Portland Trail Blazers star Anfernee Simons wins NBA All-Stars Dunk Contest

The NBA All-Stars Dunk Contest was embroiled in controversy after a young gun was “robbed” by a baffling call from the judges.

Portland Trail Blazers star Anfernee Simons has bettered two NBA rookies to win the NBA All-Stars Dunk Contest on Monday afternoon AEDT.

But the first round at State Farm Arena was embroiled in controversy, with viewers baffled by the judges’ scoring of Indiana Pacers young gun Cassius Stanley.

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Stanley stunned the commentators with his first attempt — retrieving the ball, swooping it through his legs and completing the dunk in one swift movement.

But to everyone’s surprise, the Indiana Pacers youngster only received 44 from a possible 50 points, with fans voicing their confusion on social media.

Cassius Stanley starting things off with a bang 💥#ATTSlamDunkpic.twitter.com/hN8gpyjCq1

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 8, 2021

Radio host Brian Finneran tweeted: “That was 10. 44 is absurd.”

The Athletic’s Jay King posted: “I’m so mad for Cassius Stanley.”

NBA reporter Andy Bailey tweeted: “Dunk contest is one of the only events when some form of fan voting makes sense. Score on that first Cassius Stanley dunk was a joke.”

Cassius Stanley got robbed by the judges on that first dunk.

— Jamie Tworkowski (@jamietworkowski) March 8, 2021

Cassius was robbed in the first round.

— Alex Kennedy (@AlexKennedyNBA) March 8, 2021

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However, the bizarre snub ultimately did not matter — Stanley lost his rhythm with the second dunk, failing to complete a couple of attempts before performing a considerably easier motion to register just 37.

Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green posted: “They robbed Cassius … then he robbed himself.”

Meanwhile, New York Knicks star Toppin was awarded a 46 for his second dunk, during which he successfully performed a windmill over the top of his dad and teammate Julius Randle.

Toppin and Simons progressed through to the final, and the latter was named the victor after attempting to kiss the rim during his dunk.

Although he was unable to pull of the feat, the judges simply couldn’t ignore the 21-year-old’s impressive elevation.

Anfernee Simons almost kissed the rim 😯#ATTSlamDunkpic.twitter.com/1BXYOP8cJS

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) March 8, 2021

But after the contest came to a close, popular sports columnist Skip Bayliss tweeted: “Best dunk of the night was Cassius Stanley’s first.”

FIRST ROUND SCORES

Anfernee Simons, Blazers — 46, 49 (95)

Obadiah Toppin, Knicks — 48, 46 (94)

Cassius Stanley, Pacers — 44, 37 (81)