The NBA Slam Dunk Contest during All-Star Weekend created a buzz of excitement and controversy as Blake Griffin took home the title, defeating JaVale McGee of the Washington Wizards.

Blake Griffin was determined to be the winner by a 68 percent fan vote after he leaped over the hood of a Kia Optima, beating out other contestants such as Demar Derozan of the Toronto Raptors and Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The winning dunk has caused controversy that creativity trumps athleticism in today’s contest.

“The trend has been creativity over athleticism,” said UNA senior and political science major Jackson Lambert. “I have never seen someone dunk over a car, and no one wants to see someone dunk from the free throw line anymore.”

McGee pulled off a stunner in the first round of the competition by pulling a two-handed dunk on two different goals and it resulted in a perfect 50 points by the judges that included the famous dunker Julius “Dr. J” Erving. Ibaka pulled the famous free throw dunk that went farther than past great Michael Jordan, but was only rewarded a 45 where Jordan recorded a 50.

“There are only so many dunks you can do now, until they start repeating themselves,” said UNA sophomore Chris Reece.

Griffin added some more excitement by landing the off-the-backboard dunk while putting his arm through the goal and recording the second perfect score of the event. The dunk set up a final between Griffin and McGee.

McGee set the stage high as he dunked three basketballs in one basketball goal and received a 49 score that seemed unbeatable. Griffin then shocked the stage as the props came out with a Kia Optima parked under the goal and a gospel church singing the famous “I Believe I Can Fly.”

Griffin then received a pass from Los Angeles Clippers teammate Baron Davis as he went flying through the air to dunk the ball, eventually winning the contest by a 68 percent fan vote.

“The dunk was good, but it isn’t anything I haven’t seen on YouTube,” said junior public communications major Julian Threet. “I feel that Griffin had some impressive dunks, but McGee’s dunks were every bit as impressive, and the fact that Blake Griffin is more well known is why I think he won.”

Though there is some controversy concerning the All-Star Weekend, the fans are the ones who voted him the champ.

“It was a popularity contest-no one knows who Javale McGee is,” Reece said.