CHICAGO – Even after going through the list of past winners, it's hard to believe Orlando Magic forward Aaron Gordon has never won the Slam Dunk Contest.
This will be the third time the highflyer enters All-Star Saturday Night's main event and though he's made a significant impact on the history of the contest, he's yet to take home the hardware.
As you probably remember, Gordon was a part of the legendary, and arguably greatest dunk contest of all-time back in 2016 when he and Zach LaVine went back and forth, trading perfect 50 scores until he ultimately finished in second place.
He also came up short to Glenn Robinson III in 2017, but he's back with a vengence with some new stuff in store for NBA fans.
"I'm going to be pretty straight-forward with it. I've got some dunks that have never been done in an NBA Dunk Contest before," Gordon told the scrum at All-Star media availability. "I'm going to take a chance with some of my dunks. We'll see how it goes."
When you take into consideration how much has already been done in the Slam Dunk Contest, combined with Gordon's creativity that we've seen before and his freakish athleticism, it should be a treat for all viewers if he's pulling out some never-before-seen stuff.
And although the current field is currently set at Gordon, Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr., Milwaukee Bucks forward Pat Connaughton and Los Angeles Lakers centre Dwight Howard, Gordon isn't counting out the possibility of a stealthy late entry by a familiar foe.
Although fans desperately wanted a rematch between Gordon and Chicago Bulls guard LaVine, the former two-time champion elected to participate in the 3-point contest instead. But after LaVine was seen practicing a 360 dunk from the free throw line on social media on Friday, Gordon isn't counting out his fellow competitor making a late entry in his now-home city.
“Yeah I wouldn’t be surprised if he came out. In his hometown (as a Chicago Bull), as a surprise addition as that fifth dunker… I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Lastly, Gordon paid tribute to one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history in Atlanta Hawks forward and Toronto Raptors legend Vince Carter, declaring the "Super Fly" reverse 360 windmill as his favourite dunk of all-time.
MORE: What are the greatest dunks in Slam Dunk Contest history?
That dunk helped Carter win the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, and perhaps Gordon will try to channel some inner Vinsanity when he aims to win his first title this Saturday.