Mac McClung proves the NBA Slam Dunk Contest doesn't need stars, just passionate showmen

New York Times

16-02-2025

SAN FRANCISCO — The NBA Slam Dunk Contest contest needs to be saved. It needs the game's stars to participate.
How many times have you heard or read that?
Saturday night showed it's not about the stars. It's about having players who care about the contest.
Mac McClung is not a star. He's played in five NBA games, and most of his work has been in the G League. But the 6-foot-2 guard is passionate about the dunk contest, and that showed once again after he won his third straight competition Saturday. McClung is the first to win three straight and joins Nate Robinson as the only three-time winner.
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McClung admitted going into Saturday 'thinking about hanging it up' after this weekend, 'but I never want to say never.'
If McClung is done, what becomes of the contest? It's not about finding a star to enter the contest. It's about finding players with a passion for showmanship and dunking to keep the excitement.
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The Chase Center crowd was with McClung, the reigning G League MVP for the Osceola Magic. And if someone else steps up with impressive dunks, they will woo the crowd, too.
'When you feel like the crowd has your back, that gives you a different level of adrenaline, maybe confidence,' McClung said. 'It was great, it felt really good. And the judges gave me some good scores, so that got me feeling good. I really do like to play off the crowd.'
McClung is not a household name during the NBA regular season, but All-Star Saturday belonged to him — and has belonged to him since 2023. The crowd was behind him and NBA All-Stars watched his every move as he racked up perfect scores of 50 for each of his four dunks to further cement his dunking legacy.
McClung won as the NBA celebrated Vince Carter's epic performance in the contest 25 years ago for All-Star Saturday Night in Oakland, Calif. Carter is considered one of the best dunkers of all time, his legacy cemented in 2000 and also with plenty of highlight-worthy, in-game dunks throughout his 22-year NBA career.
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'I genuinely love this contest, and I love to dunk,' McClung said. 'I'm not really comparing myself to anybody or trying to put a value on my name, so we'll just let the world and the people that love dunking judge that.'
McClung might not be back next year. So what happens with the contest? Will fans and media clamor for stars like Ja Morant to step up? Morant posted on X during the contest that McClung's dunks might urge him to one day participate. Minutes later, Giannis Antetokounmpo said he'd join Morant in the competition if Morant followed through.
If you do it. I'll do it with you 💯 https://t.co/dsKglTiTca
— Giannis Antetokounmpo (@Giannis_An34) February 16, 2025
But it doesn't have to be Morant, Antetokounmpo or any other star player to participate to bring additional excitement to the game. It just has to be players who are passionate about the art of dunking and performing on a grand stage.
Big names don't lead to big results if the participants aren't dedicated. McClung has shown himself committed. He captured the fans' attention with each dunk. That he's not a star shouldn't be a factor.
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McClung said preparing for this contest wasn't easy. He had to practice jumping over a car, which can be taxing and dangerous. He knew he had to take his creativity to another level to pull off the win.
'This one took a lot out of me for sure,' McClung said. 'I prepared very early and put a lot of work into it.'
McClung's success is a reminder that you don't have to be a star to enter the contest. But you can become one.
Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine weren't superstars when they dueled in 2016. But the contest gave them visibility. If San Antonio's Stephon Castle returns to the contest next season, he could be a worthy foe for McClung after this year's narrow loss.
'I think the contest is a beautiful thing,' McClung said. 'I know people probably want bigger stars in it, and I would love to see that, but I think it's important for the people in it to want to do it. I think Steph (Castle), Matas (Buzelis), Andre (Jackson Jr.), they all really wanted to be here. … It's a special thing that I think should be really appreciated.'