NOTABLE LUMBERJACKS:

NOAH BUTLER SPORTS EDITOR

After multiple lackluster contests filled with missed dunks and disappointing judging, the 2023 dunk contest in Salt Lake City revived a competition that had fallen from grace.

There have been plenty of historical moments in the contest, like Dominique Wilkins beating rookie Michael Jordan in 1988 and the iconic 2016 contest that saw Zach Lavine and Aaron Gordon slamming spectacular dunk after spectacular dunk.

However, for every good contest there must be a bad one. Much like the 2005 event that saw Chris “Birdman” Anderson consistently fail routine dunks and bring down the overall “shine” of the event. Amar’e Stoudemire was excellent though.

The 2021 showcase, which featured the likes of Anfernee Simons, Obi Toppin and Cassius Stanley, was probably the most underwhelming event in recent years.

First things first, what the fans want to see in these types of events is star power. While these three are encouraging young talent, minus Stanley, they were not the superstars everyone wanted to see.

As noted before, names like Jordan and Wilkins competed in the event at a time when they were both superstars. What’s to say that we can’t see Ja Morant or Zion Williamson throw down some dunks?

Another thing that makes the dunk contest enjoyable is the creativity employed to make some interesting dunks. This is also something the 2021 contest lacked, and the competitors all performed basic dunks that greatly undermined their actual dunking skills.

A prime example of this is Stanley’s first dunk of the contest; a catch off the backboard into a between the legs jam. Now to a regular person this dunk is very cool, but to anyone who has watched what can happen at a contest like this, it is very lackluster.

In 2008, Gerald Green pulled off what is arguably one of the most inventive dunks in the contest’s history. Green, who had a habit of flying high above the rim in actual games, decided to put a cupcake with a lit candle in it on the back of the rim.

He then proceeded to jump so his head was at rim level, blow out the candle and slam the lob home.

What the 2023 contest lacked in potential, it made up for in creative and memorable dunks.

The four man set of Jericho Sims, Trey Murphy III, K.J. Martin and Mac McClung was arguably one of the more unknown sets of dunkers, but each competitor made his name remembered in some fashion.

McClung, a staple of Ballislife tapes in the late 2010s, would elevate his name to the highest degree.

He finished with three (nearly four) perfect score dunks and only one judge, Lisa Leslie, would stop him from his fourth.

His opening dunk set the tone of the whole event and essentially clinched the title for him straight off the bat.

He dunked over a person sitting on another’s shoulders, and for extra effect, tapped the ball on the backboard before finishing the jam.

This historic victory by a relatively unknown player had everyone in shock. With him coming back next year, I foresee multiple All-Star caliber players joining the ranks just to dethrone McClung.