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Dunk grades: LaVine, Gordon make '16 one of the best contests ever

TORONTO — The only grade that matters from Saturday night: A+.

The 2016 Slam Dunk Contest will be remembered as one of the greatest shows in NBA history. At worst, Zach LaVine’s marathon double-overtime victory over Aaron Gordon belongs in the top three in the contest’s history with Michael Jordan over Dominique Wilkins in 1988 and Vince Carter’s epic performance in 2000.

Some, including LaVine himself, may make the case that 2016’s competition, which was layered with creativity and complicated maneuvers, was even better than that. “In my opinion, yes,” the back-to-back champ said, when asked whether Saturday’s contest was the best ever.