Landon Buford
Recently, the reigning Slam Dunk Champion Donovan Mitchell announced that he would not be participating in this year’s contest in Charlotte, North Carolina. As it was first reported by Deseret News, Eric Woodyard.
“I loved doing the dunk contest last year, and it was a ton of fun, but I also know it takes a lot of focus, practice, and preparation,” Mitchell told the Deseret News. “Right now, my mind is really on helping my team make a deep run (in the) second half of the season. I’m excited though, for the weekend, I’m going to be able to be a part of some great events.“
Earlier this season, I spoke with Mitchell about one of his idols growing up, Vince Carter, who he paid homage to in last year’s contest in Los Angeles. Mitchell took us back to the 2000 dunk contest, as he not only pulled out a retro Raptors jersey with Vince’s name on it, he also did a reverse 360 dunk that ultimately secured Vince’s slam dunk crown back in the new Millennium.
Earlier this season, I spoke with Mitchell and asked him how long did he think Carter could play for “Man You look at a guy like Vince, who I’ve talked to on several incidences. It is so impressive the way he takes care of himself and doesn’t look as old as he is, which is very impressive. He continues to work, and he is going to do great out there in Atlanta giving them guidance and also being a piece of that team. I hope this is not his last year because it’s just an honor to play against a guy like Vince.”
Also Earlier this Season, I had the opportunity to speak with Carter and asked him what he thought about Mitchell’s tribute to him in the Dunk contest.
“It was great. Personally, when I saw him we had a conversation and I thanked him for it“ Out of all dunks in that contest that was the only dunk that I actually saw. So, it was cool to see more so, than anything with paying homage. He was able to pull it off, that’s kind of biggest thing,“ Carter told me.
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