NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - JANUARY 22: Zion Williamson #1 of the New Orleans Pelicans drives the ball up the court against the San Antonio Spurs at Smoothie King Center on January 22, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo: Getty)
Many NBA experts have said that the legendary battle between Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon in the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest will never be touched again. Since then, the competition has definitely lost its shine a bit.
Now that could all change as New Orleans Pelicans star forward Zion Williamson has promised to participate in the competition in the future – under one condition.
“I gotta do my part and make the All-Star Game,” Williamson said after a 138–98 win over the Toronto Raptors. “If I’m in the All-Star Game, I’ll do the dunk contest. But if not, I’m not doing it.”
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Over five years in the NBA, Williamson has taken part in two All-Star weekends, but only ever played in the All-Star game. He’s never been a part of any other event on the weekend. Most recently, Williamson appeared in the All-Star game for the 2022-23 season. Before that, he was on the bubble in 2020-21. This season he failed to qualify despite averaging 22.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 30.6 minutes per game.
Recent dunk contests have been won by much less popular competitors including G-league players such as Mac McClung who plays primarily for the Delaware Blue Coats, although he’s appeared in four games for the Philadelphia 76ers. Other recent champions include Obi Toppin, Anfernee Simons, Derrick Jones Jr. and Hamidou Diallo.
Based on recent champions, it’s clear that the dunk contest hasn’t featured some of the best in the NBA, and thus the competition has lost some of its allure.
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown entered the 2024 dunk contest and finished second place, but his performance was lackluster at best as McClung became the first player to win back-to-back titles in the dunk contest since Lavine in 2015-16.
It’s possible that the NBA Slam Dunk Contest peaked in 2016 with Lavine and Gordon. If there’s any hope of reviving it, it will come from players like Williamson.
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