks were still judged on the 50-point scale.

On his first dunk of the first round, Simons placed a basketball on a platform attached the backboard 18 inches above the rim.

"Shout out to Coach Oz (Portland assistant coach Dale Osbourne)," Simons said. "He came up with the first idea on the dunk, putting something — at first we did velcro on the side of the backboard, but it was like, if we could put something on the rim that gets the ball up there, that would be amazing, especially on the replay." 

At the height of his vertical leap, he grabbed the ball and dunked it. On his second dunk of the first round, he wore a Tracy McGrady jersey and replicated a McGrady dunk from the 2000 dunk contest.

There were no 50s — Simons came closest with a 49 on his T-Mac dunk.

The three contestants were paired with a historically black college or university to provide "financial support for students, faculty or programs that address emergency aid, technology needs, food insecurities and mental health services exacerbated by the pandemic," according to the NBA.

Each HBCU represented by the players will receive a $50,000 donation toward their respective school, with the winner adding an additional $100,000. AT&T will also provide a $100,000 contribution for the three dunkers — $40,000 for the winner and $30,000 for each runner-up.

Follow Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt.