NBA Fans Criticize Slam Dunk Contest, Call It ‘Dead’

Growing up, there were few events that we all looked forward to more than the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Some years it had huge names, like Dwight Howard, but even when it didn’t, it was absolutely electric.

Watching the 2024 NBA Slam Dunk Contest was more of a snooze fest than can’t-miss television. Frankly, it was terrible.

Mac McClung, a G-leaguer for the Osceola Magic, won his second straight dunk contest in the finals over Celtics star Jaylen Brown. To be honest, McClung had some pretty sweet dunks.

But, the entire atmosphere around the event seemed completely dead on television. No amount of LED lights and music could disguise the fact that the crowd in Indianapolis was not into the event at all. It had absolutely no juice.

That’s not how it used to be. I remember watching the legendary showdown between Desmond Mason and Jason Richardson in the 2003 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Neither of those guys were superstars by any means. But, they put on a show, and the crowd and viewers at home were on the edge of their seat. I think most people in the crowd were thinking about where they were going after the event was over.

Fans noticed, calling the contest “dead”.

It was bad. I think one of the biggest reasons it’s declined is that players are allowed multiple attempts. These guys are the best athletes in the world. We all know they can do incredible dunks. But, only giving them one attempt at making the dunk added to the suspense.

And, they’ve got to find a way for the game’s best young players to do the contest. I’m not a LeBron James hater. But, he broke the tradition of the young superstars doing the tradition during the 2000s. Guys like Anthony Edwards should be doing the dunk contest.

Let’s hope next year’s is much better, or we could live in a world without a dunk contest soon.