NBA All-Star Weekend is just around the corner, with the dunk contest set to take place on February 15. But let’s be honest—it’s been a while since we saw a truly unforgettable dunk contest.
It’s been nine years since Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon gave us that epic showdown, which many still consider the best dunk contest of the 21st century. Since then, we’ve had a few memorable winners, like Mac McClung, who’s won the last two contests, and Donovan Mitchell, Anfernee Simons, and Obi Toppin, but the overall quality of the event has left a lot to be desired.
Unfortunately, recent dunk contests have been a bit underwhelming, with players who don’t really seem to have the creativity or flair to keep us hooked. We’ve seen more than a few guys who barely seem like they’re NBA-caliber dunkers, and it’s honestly hard to get excited when the action feels like it’s stuck in neutral.
Even when big names like Jaylen Brown joined last year, the show still fell flat. Sure, Brown participated, but the overall vibe was far from the high-flying spectacle we’re hoping for. And let’s be real, watching people attempt basic dunks just doesn’t do it for us anymore.
Maybe it’s time for the NBA to shake things up. After 40 years of dunk contests, it’s no surprise that things are feeling repetitive. The contest could use a makeover, or maybe even a whole new concept. Imagine a celebrity dunk contest—sure, the hoops would need to be lowered, but at least we’d have fun watching them give it a try. Or better yet, what if we saw players’ kids stepping up to the plate? Who knows, they might surprise us with some impressive dunks.
And hey, maybe the dunk contest should just be retired altogether. Let’s bring something fresh to the table. The NBA has proven it can get creative with its events, like the new format for the All-Star Game this year. Instead of the typical exhibition, we’re getting an All-Star Tournament with teams battling it out in a mini-tournament. That feels like a much-needed change of pace.
The league took a chance with this new format, and even if it’s met with mixed reactions, at least it’s something new to look forward to. The dunk contest, on the other hand? It could definitely use a reboot.
