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During our childhood, there were few occasions that excited us more than the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Some years it featured big names, like Dwight Howard, but even when it didn’t, it was undeniably thrilling.
Watching the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was more of a disappointment than must-see television. Honestly, it was awful.
Mac McClung, a player for the Osceola Magic in the G-League, won his second consecutive dunk contest in the finals against Celtics star Jaylen Brown. To be frank, McClung executed some impressive dunks.
Only a score of 48 for this dunk from Mac McClung.
Robbed?
pic.twitter.com/syOBj2tLKH
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 18, 2024
However, the overall atmosphere surrounding the event felt completely lifeless on TV. No amount of fancy lighting and music could hide the fact that the crowd in Indianapolis showed no enthusiasm for the event. It lacked any sort of excitement.
That’s not how it used to be. I recall watching the legendary showdown between Desmond Mason and Jason Richardson in the 2003 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Neither of those individuals were superstars by any means. Nevertheless, they put on a spectacle, and both the crowd and viewers at home were on the edge of their seats. I believe most people in the audience were already thinking about their plans after the event.
Fans took notice, labeling the contest as “dead.”
slam dunk contest officially dead 2/17/24
— Stefan Bondy (@SbondyNBA) February 18, 2024
#DunkContest couldn’t be more dead
— Blue Moustachè (@BlueMoustachGuy) February 18, 2024
No, dunk contests have been subpar before. It’s not a big deal.
However, this was the worst contest we’ve ever witnessed. And I don’t just mean in terms of dunk quality.
From Jaylen advancing for unknown reasons, judges scoring as if they were under the influence, TNT failing to show a dunk, to awkward interviews. It was a mess.
— Josh Rodriguez (@Josh_Rodriguez_) February 18, 2024
It was bad. One of the main reasons for its decline, in my opinion, is that players are now allowed multiple attempts. These individuals are the finest athletes in the world. We all know they are capable of incredible dunks. However, limiting them to just one attempt added to the suspense.
Furthermore, they need to find a way for the game’s most talented young players to participate in the contest. I don’t dislike LeBron James. But, he broke the tradition of young superstars taking part in the contest during the 2000s. Players like Anthony Edwards should be involved in the dunk contest.
Let’s hope that next year’s contest is much better, or else we may soon live in a world without a dunk contest.
According to the Source brobible.com