"INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won the Slam Dunk contest at NBA All-Star Saturday, overcoming perfect scores by San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant on his first dunk in the final round. For his final dunk, Johnson started behind the judges' table, took off from the free throw line and threw down a one-handed windmill jam."
"Bryant earned the contest's highest score for his first dunk in the final. He bounced the ball in front of him, caught it between his legs and dunked with his right hand, earning perfect 50.0 marks from all five judges. But Bryant struggled on his second dunk. He missed his first two tries, pausing to talk to Vince Carter in between. He attempted bouncing the ball off the glass and throwing down a reverse but it rolled around the rim and out."
"It wasn't enough, giving the NBA a new slam dunk champion in Johnson. He accepted the trophy from Hall of Famer Julius Erving after shaking hands with all of the judges. "All the kids out there, keep dreaming, anything can happen," Johnson said. "I just came out here and showed people." If there'd been a dance contest, Johnson would have won that, too. He came dancing onto the court, smiling all the way, and danced after claiming the title."
Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat won the NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest, defeating San Antonio rookie Carter Bryant. Johnson's final dunk began behind the judges' table; he took off from the free-throw line and completed a one-handed windmill that secured the title. Bryant earned perfect 50s from all five judges on his first final dunk with a between-the-legs finish, but he struggled on his second dunk, missing two attempts and converting a simpler third try. Johnson accepted the trophy from Hall of Famer Julius Erving and celebrated by dancing. The four-man field included Jaxson Hayes and Jase Richardson, who did not advance, and Mac McClung did not participate.
Read at ABC7 San Francisco
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