Mac McClung made history—again. He became the first player to win three consecutive Slam Dunk Contests, with all four of his dunks earning perfect 50s. That’s impressive, especially considering that in eight dunk attempts across two previous contests, this was the first time he pulled off a flawless run.
But let’s be real—he needs to stop competing.
There’s just something off about his presence at the event. This isn’t about discrimination; it’s about context. A guy who racks up perfect scores in the dunk contest has only managed 33 points in three NBA seasons. Worse, he’s appeared in just five games. While superstars have avoided the dunk contest for years, McClung’s dominance is now actively taking opportunities away from young players trying to make a name for themselves.
Take Kobe Bryant, for example. His 1997 Slam Dunk Contest win helped solidify his place in the NBA spotlight. Sure, he was already a hyped prospect, but his victory showcased his star power and helped jumpstart his career. This year’s contest featured real up-and-comers—Stephon Castle (4th overall pick) and Matas Buzelis (11th overall pick). Even Andre Jackson Jr., a second-rounder from the 2023 draft, is battling for a rotation spot with the Bucks, especially with Khris Middleton’s departure shaking up the team’s lineup.
Critics argue that the Slam Dunk Contest has lost its appeal because stars refuse to participate. But the bigger issue? The NBA itself is suffering from a lack of electrifying dunks in actual games. The dunk contest should be a stage where the stars remind the world of their explosiveness—not a recurring showcase for a G-Leaguer.
Take Stephon Castle, for example. Despite sharing the floor with Victor Wembanyama, Chris Paul, and now De'Aaron Fox, he's still putting up solid numbers—12.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. He’s firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation and genuinely tried to win the dunk contest. Sure, he didn’t deserve the trophy—especially with McClung opening his campaign with an upgraded version of Blake Griffin’s car dunk—but this event could have been his moment.
Castle’s NBA trajectory is still fluid. On any given night, he’s one decision away from being a full-time starter or sliding into a second-unit role, depending on how Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, Harrison Barnes, and Jeremy Sochan perform. A dunk contest win wouldn’t have secured him a starting spot, but it could have boosted his profile the way it did for past winners.
People forget how the dunk contest shaped the careers of players like Kobe Bryant, Jason Richardson, Desmond Mason, Nate Robinson, and Aaron Gordon. "Air Gordon," in particular, was a second-stringer for Orlando before his legendary battle with Zach LaVine put him on the map. That dunk contest showdown is now considered one of the greatest in league history.
For a guy like Matas Buzelis—who stands to gain a lot from LaVine’s departure—the Slam Dunk Contest could have been his ticket to relevance. Instead, McClung’s dominance kept him from getting that shot.
If McClung wants to keep his dunk contest legacy alive, then the Orlando Magic need to either give him legitimate minutes—at least Bronny James-level playing time—or trade him to a team that will.
Because right now, it’s a bad look.
Superstars dodging McClung in a dunk contest is one thing, but watching legitimate NBA prospects lose their shot at the spotlight just because they focused on actual five-on-five basketball rather than the All-Star sideshow?
That’s worse.