This year’s slam dunk championship put on a magnificent show in Salt Lake City, following a long and cherished tradition of NBA stars, and crowned a new slam dunk champion for the season.
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. Thus, the youngster got the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to receive the Julius Dr. J. Erving Award from the man himself.
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
There are a lot of posts on social media about how great Mac McClung is, just like there are a lot of posts about how great the Hall of Famer is.
What did the NBA superstars say regarding Mac McClung’s amazing dunks?
Aside from team and individual honors, the slam dunk champion held a special place in the NBA community. Every year there are several competitors eyeing the prize, and the judges have to pick the best from the best. and it’s not a easy task for anyone to impress a handful of legends.
Former Dallas Mavericks champion Tyson Chandler became awed by the 23-year-old’s ability. “This is so Dope! Congratulations, Mac McClung,” Tyson wrote on Twitter.
This is so Dope! Congratulation Mac McClung
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) February 19, 2023
He went crazy wit the 540 😅
— Tyson Chandler (@tysonchandler) February 19, 2023
NBA legend Magic Johnson wrote, “Mac McClung has personally saved the slam dunk contest with his performance tonight!! He put on a show! 🔥🔥🔥”
Mac McClung has personally saved the slam dunk contest with his performance tonight!! He put on a show! 🔥🔥🔥
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) February 19, 2023
The reigning NBA most valuable player Steph Curry exclaimed, “Unreal”
Man was a viral HOH high school dunk phenom, still working his way to the League, but lemme go get that dunk contest trophy right quick and bring it back to life!!! Unreal #macmclung
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) February 19, 2023
The young 7-foot center Mo Bamba wrote, “Yeaaa… go on ahead and put his name in the dunk contest for next year too ! #NBAAllStar”
Yeaaa… go on ahead and put his name in the dunk contest for next year too ! #NBAAllStar
— Mo Bamba (@TheRealMoBamba) February 19, 2023
Amazing performance by McClung! Fun to get surprised after every dunk!! 🛫 #NBAAllStar
— Manu Ginobili (@manuginobili) February 19, 2023
McClung bounce is crazy
— Nicolas Batum (@nicolas88batum) February 19, 2023
The Sixers’ Twitter took it one step further.
y'all asked "who is Mac McClung?"
NOW YOU KNOW.
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) February 19, 2023
It seems the NBA world has its new poster boy for the best dunker in the league. Moreover, McClung was also named the best dunker at the high school level.
What do you think of Mac McClung’s dunking? Who’s your favorite dunker of all time? Leave your opinion with us in the comments.
