Mac McClung brought the NBA Slam Dunk Contest back to the spotlight last year with his incredible performance, and perhaps the best performer in the history of the event expects McClung to do it again.
Nate Robinson is the only three-time champion in history and knows exactly what it takes to win the competition.
Standing just 5 feet, 9 inches tall, Robinson earned bonus points for his 46-inch vertical jump and small frame, putting him among the greats like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant in the championship.
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Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks attempts a dunk during the NBA Slam Dunk competition during NBA All-Star Weekend at Toyota Center in Houston on February 18, 2006. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
McClung is only 6 feet 2 inches tall, but it’s no secret that he’s a favorite.
“He’s going to win again,” Robinson told FOX News Digital in a recent interview.
McClung is one of four participants, but only one of them, Jaylen Brown, is an NBA All-Star. The other two will be Jacob Toppin and Jaime Jaquez Jr.
The Slam Dunk Contest used to attract big-name athletes. His late 80’s matchup between Jordan and Dominic Wilkins remains perhaps the most famous match.
But in recent years, prominent stars have refused to participate. LeBron James and Dwyane Wade both missed out on opportunities, even though the former promised them one. And even high flyers like Zion Williamson and Ja Morant passed.
That led to some “boring” tournaments over the next few years until Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon “stealed the spotlight” in 2016, Robinson said.
Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks leaps over Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic during the Slam Dunk Contest finals on All-Star Saturday Night, part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend, at US Airways Center in Phoenix on February 14, 2009. . , Arizona. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Brown will be the first All-Star to play in this tournament since DeAndre Jordan in 2017. Since 2015, only three All-Stars have participated in this tournament.
“They don’t do it early. LeBron didn’t do it. Zion should have done it early. Ja Morant definitely should have done it in his rookie year. He should have done it in his first year. “He pulls everyone behind him and pulls young players coming up into the league,” Robinson said.
“I don’t know who they (representatives) are, but if they talk to a guy like me, I’ll convince them.”
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That must be why Robinson was named AT&T chief dunk officer for the contest.
“They have me doing a lot of stuff behind the scenes for the fan dunk contest. There might be some cool faces, but you never know. So stay tuned.” said Robinson.
“If there was a commercial dunk van where guys like me, Vince Carter, all the dunkers of all time had their best dunks, I could write this up and make it super dope. doesn’t want to do that. I don’t know.”
Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks attempts a dunk during the All-Star Saturday Night Slam Dunk Contest as part of the 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend at American Airlines Center on February 13, 2010 in Dallas, Texas. . (Jed Jacobson/Getty Images)
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NBA athleticism has reached new heights. So for Robinson, it doesn’t matter what name the contest has. It looks like it’s still going to be a great show.
“I’m really excited to see who’s going to be out there and what they’re going to bring. I’m excited. I just hope they dunk and do things we haven’t seen before. .”
The contest will begin Saturday night after the Skills Contest and 3-Point Contest.
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