In 2016, the world bore witness to perhaps the greatest Slam Dunk contest of all time. Fans, broadcasters, and superstars alike were all in awe of the performance of two men. Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon put on a show that All-Star Weekend. And now, seven years later, people are still talking about some of the incredible dunks. Recently, Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal showed his appreciation for LaVine’s between-the-legs free-throw line dunk, reminding his 31,400,000 followers of the same via Instagram.
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Zach LaVine is one of the most explosive players the NBA had ever seen. His dunking ability is out of this world that helped him win back-to-back Slam Dunk contests in 2015 and 2016. However, after suffering a torn ACL in 2017, things haven’t been the same. Nevertheless, that has not stopped him from being competitive, as he has participated in three-point shooting contests after recovering.
Shaquille O’Neal reminds fans of Zach LaVine’s incredible 2016 dunk on Instagram
Shaquille O’Neal is a man who appreciates good basketball. Especially, when dominance is being displayed on the court. And, in 2016 he saw two of the most dominant dunkers in NBA history perform in the Slam Dunk contest. Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine took the world by storm that night.
Recently, Shaq was in a reminiscent mood, and decided to show one of the dunkers, Zach LaVine some love. So, Big Diesel shared a story on Instagram, showing his admiration for LaVine’s performance. In particular, his incredible between-the-legs-free throw line dunk. However, he didn’t share the clip of the contest.
Rather, Shaq shared a video taken at Venice Beach, where a hooper can be seen performing the same dunk. And, as he did back in 2016, Shaq asked himself and his 31,400,000 followers, how such a dunk was possible.
“How is this possible?”
Shaquille O’Neal shares a dunk on Instagram very similar to one we’ve seen in a previous All-Star Dunk Contest pic.twitter.com/eA3ddcEuxs
— What are NBA Celebs Upto? (@NBACelebsUpdate) July 21, 2023
It’s always nice to see Shaq appreciate greatness. Although it’s a bit surprising he doesn’t understand how a dunk like that is possible. After all, he witnessed it firsthand as a judge all those years ago.
Shaq was one of the judges who witnessed LaVine’s amazing dunk
He may still be amazed by the dunk, but Shaquille O’Neal was one of the many who witnessed it live and in person. On that night back in 2016, Shaq was one of the judges who handed LaVine the win, giving him a “10” for what, everyone can agree, was one of the best dunks in the history of the dunk contest.
Since then, things just haven’t been the same. And, while the 2023 Slam Dunk contest was incredible thanks to Mac McClung, it is highly unlikely we will ever see a hooper with hops and ferocity at the rim like Zach LaVine ever again.
