McClung, 26, can brag about being the one three-time champion, however he is a profession G-Leaguer. The native of Gate Metropolis, Virginia, went undrafted in 2021 after a school profession break up between stints at Georgetown and Texas Tech. Total, McClung averaged 14.7 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.2 assists per recreation in faculty.
As an expert, McClung has bounced round from the Lakers, Bulls, 76ers and now Magic organizations. And most of his profession has been enjoying for the G-League associates of these franchises.
In truth, McClung has solely logged 5 video games performed within the precise NBA. His final NBA recreation got here in October. He holds a profession common of 6.6 factors, 2.8 rebounds and a couple of.4 assists per recreation from his temporary time within the NBA.
Once more, no shade to McClung, who’s profitable truthful and sq., however he actually should not even be competing, not to mention dominating.
Legendary names competing is what made the NBA Slam Dunk Contest well-known. The 1988 dunk-off between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins put the occasion on the map and remains to be talked about to this present day.
Jordan’s win over Wilkins gave him back-to-back titles. Wilkins did not beat Jordan in 1988, however he did win twice in 1985 after which once more in 1990.
Kobe Bryant won in 1997 as a rookie. After which Vince Carter took the occasion to a different degree in 2000.
Dwight Howard blew out a cupcake and Blake Griffin leaped over a automotive. Nevertheless, there have not been sufficient of these large moments from precise true super-stars this century.
LeBron James, who many argue over Jordan as the best of all-time, will retire having by no means competed in a single NBA Slam Dunk Contest. He did win the McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest in 2003, however by no means took his abilities to doing it on the NBA stage.
Giannis Antetokounmpo has by no means taken half in an NBA Slam Dunk Contest both.
Celtics star Jaylen Brown actually called out the league’s top players when he misplaced to McClung within the 2024 occasion.
“I believe, finally, on this media period, some gamers are simply afraid to get changed into a meme or no matter,” stated Brown.
And he is proper. Star gamers view the occasion as an excessive amount of of a danger. That is been very true for James. Something wanting profitable in convincing trend would result in heavy criticism. Retaining it as a “what if?” is less complicated.
So now even when McClung goes for four in a row, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest will proceed to be a shell of its former self except precise All-Stars compete.
