Miami Heat player Keshad Johnson can now say he's among the most distinguished group in NBA history. 

On Saturday, Johnson was crowned the champion of the slam dunk contest during NBA All-Star Weekend. He captured the event at the Intruit Dome in Los Angeles. 

"I just came out, first and foremost, thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to be here," Johnson said in the post-event interview. "Everybody's journey is different. To all the kids out there, keep dreaming. Have crazy faith. Anything can happen." 

The victory was especially heatfelt to Johnson because it occurred in his home state of California. A two-way contract player, he represented his home while also building his brand. 

"I just came out here and showed the people who Showtime was," Johnson said. "I had all the legends out. I'm from California. This is for the whole West Coast right here." 

Johnson is the third Heat player to win the competition, joining Harold Miner and Derrick Jones Jr. Miner won in 1993 and 1995 while Jones took it in 2020 in Chicago. 

Johnson added to the fire by having Oakland rap legend E-40 as a prop. He jumped over the rapper in one of the dunks. 

"In the Bay Area, we do it a little different," Johnson said. "We got our own little swag. I had to bring the legend out, E-40. I'm also taking this back to the 305 with Miami, too." 

POWELL TALKS CONTRACT EXTENSION 

Everything then has gone according to plan for Heat star Norman Powell Jr., at the midway point of his first year playing for coach Erik Spoelstra and team president Pat Riley. So far, it's been an easy transition for Powell.  

“This is definitely a place I want to be," Powell told Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald. "It’s been nothing but great. Coming here getting adjusted. The organization has been amazing. I like where I’m at."

The Heat acquired Powell from the Los Angeles Clippers last summer during free agency. The move has led to him making his first All-Star appearance. He is a reserve and will also compete in the 3-point contest. 

Powell has a looming contract extension decision to make. He said he hopes of remaining with the Heat for years to come. He is eligible for a four-year, $128-million extension, the same he was offered with the Clippers. 

Powell has more than made up for the loss of Jimmy Butler, who was moved last year at the trade deadline to the Golden State Warriors. While Butler often butted heads with Spoelstra and Riley, Powell has appeared to be a perfect fit while producing similar numbers. 

He is averaging 23 points 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.2 steals. The Heat did not make any moves at this month's trade deadline, meaning perhaps they are content with Powell in the lead role. He has been their best player this season while former All-Star Tyler Herro has dealt with multiple injuries. 

Powell sounds as if he is viewing Miami as a long-term stop. Then again, this league is a business so this could change at any time. 

"I love the setup," Powell said. "I love the mentality. I love the approach. Hopefully there’s some good synergy from what they’ve seen I bring to the table and hopefully a deal to be done sometime. But yeah, I see myself being here and being apart of the Heat organization for as long as they’ll have me.”

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of HeatRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com