Should the NBA Dunk Contest Be Replaced? Fans Speak Out!

All-Star Saturday has arrived, bringing with it the pinnacle of sports entertainment.

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Indeed, since its inception in 1984, the dunk contest has been a marquee feature of the All-Star weekend, once described by this publication as “the best invention since indoor plumbing.” Historical victors include legends like Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, and Vince Carter. Iconic moments feature Jordan emulating Julius Erving with his free-throw line dunk, Wilkins’s powerful windmill, and Carter’s jaw-dropping reverse 360.

For decades, the dunk contest stood as the most awaited event of the All-Star weekend. Holding the title of dunk champion was prestigious. The fierce competitions, especially the memorable showdowns between Jordan and Wilkins in the 1980s, captivated fans. It was 25 years ago in the Bay Area that Carter sealed his victory by famously hanging from the rim by his elbow. As recently as 2016, the face-off between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon captivated television audiences.

Regrettably, the luster of past years has faded. Big-name stars have increasingly distanced themselves from the dunk contest, leaving it in a state akin to a rapidly emptying vacation resort. This year, the competition is spearheaded by Mac McClung, the two-time defending champion who has logged a mere five minutes on the NBA court this season. His challengers include two rookies (Stephon Castle and Matas Buzelis) and a second-year player (Andre Jackson Jr.).

Attending the event might require a handbook for the audience to identify the competitors.

So why has the dunk contest, once a staple of NBA allure, seen a decline in interest among the stars? “Social media ruined it,” commented Nate Robinson, a three-time dunk champion, last year. The risk of becoming a viral failure now outweighs the reward of social media accolades for a successful dunk.

Jaylen Brown, one of the few All-Stars who participated last year, noted, “Some players are just afraid of becoming a meme.”

Moreover, the financial stakes are relatively low. When Jordan competed against Wilkins in 1988, his NBA salary was under a million dollars, making the prize money significant. Contrastingly, this year’s prize of $105,000 is substantial for McClung, who earns a G League salary, but negligible for players like Anthony Edwards, Ja Morant, or Zion Williamson, who earn millions annually.

Additionally, the realm of dunking has seen nearly every possible innovation after four decades, from the repeated free-throw line dunks to Spud Webb’s 360s and Dee Brown’s blindfolded dunks. The use of props has become commonplace, with Dwight Howard transforming into Superman and Blake Griffin jumping over a car.

What new feats remain? Last year, McClung leaped over Shaquille O’Neal. Maybe this year Castle will jump over his teammate Victor Wembanyama, or perhaps Buzelis will find a unique pastry to dunk over after Gerald Green famously blew out a candle on a cupcake in 2008.

Despite the decline in star participation, the NBA maintains that the dunk contest still attracts viewers. In 2024, All-Star Saturday night saw a 31% increase in viewership over the previous year, marking its most significant audience since 2020, largely due to a much-anticipated three-point contest between Stephen Curry and Sabrina Ionescu. However, no similar event is scheduled this year.

The NBA recognizes the challenges facing the dunk contest but has yet to find a suitable replacement. After a disappointing contest in 1998 featuring Kobe Bryant, the league temporarily replaced it with 2Ball, a mixed shooting contest, which was discontinued by 2002. The dunk contest was reinstated due to its popularity.

Perhaps alternative competitions like a H-O-R-S-E event or a one-on-one contest could capture the interest of today’s players more than dunking does. Expanding the Steph/Sabrina shootout could also be a potential draw.

Would such events resonate with fans in the Bay Area?

Revitalizing the dunk contest appears unlikely; neither LeBron James in his 40s nor Giannis Antetokounmpo seems poised to participate. While there may be some exciting moments this Saturday, the outcome is foreseeable. The NBA must reconsider the future of the dunk contest and possibly introduce a new format.