Zion Williamson is one of the best dunkers in the game today but has yet to participate in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. Zion has now claimed he would be willing to take part next year, but only if he is an All-Star.
“I gotta do my part and make the All-Star Game,” Williamson said after the New Orleans Pelicans beat the Toronto Raptors 139-98 on Tuesday night. “If I’m in the All-Star Game, I’ll do the dunk contest, but if I’m not, not doing it.”
I am not sure why that is a requirement but if that’s what it will take, then Williamson needs to be an All-Star next season. The dunk contest has been a major disappointment in recent years and the 2024 edition wasn’t any different.
We witnessed a fair few underwhelming dunks, with the eventual winner Mac McClung being the only contestant to shine. McClung had won it last year as well, and while he fully deserved it on both occasions, you wish some of the bigger names were also taking part.
Stars participating in it was what made the contest so special, as the likes of Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Julius Erving had dazzled in them in the past. After years of stars skipping the contest, we did finally have one take part this year in Jaylen Brown.
While Brown did not make a great impression, you appreciated the fact at least a big name had stepped forward. Hopefully, others will follow suit and Williamson is the one who everyone wants to see in the contest.
After winning last year, McClung had even said he wished to see Zion in the 2024 dunk contest. He chose not to participate, though, and maybe it was because he wasn’t an All-Star.
Williamson is a two-time All-Star but didn’t make it in this time around. The 23-year-old has averaged 22.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, 5.2 assists, 0.9 steals, and 0.5 blocks per game this season, but it wasn’t deemed enough for him to get a spot on the team.
Zion Williamson Had A Strong Message For His Doubters
Williamson has had a fair bit of criticism come his way over the last year or so from the likes of Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal, and Stephen A. Smith. His commitment has often been called into question due to the weight issues and Williamson recently sent a message to his doubters.
“People don’t understand how much I really love this s—,” Williamson said, via William Guillory. “I pour everything into doing my best for the team and for the people who support me in New Orleans. I get it. You can only go off the information that’s in front of you. But that’s the great thing about the opportunity we have the rest of the way. We get to write our own story.”
To Williamson’s credit, he hasn’t missed a lot of time this season. He has played 51 games in 2023-24 and is a big reason why the Pelicans are fifth in the Western Conference with a 37-25 record.
New Orleans looks set to at least be in the Play-In Tournament this season and if Williamson can shine in the postseason, it would go a long way toward silencing his doubters and critics.
Thank you for being a valued reader of Fadeaway World. If you liked this article, please consider following us on Google News. We really appreciate your support.
