Dennis Smith Jr was one of the favorites to win the 2018 NBA Slam Dunk contest. The rookie out of NC State had many clamoring for the guard to enter the contest after he showed off his skills almost immediately after he was drafted. Smith Jr first lit up Summer League and then took his dunking talents to the preseason and regular season for the Dallas Mavericks.
Then it was time for the 2018 Slam Dunk Contest and Smith wanted to come out swinging. After fellow competitor Victor Oladipo did not register a successful dunk, Smith was up next. The guard delivered a double pump backscratcher slam which was great. Maybe not a 50 but it was solid.
His next time up, Smith went up for a spectacular between-the-legs 360 slam which saw him switch hands in air. He got a 50 for his efforts.
But when it was all said and done, Smith came up short and he was eliminted before the finals. Larry Nance Jr and Donovan Mitchell went head-to-head and the victory eventually went to Mitchell.
After the contest, Smith took to twitter to ask one question. How did he get a 39 for his successful double pump dunk when Victor Oladipo recorded a 31 for not even successfully registering a dunk?
@Dennis1SmithJr Double pump= 39@VicOladipo No dunk= 31
What that look like?
— Dennis Smith Jr. (@Dennis1SmithJr) February 18, 2018
