Shaquille O’Neal Sets the Record Straight on Mac McClung’s Dunk Contest Showstopper

Say less, Shaq. Mac McClung needs to look cool. He definitely did when he scored a perfect 50 at the Slam Dunk Contest during the All-Star Weekend. Like a magician’s assistant to add to the showmanship, the Osceola Magic guard had Shaquille O’Neal to help him go back-to-back. Shaq’s participation came up on Inside the NBA where he clarified one thing – nobody dunks on him.

Ernie Johnson said, “Shaq, you’re all over the Dunk Contest.” O’Neal proudly admitted it first. He went into the mechanics of McClung’s grand finale that beat the only All-Star in the game, Jaylen Brown. So Vince Carter, filling in for Charles Barkley, said, “You weren’t dunked on. You were dunked with.” 

The once most dominant center of the NBA confirmed it. When asked if he was nervous about being used as a prop, Shaq said, “I don’t get nervous… I just…” He let the implication hang. Carter, one of the most spectacular dunk artists in history who has embarrassed Shaq before, said, “Okay, say less.”

To elaborate, the defending Slam Dunk champ brought O’Neal out for the finale. He made the 7’1″ giant wear a custom version of his alma mater’s jacket. He then had Shaq hold the ball as he ran up behind him, launched himself midair, grabbed the ball, and dunked emphatically.

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Jaylen Brown’s missed dunk landed him at no.1 of ‘Shaqtin A Fool’ – All-Star edition this week. That made Shaq’s point about why McClung is a promising star.

Big Diesel let rookies dunk over him

O’Neal said the G-League star requested his participation, “right before.” It wasn’t hard for him to agree given that he’s a big fan. Shaq praised him on The Big Podcast stating, “The reason why Mac McClung won last year because he wants to be a competitor. He’s not in the NBA… yet and he wasn’t afraid of the competition.” In contrast, Shaq said NBA stars are afraid of the competition.

The 15x All-Star is not anxious about it. He was even the prop for Miami Heat rookie, Jamie Jaquez Jr. to dunk ‘over’ him this year too. He’s no newbie to giving some youngsters a boost in this event.

Hamidou Diallo in 2019 and Ben McLemore in 2014 also leaped over the giant to dunk showily. O’Neal never competed in the contest during his career but his participation this way is arguably better.

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