The NBA All-Star Weekend has finally arrived, and the NBA world got to experience one of their most anticipated AT&T Slam Dunk Contests.
The all-star weekend main event, the all-star game, will be held tonight at the Vivint Smart Home Arena, the Utah Jazz’s home venue. Prior to that, the weekend had several other contests planned, including Slam Dunk, the 3-Point Contest, and the Skills Challenge.
This year’s slam dunk championship put on a magnificent show in Salt Lake City, following a long and cherished tradition, and crowned a new slam dunk champion for the season.
Who is the winner of the 2023 Slam Dunk Contest?
After displaying a series of eye-catching artistic dunks, the judges scored and decided the winner. The Philadelphia 76ers point guard Mac McClung won the contest by scoring all but one short field, Lisa Leslie’s 50 mark.
Mac McClung's score by each judge on his second dunk in the first round:
◽️ Jamal Crawford – 50
◽️ Karl Malone – 50
◽️ Harold Miner – 50
◽️ Dominique Wilkins – 50
◽️ Lisa Leslie – 49 👀🎥 @NBApic.twitter.com/KnoyxXHqQt
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 19, 2023
Moreover, the night will be one of the most memorable ones in his whole life, as he is the first winner to achieve the Julius Dr. J. Erving Award, which is named in commemoration of NBA legend Julius Erving. The man of the hour handed the award to the young sixer himself.
Mac demonstrated a perfect display of dunking in every scenario, especially in a 540-degree turn, leaping over his friend’s shoulder, and a powerful 360. Except for Lisa Leslie, every judge gave him full points for his dunks.
Previously, the 23-year-old went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft and joined the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Summer League. However, it appears he can’t settle anywhere yet and is moving frequently from one franchise to another. In February 14, he signed a contract with the Sixers to represent them in the contest.
The PG also won the best dunker in his school career at Gate City High School. Receiving the first Dr. J award from Dr. J himself will be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in NBA history.
What’s your opinion on Mac McClung’s dunks during the All-Star weekend? Who’s your favorite dunker of all time? Share your rating in the comment box.
