Three cheers for Mac McClung, the perfect antidote to NBA all-star malaise

SAN FRANCISCO — The critics are correct about NBA All-Star Weekend: The business of basketball has overwhelmed the beauty of basketball, transforming a fan-friendly showcase into a dull corporate trade show. These days, the major figures don’t even bother to feign interest.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver waved the white flag on the All-Star Game months ago, admitting publicly that it was no longer possible to convince the players to play defense in an exhibition. LeBron James skipped All-Star media day on Saturday morning, then Stephen Curry sat out the three-point contest on Saturday night even though his Golden State Warriors were hosting this year’s event. There were plenty of empty seats for the All-Star Saturday festivities, and the dunk contest field included a spot starter averaging fewer than 4 points per game, two rookies and a minor leaguer.

As luck would have it, that minor leaguer — Mac McClung, who plays for the Orlando Magic’s G League affiliate — was the best thing All-Star Weekend has had going for the third straight year. The 26-year-old McClung threw down four dunks that earned perfect scores, capturing a slice of history by becoming the first player to win three consecutive dunk contests. His real legacy, though, will be that he cared deeply when so many others didn’t.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/02/16/mac-mcclung-slam-dunk-contest/

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