All the Raptors sightings at NBA All-Star Saturday Night
NBA All-Star weekend continued on Saturday night in Los Angeles, and the Toronto Raptors were on everyone’s minds. At least on this side of the border.
First up, Kyle Lowry stepped on the court to compete in the JBL Three-Point Contest for the third straight year — although he’s never advanced to the final round.
This year would be no different; Lowry racked up a mere 11 points after missing 4-of-5 shots from the moneyball rack.
Phoenix Suns’ Devin Booker finished the first round with 19 points, and then broke the record in the final round with 28 points as he was crowned 3-point champ.
Fun was had. #JBL3PT pic.twitter.com/UAkAstZwGZ
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 18, 2018
Like any true friend, Lowry’s BFF and backcourt buddy DeMar DeRozan was sitting front row to tease him about his results afterwards.
Come on, @DeMar_DeRozan that's not nice!
Way to rep the city, @Klow7! pic.twitter.com/O62cgZgDvE
— Toronto Raptors (@Raptors) February 18, 2018
But Lowry’s lackluster performance wasn’t all that had Toronto basketball fans talking.
Although this year’s Slam Dunk Contest didn’t feature any players from north of the border, Raptors fans were still treated to a dunk that hit it close to home when Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell took on the Lakers’ Larry Nance Jr. in the final round.
Donovan Mitchell with a Vince Carter homage. pic.twitter.com/no8vWRwgSK
— RealGM (@RealGM) February 18, 2018
After three dunks, including an impressive alley-oop to himself and another dunk where he jumped over his sister and Kevin Hart (which scored his first perfect 50 of the night), Mitchell changed into a vintage Vince Carter jersey and paid homage to the Dunk Contest legend’s famed 360 from the 2000 Slam Dunk Contest.
And he went full Vinsanity.
That throwback jam scored Mitchell his second perfect 50 from a judging panel (which included celebs like Mark Wahlberg and DJ Khaled) of the night, and earned him the title of Slam Dunk Champion.
Half-(Spida)man, Half-Amazing #itsover pic.twitter.com/y6gXK7nqHq
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 18, 2018
And fans from around the world were equally impressed as the judges were with the 21-year-old’s reenactment of the former-Raptor’s dunk.
Although, let’s be real: VC will always be the G.O.A.T..
A solid tribute to the King of the Dunk Contest. #VinceCarter #NBAAllStar 1️⃣5️⃣#Repost @thescore (@get_repost) https://t.co/xwQ2wRGg5p
— Parley Venezuela (@ParleyVenezuela) February 18, 2018
@spidadmitchell WILL BE an all-time great!!! KILLED that dunk contest wearing the #VinceCarter jersey!!! Future #NBAAllStar and future Hall of Famer!!!
— Ryan Andrews (@flyry33) February 18, 2018
Donovan! It's over! It's over ladies and gentlemen! #VerizonDunk #VinceCarter #HalfManHalfAmazing
— Erkmen (@erkmenuzer) February 18, 2018
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