For years, the NBA Slam Dunk Contest has given us some of the most electrifying moments in basketball history. From Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins to Vince Carter’s legendary 2000 performance and the epic Zach LaVine vs. Aaron Gordon battles, the dunk contest has always been about high-flying superstars pushing the limits of what’s possible. Man, I miss the real show.
But in recent years, the event has lost some of its luster. Too often, we see lesser-known players participate while the league’s biggest stars sit out. But what if the NBA finally gave the fans what they really wanted? Here is who we want , imagine this dream lineup featuring:
- Ant – Anthony Edwards – The Minnesota Timberwolves’ explosive guard has the swagger, bounce, and creativity to put on a show. His poster dunks in games prove he’s built for this stage.
- Ja Morant – When Ja takes flight, it looks like he’s floating. His mix of power and finesse would make him a perfect dunk contest star.
- Donovan Mitchell – “Spida” won the dunk contest in 2018, but we’ve never seen him truly challenged on that stage. With his insane vertical, he could take things to another level.
- Victor Wembanyama – At 7’4” with guard-like agility, Wemby could introduce a never-before-seen element to the contest: big-man creativity. What if he threw down a windmill from the free-throw line or dunked without jumping?
A New Era of Dunk Showdowns
This lineup would bring back the energy of the golden days when the best athletes went at it. Think about:
- MJ vs. ‘Nique (1988) – The ultimate one-on-one duel, ending with Jordan’s iconic free-throw line dunk.
- Vince Carter (2000) – Maybe the most dominant performance ever, featuring the elbow-in-the-rim dunk that changed dunk contests forever.
- Blake Griffin (2011) – The dunk over the car might have been gimmicky, but Griffin’s raw power was undeniable.
- Zach LaVine vs. Aaron Gordon (2016 & 2020) – Maybe the two most creative contests ever. LaVine’s between-the-legs free-throw line dunk and Gordon’s jumping over the mascot while sitting in midair were pure magic.
Here’s the Million-Dollar Idea
What if a major brand—Nike, Adidas, Uber or even Red Bull—stepped in with a $5 million winner-takes-all prize? It’s clear that today’s stars need more incentive to participate, and this could be the key. The biggest names would have no excuse to sit out, and we’d get the legendary contest we’ve been waiting for.
The NBA needs to bring the dunk contest back to its roots: superstars, jaw-dropping moments, and a battle for the ages. Let’s make it happen.
