“This will be the last year for me… Hopefully, we’ll end with a bang.” Mac McClung made it clear that tomorrow will be the last time he participates in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Of course, he is a defending back-to-back champ and after a point, as he said “you run out of dunks.” But he has a chance to etch his name in NBA history before he hangs his boots, because winning tomorrow would make him the first player to three-peat the event. As expected, Mac is on an emotional rollercoaster because of the anticipation and turns out, he is turning to NBA legend Vince Carter for help.
When asked if he thinks he can lift the trophy for the third straight year, McClung responded, “I don’t know. I’m gonna try my best. I’m nervous but super excited.” Well, he is clearly the favorite to win because among all participants, he is the only one with prior experience. Andre Jackson Jr., Stephon Castle, and Matas Buzelis are all debutants. Obviously, the lack of star power has also led to a ton of backlash, but McClung plans on changing the fans’ stance with his performance.
Revealing the depth of his preparation for tomorrow, he said, “I think this is my most challenging one. I think it’s the most I’ve prepped for something in my life probably more than any of the other contests. So, hopefully all that comes to light.” This is a clear warning sign for the other three participants to bring out their A game.
Can @McclungMac get the 3-peat in the #ATTSlamDunk contest? @TaylorRooks caught up with him during #CastrolRisingStars practice! pic.twitter.com/hOH9hdN8nD
— NBA TV (@NBATV) February 14, 2025
To boost his chances of victory, McClung is also planning to take a page out of Vince Carter’s book, “He’s an inspiration to all dunkers probably in the world. So, I think with him, just taking from his swag and his flare. I’ll try to do that.” Although Vince might have won the Dunk Contest just once back in 2000, many deem it the best performance of all time. Moreover, his aura that night was off the charts as he immortalized the iconic “It’s Over” celebration after one of his dunks. So, if Mac’s swag tomorrow is anything close to Carter’s, he has a solid chance at a three-peat. Obviously, the Osceola Magic star has something special planned for the night.
Mac McClung reveals Unique Challenge for Third Dunk Contest, Claims “This is my Best Stuff!”
Although Mac has a shot at making history tomorrow, it will not come easy. The world has already seen him throwing down his best and most creative dunks in the past two years. And coming up with new and unseen dunks is a tall task. However, McClung plans on including a fresh aspect to his dunks this year that could land him a third title, “I would just say it’s the most props I’ve ever used in my Dunk Contest career. And it’s the most challenging. So, I’m gonna try and just give it all and this is my best stuff.”
Feb 17, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung (0) dunks the ball over former basketball player Shaquille O’Neal during the slam dunk competition during NBA All Star Saturday Night at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Yes, the 6’2 guard is going to mix his insane athleticism with the unpredictability of props. So, you can expect him to put on a show tomorrow. When asked where a three-peat would put him among the best All-Star dunkers, Mac kept a humble approach, “I’m not sure. That’s not really for me to say. I would definitely be incredibly honored and being just in the group with all the people that have been a part of this is already pretty cool to me.”
By becoming a back-to-back champ, Mac has already joined greats like Michael Jordan, Zach LaVine, and Nate Robinson. But a three-peat would cement his legacy in the Dunk Contest as he would be the first player to do so. Do you think he can create history tomorrow?
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