SALT LAKE CITY (AP) – Mac McClung might have single-handedly restored the shine on a dunk contest that has been widely panned in recent years.
McClung, the six-foot-two Philadelphia guard on a two-way contract, defeated New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III in the finals of the dunk contest, culminating an NBA All-Star Saturday that may have finally answered the question as to whether what used to be the league’s signature event can be glitzy again.
McClung had the answer: Absolutely.
“I’m truly blessed and grateful for the NBA giving me this opportunity,” McClung said.
A 540-degree dunk – not a 360, but a 540, him doing one-and-a-half rotations in the air, a move more reserved for figure skaters and skateboarders than basketball players – was his third perfect score of the night out of four dunks. By the time the judges’ scores came up it was already decided.
Everyone in the building knew he’d already won. “It’s over,” McClung said.
It was. And he immediately committed to defending his title at Indianapolis at All-Star Saturday next year.
“If you guys will have me, I’ll be back,” McClung said.
The final score, not that it mattered, was McClung 100.0, Murphy 98.0.
“Give this man his flowers, man,” TNT commentator Kenny Smith said.
Damian Lillard represented his school and his brand, doing them both proud.
Lillard, the Portland star, won the three-point contest by topping Indiana teammates Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton in the final round.
Lillard wore a Weber State jersey with “Dolla” on the back. Weber State is his college; he performs music under the name Dame Dolla And when he got the trophy, he had a Blazers warmup shirt on for that moment.
“They say the third time’s the charm,” said Lillard, who got his first three-point title in his third try at the event.
“And I’m happy that it happened here. It’s a perfect situation. I’m happy that I did it in my home, coming back here to Utah.”
Lillard won the final round with 26 points. Hield had 25 and Haliburton scored 17.
Utah got a win to open All-Star Saturday night.
The Jazz – a roster composed of Utah players Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton – won the Skills Challenge yesterday, prevailing in two of the three competitions.
