The Slam Dunk Contest has decreased its level season after season, as star players seem to ignore the competition, no matter how much fans beg them to take part in it. As the years went by, the quality or reputation of players who participated in this competition has gotten worse, and this year, we have one Slam Dunk Contest with players that aren’t as popular as other stars.
While people like Kevin Durant called for Zion Williamson and Ja Morant to take part in this ‘dying’ competition, it seems like superstars are better off not trying their luck in the contest. Perhaps the last big name we saw in the contest was Zach LaVine, but that happened before he became the star he is right now.
Aaron Gordon, one of the best competitors, last participated in 2020, but after a controversial ending, he retired from the contest. This year, the contest will feature KJ Martin, Trey Murphy III, Jericho Sims, and Mac McClung, four names that aren’t that attractive to a lot of fans.
The NBA Tried To Create A Super Slam Dunk Contest With Legendary Players
The league knew this was a problem way before it became this big, and they tried to save anything they could by creating a super Slam Dunk Contest that would’ve featured electrifying dunkers. Vince Carter, one of the best dunkers in history, recently revealed that the league once offered $1 million to himself and other NBA superstars to participate in the contest, but they never came to an agreement with everybody.
During a recent edition of The VC Show, Carter talked about the time LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, and himself almost went at it at the Slam Dunk Contest (9-minute mark).
“I know for a fact, some years back, the NBA tried this tactic as far as upping the ante a little bit, a million dollars,” Carter said on his podcast. “They threw around some names, I remember it was LeBron, Kobe, T-Mac—my name was thrown in there of course, and it was a few other people for $1 million. But you obviously couldn’t get the commitment of everyone to do it.”
This would have been incredible to watch, as these four players had incredible dunks in games. Carter (2000) and Kobe Bryant (1997) both win the contest previously, while T-Mac competed against Carter in his memorable dunk contest. As for LeBron, he never participated in the competition, and fans really dreamed of the King doing it at some point in his career.
Now, players like Williamson and Morant are urged to take part in the tournament and bring it back to life. Zion and Ja have gotten used to making incredible dunks, just like Anthony Edwards, and watching them going at it with their creations would be incredible to watch.
We have to sit and wait if the situation gets better for the Slam Dunk Contest, or if the league decides to offer money to stars so they can compete again.
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