NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2026: What Mac McClung had planned would have changed everything

The latest edition of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest will be remembered, but not for the right reasons. Instead of soaring creativity and viral moments, the 2026 showcase felt like one of the least imaginative and least electrifying contests in recent memory.

The dunk contest has always been about more than pure athleticism. It rewards flair, originality and the ability to turn a 10-second attempt into a moment that lives forever in highlight reels. What unfolded Saturday night during All-Star Weekend left fans feeling underwhelmed, with more questions than applause following the marquee event.

Innovation may be a tall order in a competition with decades of history. From the gravity-defying theatrics of past legends to the endless slow-motion replays on social media, it is not easy to surprise anyone anymore. That context helps explain why the performances from Carter Bryant, Jaxson Hayes, Keshad Johnson and Jase Richardson failed to truly captivate the crowd.

But when fans later saw what three-time champion Mac McClung had prepared in case he received another invitation, it became clear that the creative ceiling has not been reached just yet.

Born to dunk

McClung’s NBA career has been anything but straightforward. The current Chicago Bulls guard has fought for minutes and roster stability, carving out a role in a league that demands consistency on both ends of the floor. Yet when it comes to the dunk contest, McClung has built a reputation as must-see TV.

He has not given up on becoming a steady, everyday contributor in the NBA. Still, he understands that, for now, his greatest calling card is what he can do above the rim.

On social media, McClung revealed a four-dunk sequence he had been working on, a routine that many fans believe would have easily topped what 2026 champion Keshad Johnson ultimately delivered. The degree of difficulty and raw explosiveness in McClung’s planned attempts stood out immediately. Each jump blended timing, body control and creativity in a way that felt distinctly different from what viewers saw on the All-Star stage.

From fatigue to frustration

After McClung captured three straight dunk contest titles, criticism surfaced quickly. Some fans argued that the event needed more rotation and fresh faces to keep the creativity flowing. The logic was simple: new participants would bring new ideas.

Yet following the 2026 edition, the conversation shifted dramatically. Social media timelines filled with calls for McClung’s return, with many fans openly admitting that the contest lacked the spark he consistently provides.

It is impossible to please everyone, especially in an event so steeped in nostalgia and sky-high expectations. But one thing is clear: some players are simply built for this stage. And if the league wants to restore the dunk contest’s must-watch status, it may need to make room once again for the kind of high-flying artistry that made McClung a three-time champion in the first place.

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