Michael Jordan’s Ex-teammate Goes Hand in Hand with Shaquille O’Neal About the Disappointment of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest

Millions of fans around the world tuned to their television sets to watch the NBA All-Star weekend. With a fun lineup of entertaining games, the sporting extravaganza was broadcasted in 214 countries around the world. While Jayson Tatum took the biggest laurel back home, Mac McClung is the name on everyone’s lips right now. The talented 24-year-old instantly gained fans’ adulations after his brilliant showing in the NBA’s historic Slam Dunk contest. McClung’s dunks were like a breath of fresh air for many who have been disappointed with the contest lately.

Interestingly, many also hailed McClung for single-handedly saving the Slam Dunk contest. Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson happen to be two of them. Moreover, former NBA star John Salley also recently chimed in on the same debate and seemed to agree with Shaq.

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The NBA Slam Dunk contest has lost its magic over the years. In the past, there have been numerous memorable dunk contest performances, by stars like Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and Zach Lavine, among others. However, the contest has been disappointing for the past few seasons and many believed that its popularity had been dying down.

This year wasn’t any different. Fans around the world were disappointed with the contest overall but there was one silver lining. It is Mac McClung of the Philadelphia 76ers.

His dunks entertained audiences around the world and he earned their love and support across the Internet. NBA legends Shaquille O’Neal and Magic Johnson also commended him for saving the contest.

Four-time NBA champion and Michael Jordan’s ex Bulls teammate John Salley also agreed with this claim. During an interview, he praised the league for an entertaining All-Star weekend while also giving his thoughts on the Slam Dunk contest.

Salley said, “I loved that McClung got his dunks. When I watched, I thought think about how high he could really jump. He’s going up against a guy who is 6’9, everyone goes oh he is 6’9. But he [McClung] was impressive as well… I think Shaq put it best, he said, ‘this saved NBA’s slam dunk’ and I agree with that, I really do.”

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24-year-old McClung is signed to a two-way contract with the 76ers. He last played an NBA game during the 2021-22 season when he was signed with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Shaquille O’Neal was very excited about McClung’s dunks

Mac McClung was on cloud nine during the Slam Dunk contest. Four of his dunks earned straight 50s from the judges and rendered the crowd to a frenzy.

Not only the crowd, but NBA legend Shaq was also very excited. “What was that? What was that?… Let’s go home, it’s over,” said Shaq after a monstrous dunk. McClung deservingly took home the Julius Erving trophy and has earned thousands of fans around the world after the contest.

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What was your reaction to Mac McClung’s dunks? Let us know in the comments down below.