The studies of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest being lifeless could be over-exaggerated—and that’s all because of Mac McClung.
On Saturday night time, McClung become the primary participant to ever three-peat the dunk contest. His high-flying heroics incorporated an epic dunk over a Kia, an homage to Aaron Gordon’s well-known hoverboard dunk and an excellent bounce over Cleveland Cavaliers seven-footer Evan Mobley.
McClung is greater than an “thrilling white,” in spite of how often that meme used to be used on Saturday night time. He may well be what saves the dunk contest.
For McClung’s first two victories, he by no means in reality gained his vegetation. As an alternative, the narrative surrounding his dominance used to be that the dunk contest had transform so unhealthy {that a} G League participant had received two times in a row.
On Saturday, it felt like McClung aroused from sleep one thing.
No different participant within the 2025 dunk contest box may just grasp a torch to what the G League big name used to be throwing down. San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Fort hammered house some thrilling dunks that will’ve damaged Bleacher File in the event that they had been achieved in a recreation, however McClung’s use of props is what offers the dunk contest existence.
The knock on Saturday night time’s finale for just about the decade is that precise NBA stars don’t take part within the tournament. LeBron James hasn’t ever participated, and now the NBA neighborhood has implored younger, high-flying superstars like Ja Morant, Anthony Edwards and Zion Williamson to compete.
McClung’s efficiency on Saturday night time may have woken them up.
Memphis Grizzlies famous person Ja Morant had social media humming when he declared that McClung’s heroics may make him make a decision to take part in subsequent 12 months’s contest.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, who used to be tasked with cheering on his teammate Andre Jackson Jr.’s horrific dunks, responded to Morant and had the NBA humming.
“For those who do it. I’ll do it with you,” he stated in a answer.
After his three-peat, McClung threatened to retire from the dunk contest in an interview with Allie LaForce. The dunk contest has devolved to the purpose the place a G League participant, whose dunk contest income have just about doubled his recreation salaries, is keen to stroll clear of the development.
On the other hand, in his media availability past due Saturday night time, McClung used to be knowledgeable that Morant and Antetokounmpo had been considering the opportunity of competing subsequent 12 months, and he gave the impression a lot more open about protecting his three-peat crown.
Who is aware of if Morant and Antetokounmpo will stay their phrase and take part subsequent 12 months? Who is aware of if McClung will make a decision that he’s too just right for the competition, particularly after emptying the clip by means of leaping over a automotive?
But when the whole lot is going in line with plan, and the dunk contest is revived, we must all be thanking McClung, the unheralded participant from the G League who persistently used to be wheeled out for our leisure over those closing 3 seasons simply to vanish again into his function with the Osceola Magic.
#shorts #shortsfeed #nature #youtubeshorts #iciness