Aaron Gordon's slam-dunk leap would have beat Olympic high jumpers
Minnesota's Zach LaVine may have won the 2016 Slam Dunk Contest, but Orlando's Aaron Gordon stole the show with a slam-dunk jam whose massive air rivaled that of Olympic high jumpers.
Aaron Gordon's jump at the Dunk Contest would've won the high jump bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics. https://t.co/NiYliV13V3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 16, 2016
According to ESPN's Sport Science, Gordon's jump over his team's mascot (which clocked in at 0.97 seconds, about five percent longer than Michael Jordan's iconic free throw dunk in 1988) reached a remarkable 7'7" height at its apex.
So, Aaron Gordon's dunk would've finished 3rd... in the high jump. At the last Olympics. https://t.co/HXFGT9Y5qd pic.twitter.com/FLAYn5R7ff
— Steve Goldstein (@MKTWgoldstein) February 16, 2016
Not only does that show some freakishly awesome athleticism, but that height would have won Gordon the bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics (though Gordon did get a handy boost from Magic mascot Stuff).
The report also explained LaVine's leap from the free throw line was measured at around 14.8 feet — about the same length as a typical four-door car.
And while that allowed LaVine to go home with the trophy for his second-straight year, it's Gordon's ridiculous air time monster jam that's still got NBA fans talking.
Bryan Kalbrosky produces digital content for FOXSports.com. For more, follow him on Twitter @BryanKalbrosky