Lots of the festivities had been up for dialogue following the NBA’s All-Celebrity Weekend, without any extra mentioned than the slam dunk contest. Former dunk champion and present TNT NBA analyst, Vince Carter, gave the impression on “Run it Again” on Fanduel TV and showed a mythical rumor. Carter mentioned he was once approached by way of the league referring to a $1 million dunk contest, which might have incorporated 4 of the most efficient dunkers in their generation. Would one thing identical assist convince as of late’s best stars to sign up for the dunk contest?
“It was once Kobe, T-Mac, LeBron…However guys didn’t need to do it,” Vince Carter mentioned.
After all, as soon as Carter let this data out, the theory started on who mentioned no to this proposition by way of the NBA. 3 of the aforementioned names — together with Vinsanity — had already competed within the dunk contest. Carter received in 2000 competing towards McGrady, and Bryant received in ’97. On the time, simplest James had now not taken phase — and nonetheless hasn’t. By the point Bron completed his run in Miami, his becoming a member of the dunk contest was once not anything greater than a pipe dream.
Fable reserving
The $1 million carrot is one thing that might doubtlessly trap as of late’s greatest stars to sign up for the competition. The NBA would most probably wish to up the cash, however it’s one thing to believe. Consider the ’25 slam dunk contest that includes Ja Morant, Zion Williamson, Anthony Edwards, and Mac McClung. If we’re being real looking, you’ve were given to come with McClung because the reigning back-to-back champ.
Even with out McClung protecting his name, Morant, Williamson, and Edwards have sufficient younger superstar energy to no less than spice up anticipation. Perhaps the affiliation may communicate Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon into becoming a member of the fray one remaining time to take at the youngins. Whilst LaVine is simplest 28 years previous, he’d be the senior on this workforce, because the others are all below 25. He’s additionally a former back-to-back winner dominating the contest in ’15 & ‘16. Gordon misplaced to LaVine in ’16.
Clearly, that is all delusion reserving, particularly for avid gamers like LaVine and Gordon, who’re drawing near 30 and feature extra put on and tear on their our bodies. It’s most unlikely they’d settle for the invite and, in all honesty, it’s arduous to look Ja or Zion accepting both.
“I’m now not doing the dunk contest,” Morant mentioned remaining yr.
So Morant is on file pronouncing he received’t do it and Williamson’s had any such arduous time staying at the court docket his first few years within the league it’s nearly assured he wouldn’t do it. However let’s give credit score the place it’s due, Zion has performed in 46 of New Orleans’ 57 video games this season — by way of a long way the healthiest he’s been to this point. In February of ’23, Williamson did an interview with Advanced the place he mentioned that if he was once going to do the dunk contest, it might be subsequent yr. Neatly, that point has come and long gone so turns out we’ve neglected that window of alternative.
Such a lot of stars, so little hobby. That’s the tale of the NBA’s slam dunk contest on this generation.
