The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz: Relive Slam Dunk champ Donovan Mitchell’s epic jams

By Ryan Aston

LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz pose for a portrait with the trophy as the winner of the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night of the as part of NBA All-Star 2018 on February 17, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz pose for a portrait with the trophy as the winner of the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night of the as part of NBA All-Star 2018 on February 17, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Utah Jazz Donovan Mitchell NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest
LOS ANGELES, CA – FEBRUARY 17: Donovan Mitchell #45 of the Utah Jazz pose for a portrait with the trophy as the winner of the 2018 Verizon Slam Dunk during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night of the as part of NBA All-Star 2018 on February 17, 2017 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Utah Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell’s star grew on All-Star Saturday Night when he became the second Jazzman to bring home the Slam Dunk Contest trophy.

Move over Jeremy Evans — a new Utah Jazz player has set the standard for high-flying in the NBA.

Taking center stage at All-Star Saturday Night in the Slam Dunk Contest, Jazz rookie Donovan Mitchell did what he’s done throughout his first year as a pro. He made the basketball world take note of his talents, did things we haven’t seen before and captured fans’ imaginations with his innate sense of showmanship.

In doing so, he outlasted Larry Nance, Jr., Victor Oladipo and Dennis Smith Jr. to become the 2018 Dunk Contest champion. Not bad for a guy who wasn’t even part of the event’s original lineup.

Afterword, we weren’t treated to Magic Johnson or Charles Barkley falsely exclaiming that “the Dunk Contest is back!” on TNT’s broadcast as had been the case in years past. No false hype was needed — Mitchell and the rest of the field put on a show.

It may not have been the greatest ever or a transcendent moment in the sport but, at the very least, this year’s contest stood shoulder to shoulder with some of the better ones we’ve seen. And more than anyone else, Mitchell was the straw that stirred the drink.

Here’s a look at the four throwdowns the propelled him to the title and made the Slam Dunk Contest special.

Next: Off the second backboard

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