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SALT LAKE CITY - From the fans that brought us the Twitter movement #freealecburks, there is another movement going around the social networking site with a very clear message to the NBA: #letJeremydunk.
The hashtag started getting a lot of play a little over a week ago as a way for Jazz fans to tell the NBA to let high-flying forward Jeremy Evans dunk in the Slam Dunk Contest.
Related:
Jazz ground high-flying Clippers 108-79
The Los Angeles Clippers call their high-flying style Lob City. The Utah Jazz did a pretty good impersonation in Tuesday night's 108-79 blowout win.Evans is the fifth big man in the Jazz system behind a lot of talent, so his time to play is limited. However in a blowout like the Jazz's 108-79 victory over the Clippers allowed Evans and the rest of the Jazz to show off some of their talent. And they enjoyed it.
"[Evans] deserves more time on the floor," said coach Tyrone Corbin. "I look forward to getting him on the court. You have to love him, the way he plays is tremendous."
With Derrick Favors hampered with a sprained left ankle, Evans was able to get 17 minutes of playing time against the team that was given the moniker "Lob City". And for those watching a question has to be raised as to who really holds that title.
"Not to toot our own horn, but I think we took that title," said Paul Millsap who scored a team-high 20 points.
Both teams had highlights, but the Jazz fans believe that Evans won the battle between him and reigning slam dunk champion Blake Griffin.
@BradGMT tweeted, "Jeremy Evans > Blake Griffin any day. #LetJeremyDunk #LACatUTA What a blowout!"
Evans didn't talk directly about the slam dunk competition after last night's game, but added, "That's what I do, jump high, not too many guys can get up there."
The #letjeremydunk movement is even coming from the Utah Jazz Twitter account, "By popular demand, it is time that @NBA puts Jeremy Evans in the dunk contest #LetJeremyDunk #LACatUTA"
Corbin believes that he could do some good things in the contest if he were given the chance.
"I think he is capable," Corbin said. "He can do some crazy stuff with that ball, so I look forward to seeing it."
However, Evans getting into the contest isn't without controversy, or at least contest. There is one Jazz player that isn't sure about Evans' credentials, rookie Alec Burks.
"I jump higher than Jeremy Evans," Burks said, and then added when asked if they would both be in the dunk contest, "he can't beat me in a dunk contest."
Evans responded to Burks challenge with the bravado that he plays with.
"I don't know where he's getting that," Evans said. "I just look at him and laugh."
Evans will probably lose minutes once Favors gets healthy, but Jazz fans can enjoy what time they have with the young man from western Kentucky.
