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Time of India
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
5 NBA Slam Dunk Contests every basketball fan remembers
5 NBA Slam Dunk Contests every basketball fan remembers (Image Credit: Getty Images) The NBA is not only about the fights among teams for the title from the start of the season to its end. It continues to entertain basketball fans long after the season. Due to the hype created and the fans' love for basketball stars, dunk contests have become an integral part of NBA culture. To date, 38 NBA Slam Dunk contests have been organized. The first Slam Dunk contest was held in 1984, which was won by Larry Nance. Since then, the All-Star break has become a moment every bona fide NBA lover looks forward to. The popularity of Slam Dunk events can be gauged from the fact that even the legends like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant looked forward to participating in them. Recently, during All-Star Weekend in San Francisco, Mac McClung won the Slam Dunk contest. He became the first ever player to have won three contests in a row. Also, he equaled Nate Robinson's record of winning three Slam Dunk contests. Let's take a look at the most talked-about NBA slam dunk contests that helped star players establish themselves as undisputable kings of the court. 1988 - Iconic duel between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins The iconic dunk contest between legendary Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins took place at Chicago Stadium, the home court of Jordan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 오스템 임플란트 받아가세요 임플란터 더 알아보기 Undo This contest is memorable both because of the hype and the controversy surrounding it. Jordan won it by a narrow margin, pushing Wilkins down the popularity chart. Michael Jordan vs. Dominique Wilkins | NBA Slam Dunk Contest | Director's Commentary | The Ringer Jordan's free-throw line dunk sealed the win in the duel for him. However, murmurs spread quickly among fans who thought Wilkins' power dunks were not scored correctly by the judges, leading to Jordan's win in the contest. This duel still makes a place in the discussions whenever memorable moments from the NBA are talked about. 2000 - Legendary dunks by Vince Carter, no less than masterclass for beginners Vince Carter, a master dunker from the Raptors, scored a perfect 50 twice, making the 2000 Slam Dunk contest a classic piece of learning for beginners. Carter displayed reverse 360 Windmill Dunk, Arm-in-the-Rim Dunk, and 360 Windmill from the baseline dunks to declare his supremacy in the game. Vince Carter puts on a show in legendary 2000 Slam Dunk Contest | NBA Highlights After scoring an Arm-in-the-Rim dunk, he turned to the cameras and blurted, 'It's over!', which became one of the iconic moments in NBA. 2008 - Winner Dwight Howard's 'Superman' moment made it unforgettable Orlando Magic's Dwight Howard made the contest quite dramatic as well as memorable with his change to a Superman cape mid-contest. Breaking from the traditional dunk, he chose to launch the ball into the loop. It led to a powerful throw-in because of the height at which he jumped. Dwight Howard - 2008 NBA Slam Dunk Contest (Champion) (Improved Quality) Judges gave a perfect 50 for his Supermanly show. Magic Johnson and the crowd erupted, 'It's over!' Another high point of the contest was the 'Birthday Cake' dunk. The runner-up, Gerald Green, performed this dunk, making it more dramatic by blowing out a candle mid-air. With the introduction of props and costumes, drama became an element of dunk culture after this contest. 2020 - Derrick Jones Jr face-off against Aaron Gordon, leading to tie-breaker Derrick Jones Jr and Aaron Gordon gave a tough fight to each other, leading the contest to a tie-breaker. Jones Jr and Gordon scored perfect 50s back-to-back in the final round, which required a tie-breaker dunk to decide the winner. In the final dunk, Gordon leaped over 7'5' Tacko Fall to score a dunk. It was awarded 47 points, which stirred reactions from fans. They thought it was an unfair decision to rob Gordon of the three points. Jones Jr won the final dunk and the contest by scoring a perfect 50. 2023 - A complete Mac McClung Show Philadelphia 76ers' Mac McClung ruled the 2023 NBA Slam Dunk contest with his sheer brilliance. He made a historic 99.8 score, the highest for the starting round in the contest. In the final round, too, he repeated the magic and scored two perfect 50s, culminating his journey in a phenomenal win. McClung made the winning dunk in his high school jersey; it was a 540-degree dunk and earned him the victory in the contest. He started a new trend by becoming the first G-League player to receive an invitation to the contest. Also Read: Mac McClung: From G League stardom to NBA's surprise dunk contest champ Slam Dunk Contests are terrific entertainers, and an honest display of athleticism and intelligence by the players. The contest is increasingly becoming dramatic and is being decorated with wow factors like jumping over the cars to make it more exciting.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Mac McClung's Likely Decision on NBA Future With Magic Revealed
Mac McClung's Likely Decision on NBA Future With Magic Revealed originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Guard Mac McClung represented the Orlando Magic at the NBA Slam Dunk Contest each of the past two seasons. But that might not be enough to keep him with the organization. Advertisement Spotrac's Keith Smith argued on June 5 that the Magic will move on from McClung this offseason. "Don't expect Mac McClung or Trevelin Queen to return," Smith wrote. "They've run their course on two-way deals with Orlando and will look for more opportunity elsewhere, or could cash in on good deals to play bigger roles overseas." McClung played just two games with the Magic this season. He didn't score and posted 1.5 assists with .5 rebound. Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung© Daniel Dunn-Imagn Images McClung is best known for his participation in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. During his first season with the Magic organization in 2023-24, McClung became just the fifth player to win the contest in back-to-back seasons. Advertisement The guard, though, didn't play a game for the Magic in the 2023-24 season. He spent the entire season with the Osceola Magic in the G-League. McClung was the first G-League player to win the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. The guard also made history with his third consecutive Slam Dunk Contest victory in 2025. No other player has won the contest in three consecutive years. McClung joined Nate Robinson as the only two players to win the contest three times. In addition to the Magic, McClung has made appearances for the Chicago Bulls, Los Angeles Lakers and Philadelphia 76ers in over four years with the league. With all four teams, he's played a combined six games. Advertisement McClung saw his most average playing time in two games with the 76ers during the 2022-23 season. In six NBA contests overall, he's averaged 5.5 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game. Related: Magic Dealt Unfortunate News on $197 Million NBA Trade Rumor This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
OKC Thunder storms past Nuggets in Game 7 to reach Western Conference finals
If you buy something through a link in this article, we may earn commission. Pricing and availability subject to change. After getting a steal late in the second quarter, Jalen Williams tested the breakaway rim with a viscous two-handed dunk. The OKC forward then stood over the basketball while it bounced on the Paycom Center floor. And, with adrenaline coursing through his veins, he yelled at it. Advertisement What Williams said, exactly, couldn't be heard over the deafening home crowd. Maybe that was for the best, but the ball shouldn't take it personally. The real message was meant for Williams' critics, and there were plenty of them entering OKC's 125-93 home win over Denver in Game 7 of the Western Conference semifinals on Sunday. Williams had struggled all series, averaging 16.5 points through the first six games. But he surpassed that number in the second quarter alone with 17 points. Williams finished with 24 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander also poured in a game-high 35 points and three steals, while Chet Holmgren added 13 points and 11 boards. Advertisement No. 1-seeded OKC will now advance to the Western Conference finals for the first time since 2016. It'll face No. 6 Minnesota. Here are four more takeaways from the game: CARLSON: With road to NBA championship wide open, OKC Thunder passes huge test bouncing Nuggets The banged-up Nuggets struck first Aaron Gordon, once known for his gravity-defying jams in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, only got a few inches off the ground when he elevated for a layup late in the first quarter. It was the best the Denver forward could do as he played through a Grade 2 left hamstring strain that should've sidelined him for a month, according to ESPN's Shams Charania. But it was good enough. Advertisement Gordon absorbed the contact from Cason Wallace and finished the and-one layup. That extended the lead to 21-10 for Denver, which struck first despite having numerous banged-up players. Michael Porter Jr. continued to play through a Grade 2 shoulder sprain, which he said should've sidelined him for 4-6 weeks. Instead, the 26-year-old forward has been taking lidocaine shots to play through the pain. Jamal Murray has also been battling an illness, and Russell Westbrook appeared on the injury report Saturday with a sprained right hand. More: Why Queen's 'Don't Stop Me Now' is the OKC Thunder's victory anthem at Paycom Center Depth was the difference as OKC ran away with the game Jokic sat for the first 99 seconds of the second quarter. Advertisement It was a brief break for the three-time MVP, who helped Denver build a 26-21 lead. But as he caught his breath, the Nuggets went lifeless. OKC outscored Denver 8-0 during Jokic's absence. Isaiah Hartenstein capped off the scoring spree with a put-back dunk, and Nuggets head coach David Adelman was forced to burn a timeout so he could get his superstar center back in the game. OKC claimed a 60-46 lead at halftime, and Denver's lack of depth was its downfall in the first two quarters. Its three bench players (Westbrook, Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther) combined for a plus-minus of negative-52. OKC also played three guys off the bench in the first half: Alex Caruso, Aaron Wiggins and Wallace. They combined for a plus-minus of 45. Advertisement More: How OKC Thunder's Isaiah Hartenstein improved as Nikola Jokic's backup with Nuggets Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) hugs Denver's Russell Westbrook (4) after the Thunder eliminated the Nuggets with a 125-93 victory in Game 7 at Paycom Center on May 18. OKC played its fast-paced style of basketball Jamal Murray was in what could generously be described as a jog. Christian Braun was slowly backtracking. And Gordon, to be fair, was hindered by a hamstring injury. That wasn't a great formula for Denver, which struggled to get back on defense after Porter missed a 3-pointer midway through the third quarter. And OKC took advantage. Williams snagged the board and zipped a pass to Wallace, who only had Jokic standing between him and the rim. He threw down a viscous one-handed dunk over the big man, causing Thunder fans to nearly tear the roof off of the Paycom Center. Advertisement Plays like that fueled OKC in its blowout victory. The Thunder recorded 27 fastbreak points compared to the Nuggets' 14. It also forced 23 turnovers and converted them into 37 points. MUSSATTO: Jalen Williams redeems himself in Game 7 of NBA Playoffs by fueling Thunder past Nuggets OKC enters Western Conference finals as young, battle-tested squad You know the stats. Pretty much everyone who follows the Thunder does. OKC entered this season as the youngest team in the NBA. It's also the second-youngest team in league history to secure the No. 1 seed in either conference, trailing only itself from last season. Advertisement OKC's youth is no secret. And it'll be the less-experienced team once again in its Western Conference finals series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, who reached that stage last season. The Thunder is still the new kid on the block, but it's no longer smooth-skinned and clean-shaven. It's a rugged group, covered in battle scars from a war of a series against the Nuggets. Game 1 between OKC and Minnesota is set for 7:30 p.m. CT Tuesday in Oklahoma City (ESPN). REQUIRED READING: OKC Thunder didn't 'leave anything on the table' in Game 7 smackdown of Denver Nuggets Western Conference finals: Thunder vs. Timberwolves Game 1: Minnesota at OKC | 7:30 p.m. Tuesday (ESPN) Game 2: Minnesota at OKC | 7:30 p.m. Thursday (ESPN) Game 3: OKC at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC) Game 4: OKC at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 26 (ESPN) Game 5 (If necessary): Minnesota at OKC | 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 28 (ESPN) Game 6 (If necessary): OKC at Minnesota | 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 30 (ESPN) Game 7 (If necessary): Minnesota at OKC | 7 p.m. Sunday, June 1 (ESPN) This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: OKC Thunder dismantles Denver Nuggets to advance in 2025 NBA Playoffs
NBC Sports
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC Sports
VINCE CARTER TO JOIN NBC SPORTS AS NBA STUDIO ANALYST BEGINNING THIS FALL
Hall of Famer and Eight-Time NBA All-Star Begins Studio Analyst Role in October 2025 when the NBA Returns to NBC and Debuts on Peacock STAMFORD, Conn. – May 13, 2025 – Vince Carter, a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and an eight-time NBA All-Star who is widely considered one of the greatest dunkers in NBA history, will join NBC Sports as a studio analyst when the NBA returns to NBC and debuts on Peacock this October. Carter played a record 22 seasons in the NBA, spending most of his time with the Toronto Raptors (1998-2004) and New Jersey Nets (2004-2009), both of whom retired his No. 15 jersey. His lengthy and illustrious career saw him earn multiple accolades and awards, including his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2024. Carter was an eight-time NBA All-Star; a two-time All-NBA selection; the 1999 NBA Rookie of the Year; the 2000 NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion, where he showcased one of the most memorable performances in the event's history, completing a 360 windmill and a between-the-legs dunk; and currently sits in 10th place on the NBA's all-time made three-pointers list (2,290) and in the top 25 on the all-time scoring list (25,728). His 22 seasons played is tied for first all-time with LeBron James and he's fourth all-time for career games played (1,541). Carter also spent time with the Orlando Magic, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Atlanta Hawks. When Carter joins NBC Sports in October for the start of the 2025-26 NBA season, he will be in studio one or more nights per week through the playoffs, often working alongside Carmelo Anthony. 'I could not be more excited and appreciative to have the opportunity to be a part of the historic return of the NBA to NBC and now Peacock,' said Carter. 'I am truly looking forward to joining Melo in the studio and the rest of the broadcast team overall, as we embark on bringing NBA fans best-in-class coverage of the league they love.' 'Vince is one of the most explosive players in NBA history,' said Sam Flood, Executive Producer, NBC Sports. 'His dynamic play on the court has translated seamlessly into his broadcasting career, where he will next be in the studio alongside Carmelo Anthony – a fellow Hall of Famer, perennial All-Star, and Olympic champion who's also played with or against the stars of yesterday and today.' Carter also had a successful international career, winning the gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics while leading Team USA in scoring (14.8 points per game). During the Games, Carter famously performed one of the most memorable dunks of all time. The fifth overall pick in the 1998 NBA Draft, Carter had a decorated college career at North Carolina, where he led the Tar Heels to back-to-back Final Four appearances and ACC titles. In his junior and final year in Chapel Hill, he was named a second-team All-American and first-team All-ACC selection. In his senior year at Mainland High School in his hometown Daytona Beach, Fla., Carter led his school to a state championship and was selected as a McDonald's All-American; in 2012, he was named one of the 35 greatest McDonald's All-Americans of all time. Since retiring from the NBA, Carter has served as an NBA and college basketball analyst for both ESPN and Turner Sports. He was also a basketball analyst for NBCUniversal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. For more information on Carter, click here. *** In July 2024, NBCUniversal and the NBA announced an 11-year agreement to present NBA and WNBA regular-season and playoff basketball games across numerous platforms beginning with the 2025-26 season. Peacock will livestream exclusive national Monday night games while NBC/Peacock will present national coverage of regional doubleheaders on Tuesday nights. NBC Sports will launch Sunday Night Basketball in 2026 across NBC and Peacock, providing NBA fans with three consecutive nights of national coverage across NBCUniversal platforms during the second half of the regular season. For more information on the agreement, click here. NBC Sports has already announced that Jamal Crawford and Reggie Miller will serve as game analysts, Carmelo Anthony as a studio analyst, and Mike Tirico and Noah Eagle as play-by-play voices. Michael Jordan has been announced as a special contributor. Emmy Award-winning producer Frank DiGraci is NBC Sports' NBA coordinating producer. In a nod to its original era of NBA coverage from 1990-2002, NBC Sports is also bringing back Roundball Rock, one of the most iconic and beloved theme songs in sports history, and will use an AI-generated voice of the late Jim Fagan, a longtime NBC Sports narrator whose voice was synonymous with its NBA coverage and promotion. Additional information about NBC Sports' 2025-26 NBA coverage will be announced soon. ABOUT NBC SPORTS NBC Sports connects sports fans to the moments that matter most with premier live events, insightful studio shows, and compelling original programming. As the sports division of NBCUniversal, NBC Sports produces, programs, and promotes premier content across numerous linear and digital platforms, including NBC and Peacock. NBC Sports possesses an unparalleled collection of media rights agreements, partnering and presenting many of the most prestigious sports properties in the world: the International Olympic Committee, International Paralympic Committee, United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee, the NFL, NBA, WNBA, Big Ten Conference, Big East Conference, Notre Dame, NASCAR, PGA TOUR, USGA, PGA of America, The R&A, Churchill Downs, Premier League, and many more. It is renowned for making big events bigger and has produced some of the most-watched sporting events in U.S. media history, including Olympic Games, Super Bowls, and Sunday Night Football, primetime television's No. 1 show for 14 consecutive years. --NBC SPORTS--
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
YouTube Star Jesser Signs With CAA
Jesser, the YouTuber billed as the largest individual sports creator on the platform, has signed with CAA for representation in all areas. Jesser (full name: Jesse Riedel) currently has nearly 29 million subscribers on YouTube, where his channel has generated more than 7 billion lifetime views. According to his team, Jesser has more than 36 million followers across social media. He was previously repped by Night. More from Variety CAA Launches Global Family Office Advisory Led by Julie Zorn Tensions Erupt Inside Wall Street Journal Over Competing Projects About Imprisoned Journalist Evan Gershkovich (EXCLUSIVE) CAA Expands Media and Entertainment Partnerships Department With 3 New Key Hires (EXCLUSIVE) Riedel, 26, is a two-time winner of the Streamy Awards' Sports Creator of the Year award. He is known primarily for his basketball videos and gameshow-like formats on his YouTube channel. His videos have featured collaborations with sports stars including Jalen Ramsey, Damian Lillard and James Harden, as well as CAA clients Jaren Jackson Jr. and Julius Randle. Jesser's popular YouTube series 'Guess the NBA Player' has featured stars including Giannis Antetokounmpo, Gilbert Arenas and Chet Holmgren. Jesser has been a marquee creator partner for the NBA for several years, having been a part of the judge's table for the 2025 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, appearing in multiple celebrity all-star games and launching an official apparel collab with the league last year. Riedel is the founder of Bucketsquad, a multichannel creator-centered content and commerce company. Its sports and streetwear brand, Bucketsquad Apparel, launched in 2022 and will generate 'eight figures' in direct-to-consumer ecommerce revenue in 2025, the company says. In addition, Jesser has worked with brands such as Nike, Gatorade, DraftKings, Adidas, SoFi, Meta, EA Sports, Under Armour, Nintendo, Nerf, Reebok, Axe, Amazon, Champs and Sour Patch Kids. Jesser is expanding his brand and content into soccer, football and baseball, and will be hosting live events this year such as his upcoming creator basketball event on June 21, 2025, at VidCon in Anaheim. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
