Latest news with #NBAAll-StarSaturdayNight
Japan Times
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Japan Times
Mac McClung leaps over car to three-peat as NBA Slam Dunk champ
San Francisco – Mac McClung won an unprecedented third consecutive NBA Slam Dunk title with four perfect scores, and the Miami Heat's Tyler Herro won the 3-Point Contest at the NBA All-Star Saturday Night festivities. McClung leaped over a car and three people to deliver dunks that received perfect 50-point scores from the judges to become the first dunker to win three years in a row and match Nate Robinson as the only three-time winners. "Truly, stuff like this doesn't happen without sitting on the shoulders of a lot of people," McClung said. "I had a lot of help.
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ja Morant was so inspired by Mac McClung that he said he might do the NBA Dunk Contest next
Mac McClung won the NBA Slam Dunk Contest for the third year in a row and inspired many people, including Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant. After watching McClung dunk over a Kia (and so many other props) on NBA All-Star Saturday Night in San Francisco, the two-time All-Star guard posted his reaction on social media. He tweeted that the performance from McClung made him want to get in on the action. Morant, who has said he isn't trying to dunk as often during games, does not throw down slams like he once did as he tries to prolong his career following various injuries. mac might make me decide to dunk — Ja Morant (@JaMorant) February 16, 2025 But his potential for highlights is still as much as anyone in the league, and if a player of his caliber opted to enter the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, the sky is the limit. He also challenged Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine to join him if he chose to do this.
USA Today
16-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Chris Paul was so mad after the Spurs were hilariously disqualified from the NBA Skills Challenge
It did not take long for NBA All-Star Saturday Night to have some spice as the two players representing the Spurs were quickly disqualified. Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama represented San Antonio in the NBA Skills Challenge and tried a unique strategy to circumvent the rules. Rather than attempt any shots, the two players instead focused on the other aspects of the drill. It was a fascinating decision by the players, but unfortunately for Paul and Wembanyama, it was not legal. As boos reigned down from the crowd in San Francisco, they soon learned that they were not allowed to use this strategy. CP3 and Wemby DISQUALIFIED after trying to hack the NBA Skills Challenge 😂 — NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2025 Paul was then heard on the broadcast complaining as other participants continued in the Skills Challenge. Officials brought out the rules for Paul and Wembanyama to review, though neither seemed very happy with the decision. Source said SA flew its massage therapist to San Francisco, along with the physical therapist and performance coach to put Wembanyama through his usual pre-game routine – even for the Kia Skills Challenge – because 'he takes it so seriously.' — Michael C. Wright (@mikecwright) February 15, 2025 This was probably especially frustrating for Wembanyama considering that the Spurs brought out their physical therapist and performance coach so he could have his typical pre-game routine TNT's Allie LaForce attempted to interview Paul (multiple times) after the ruling and he refused to chat with her about what transpired. Talk about some excitement early in the night!
New York Times
14-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and 3-Point Contest odds, predictions: Damian Lillard, Mac McClung go for 3-peats
Milwaukee Bucks star guard Damian Lillard and G-League sensation Mac McClung are both shooting for history during this year's annual NBA All-Star Saturday Night. They won the 3-Point Contest (Lillard) and the Slam Dunk Contest (McClung) in each of the last two years. Now both enter San Francisco's Chase Center this weekend with a chance to three-peat. Advertisement Lillard must shoot past seven other elite perimeter gunners — including another previous champion in Golden State Warriors wing Buddy Hield. Battling a group of three rising NBA prospects, McClung attempts to protect the title in his signature event after bursting onto the national scene two years ago. Does anybody stand a chance to dethrone Lillard or McClung after their recent dominance? The pressure is on McClung (-210) as the heavy favorite. A win elevates the Osceola Magic guard into rarefied Dunk Contest air. He would become the event's second three-time champion (joining Nate Robinson) and the only player to win three years in a row. In winning the last two years, the 6-foot-2 guard attained the highest score of all competitors in each of his four rounds. Displaying remarkable consistency in a spotlight event, McClung is one of 28 dunkers in event history to attain a perfect score of 50. With four 50s over the last two years, McClung is one the highest-rated dunkers of the last decade. As a third-time participant, McClung faces unique pressure to perform new dunks. How can McClung possibly top the spectacle of jumping over Shaq, which clinched the victory last year? That's for McClung to figure out. HE'S DONE IT AGAIN 🤯 Mac McClung is the back-to-back #ATTSlamDunk champion ‼️ Straight 5⃣0⃣'s#StateFarmSaturday on TNT — NBA (@NBA) February 18, 2024 Given his impeccable two-year track record, it's hard to bet against McClung facing an uncertain field. Playing above the rim is nothing new for Milwaukee Bucks second-year wing Andre Jackson Jr. (+500). Jackson made headlines during his rookie campaign for a putback dunk where his head finished above the rim. Andre Jackson Jr.'s head was ABOVE THE RIM on this putback slam 😳 — NBA (@NBA) March 13, 2024 Jackson can't replicate high-flying putback attempts in a contest setting, but elite leaping ability and smooth athleticism provide an intriguing blueprint for Jackson to showcase creativity with new dunks. Rookie forward Matas Buzelis (+700) opened eyes recently during extended minutes for the Chicago Bulls. Before the Bulls traded star Zach LaVine to Sacramento ahead of the trade deadline, the two-time dunk contest champion worked with Buzelis on contest ideas after practice. The rookie also showed a lot of confidence when he declared, 'I'm not going there to lose,' when asked about participating. Buzelis advanced to the final round in the dunk contest at the McDonald's All-American Game two years ago before losing to then-Duke commit Sean Stewart — delivering some impressive dunks along the way. PERFECT 10'S FOR MATAS BUZELIS 🤩 @SCNext #PoweradeJamFest — ESPN (@espn) March 28, 2023 Potential Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle (+800) is off to a strong start for the San Antonio Spurs. Explosive around the rim off of two feet, Castle's elite vertical contributed to multiple highlight-reel dunks this season. Stephon Castle threw down his hardest dunk of the year last night 🔨 The #ATTSlamDunk participant's 96.6 Dunk Score is 3rd highest among rookies. Watch him put on a show Saturday, 2/15 at 8pm/et on TNT! Learn more about the Dunk Score ⤵️ — NBA (@NBA) February 6, 2025 Castle struggled with missed dunks during the dunk contest at the McDonald's game two years ago and failed to advance. But he's been working with Spurs teammates on new dunks to prepare for San Francisco. If you still can't decide who to pick, maybe the NBA's mixtape of all four participants will help you figure it out. Another Lillard win would match him with Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only players to win three years in a row. Making his fifth appearance in the event, Lillard canned 26 points in four consecutive rounds during his back-to-back wins. That level of consistency across two rounds of shooting makes Lillard (+375) the favorite. Lillard could get a lift from a hometown crowd eager to see the Bay Area native shoot for history. Advertisement A pair of all-star selections, Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Darius Garland (+500) and Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro (+500), find themselves right behind Lillard. An all-star for a second time, Garland is shooting the best 3-point mark of his career (42.9 percent). Making a recent splash with a half-court buzzer-beater to knock off Detroit, Garland owns the efficiency and distance shooting capable of making a splash. DARIUS GARLAND PULLS FROM THE LOGO!!! THE @cavs WIN IN DETROIT 🚨🚨#TissotBuzzerBeater #YourTimeDefinesYourGreatness — NBA (@NBA) February 6, 2025 A first-time all-star, Herro is fifth in the league in made 3-pointers this season. A career 38 percent 3-point shooter, Herro maintains similar shooting percentages across his six-year NBA career. Herro failed to advance during his 2023 trip to this event, netting only 18 points. The next group features Hield (+525) and Los Angeles Clippers guard Norman Powell (+525). The field's only other champion in this event (2020), Hield reached the finals in each of his previous three appearances. There's also history between Lillard and Hield in this competition. In 2023, Lillard outlasted Hield in the finals for his first victory, outscoring him 26 to 25. Hield won the 2020 competition with two scores of 27 — a mark Lillard has never achieved in this event. Playing in his home arena, Hield offers first-round consistency coupled with scoring upside to potentially beat Lillard — making him an intriguing pick to win. Putting together a career-best season during his 10th year in the league, Powell ranks among the top 15 players this season at 42.9 percent from distance. Feeling snubbed he wasn't selected as an all-star after stepping up for injured star Kawhi Leonard, this event is Powell's opportunity to make a splash during All-Star Weekend. New York Knicks all-star Jalen Brunson (+750) returns for the second consecutive year. During another stellar season, Brunson is shooting just below 40 percent from 3-point territory. Failing to make the finals last year, the notably competitive Brunson seems motivated for a better showing. Jalen Brunson talks about why he decided to participate in the three-point contest: "I lost it last year. Limited gym time so I can get some shots up." — Knicks Videos (@sny_knicks) February 10, 2025 Cam Johnson (+850) rates in the top 25 in 3-point percentage this season as a featured player for the Brooklyn Nets. Hovering near 40 percent for his career, Johnson is on pace to shatter his most made threes in a season and represents an interesting dark horse to make the finals at his current number. Advertisement In the midst of a breakout season, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham (+1200) rounds out the field. Although Cunningham is shooting a respectable 35 percent from the floor, that mark pales in comparison to the other seven players in the competition. The NBA initially invited Pistons sharpshooter Malik Beasley to enter after participating last season. But Beasley gave up his spot to Cunningham even though he's second in the league in made 3-pointers this season. The Skills Challenge isn't as high-profile as the other events, but does always feature the host team. Draymond Green and Moses Moody are teaming up for Team Warriors, but it's the San Antonio Spurs duo of Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama and the Cleveland duo of Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley that are favored, both at +200. Then the Warriors come in at +280. The rookie team of Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta) and Alex Sarr (Washington) are the longshots at +375. (Photo of Mac McClung and Shaquille O'Neal: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)
