Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs Heading into the AT&T Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend on Saturday night, Orlando Magic two-way guard Mac McClung was looking to defend his crown as a two-time champ.He would be competing against a pair of rookie lottery picks (San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle, hot off being voted the Castrol Rising Stars MVP on Friday, and Chicago Bulls forward Matas Buzelis) and second-year Milwaukee Bucks starting shooting guard Andre Jackson Jr.Dunk contest participants and how many dunks they have in the NBA:42 — Stephon Castle33 — Andre Jackson Jr.32 — Matas Buzelis2 — Mac McClungWho you got winning tonight? pic.twitter.com/hxBiWwWH6B— StatMuse (@statmuse) February 16, 2025
McClung, who as StatMuse scathingly notes has only had two in-game dunks in the league, was looking to make history with a third straight Slam Dunk Contest win.He has never been on a full 15-man standard roster for the duration of an NBA season (although he has played for multiple clubs on 10-day deals, in addition to his various two-way contracts), and has been angling to parlay his Dunk Contest heroics into a more stable, more long-term role for a while now.More NBA News: NBA Commissioner Adam Silver Announces Major New Award Honoring Dikembe MutomboThis year, McClung made league history by winning the event for the third consecutive year, ultimately knocking out Castle in the final competition.
Mac McClung #8 of the Orlando Magic poses with the trophy after winning the 2025 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest as part of the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Chase Center on February 15, 2025…
Mac McClung #8 of the Orlando Magic poses with the trophy after winning the 2025 AT&T Slam Dunk Contest as part of the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night at Chase Center on February 15, 2025 in San Francisco, California.
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NBA fans of every stripe took to social media to relay their thoughts about the big night in earnest. Here are their reactions as the competition unspooled.Castle served up a 360-degree windmill slam with his first try.
He earned major appreciation from a talented panel of judges — including Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Tracy McGrady, former two-time Dunk Contest champ Jason Richardson, former two-time All-Star point guard Baron Davis, and social media personality Jesser.After he made his first dunk on his first atttempt, fans were optimistic that the athletic Castle had a shot at knocking McClung off his throne.
Buzelis valiantly attempted a between-the-legs slam from beneath the rim, but ultimately failed to complete the move. The 6-foot-10 wing was eliminated in the first round.More NBA News: Damian Lillard Attempting to Claim First Three-Peat in NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest Since 1992Hall of Fame small forward-turned-TNT commentator Vince Carter, who executed perhaps the coolest finish in Dunk Contest history at Oracle Arena way back in 2000, taped introductory hype videos for each player. He was clowned for his efforts at making Buzelis sound cool.
Jackson missed on his first four attempts, but finally completed a pretty basic two-handed flush.
103.7 The Buzz Arkansas’ Kevin Kelley called out the league at large for its crop of Slam Dunk Contest competitors in recent years, using Jackson’s disappointing run to prove his point.This summarizes everything wrong with @NBA All Star Wknd. The players don’t try in the games. The NBA don’t send their best players for dunk contest. Andre Jackson Jr went 0 for 4 in his first 4 dunks. Last guy didn’t make one at all. Bad! pic.twitter.com/ufDreukhLd— Kevin Kelley (@coachkelley1) February 16, 2025
Another NBA appreciator called out Jackson’s tough start, comparing him to then-Sacramento Kings sharpshooter Kevin Huerter’s dud of a showing in the 2023 3-Point Contest.
The best was saved for last, however.McClung did Blake Griffin one better by jumping over the highest point of a Kia in a shocking display of athleticism and grit. Griffin, as you’ll recall, leapt over the hood of a Kia en route to winning the 2011 Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie.
An errant hand-off made McClung scrap his first attempt, but earned a perfect 50 from the panel of judges thanks to the second.
Soon, X was loaded with excited takes following McClung’s first flush.
One famous fan, however, was less than impressed with McClung’s big opening salve. Tyreke Hill claims others have taken the leap over the top of a Kia.
For his second dunk of the first round, Buzelis finally made a bucket with a middling baseline dunk.Jackson struggled to finish an alley-oop due to some frustrating passing from his assigned dunk coach, and eventually scratched that look to finish with a one-handed scoop. He was, understandably, trolled mercilessly.
Again, mercilessly.Andre Jackson jr might be the worst participant in the dunk contest everJust stop bro— Dan Titus (@DanTitus) February 16, 2025
For his next attempt, Stephon Castle nabbed a solid hammer slam off an alley-oop look. He iced the competition not named McClung and easily moved on, setting up what was destined to become one of the most entertaining finals in ages.McClung nailed his second attempt instantly. He nabbed another perfect average of 50 points to advance, along with Castle. KFC of Barstool Sports is rooting for McClung to earn some additional coin thanks to his epic Dunk Contest efforts these last several years.I hope Mac McClung holds the NBA hostage and gets a fat bag for putting the whole dunk contest on his back every year. The rest of these guys missing dunks & putting up trash, meanwhile Mac over the Kia is one of the best dunks ever. pic.twitter.com/xtZUYMHmp1— KFC (@KFCBarstool) February 16, 2025
In the final round, a nervous Castle missed his first four dunk attempts for his first dunk of the round, before finishing with pizzaz on a between-the-legs up-and-under one-handed flush.
McClung grabbed a handoff from a spinning buddy in an Aaron Gordon jersey, leapt over that buddy, tipped in a second ball being held by a dunk coach and then slammed home the ball he grabbed from his spinning compatriot.
Speaking of Gordon, the longtime Dunk Contest also-ran was shouted out online, with Rob Lopez of FanDuel opining that Gordon is still the superior Dunk Contest competitor in Magic history.
Castle leapt up for a behind-the-back look, nailing it instantly. He earned his first perfect score from the panel.
Castle was rightly praised all across the board for closing strong.
For his grand finale, McClung grabbed a handoff from Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star power forward Evan Mobley, tapped the rim with the ball, then slammed it home.
Understandably, McClung set the web ablaze with his gravity-defying antics
When the dust had settled, “Entourage” star Jerry Ferrara gave Castle his props for a valiant second-place effort.Props to Stephon Castle. Stepped up and had some great dunks. Just ran into a buzz saw.— Jerry Ferrara (@jerryferrara) February 16, 2025
Longtime NBA insider Marc Stein posited that McClung’s historic run, during which he has basically singlehandedly made the Dunk Contest relevant again, would be studied for the ages.
During a post-Dunk Contest interview with TNT’s Allie LaForce, McClung hinted that he may be done after his three-peat.But the Chase Center faithful, at least, were rooting for his return.
League stat-head (and, perhaps, NBA salary cap-head) Keerthika Uthayakumar observed that McClung has actually made more through his Dunk Contest victories than he has while playing on an NBA floor.
It’s a stunning stat. Surely, Orlando will at least give McClung a look as a real bench piece following this glorious encore run.Still, beyond McClung, the output was somewhat inconsistent. Castle had some creative attempts, but he didn’t really get cooking until his final round flushes.Long gone are the days where a prime Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins would compete for Dunk Contest crowns.The world is still waiting for LeBron James’ Slam Dunk Contest debut, after all.More NBA News:Trae Young Replaces Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2025 NBA All-Star GameNBA Trade Tracker — Every Deal Made at DeadlineTop 5 Potential NBA Buyout Market PlayersNew NBA All-Star Game Format ExplainedFor more NBA news and rumors, stay tuned to Newsweek Sports.
