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Sports Illustrated
Sports Illustrated
Sport
Patrick Andres

Lackluster Dunk Contest Leaves NBA Fans Fuming, Pondering Potential Fixes

In (Person) NBA Dunk Contest Mac McClung Chris Vannini Jaylen Brown Joel Embiid

These are the facts: the NBA Slam Dunk Contest took place Saturday night in Indianapolis. Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung, a G-Leaguer, won it for the second straight year, besting Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown in the final round.

Why, then, did NBA fans walk away feeling unsatisfied?

The answer is seemingly everything: a perceived monotony of dunks, questionable judging, baffling commentary at times from TNT stalwart and former NBA guard Kenny Smith and general apathy inside Lucas Oil Stadium after electric three-point festivities.

Chris Vannini of The Athletic proposed that the slam dunk, as an art form, can no longer be improved upon.

Some fans called for the order of the three-point contest and slam dunk contest to be switched, an idea that has gained currency in recent years.

Many were impressed by McClung’s performance, but broadly underwhelmed by the panel of judges.

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid suggested he would be a better option were he healthy.

Brown, who became a crowd heel after a gimmicky dunk over Twitch celebrity Kai Cenat and Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, wound up being booed for much of the competition.

Still, Hall of Fame center Shaquille O’Neal’s presence provided levity.

The general consensus: the three-pointer is now the glamor play in professional basketball, and has been for a long time.

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