NBA All Star Game: Mac McClung defied gravity and achieved memorable dunk contest consecration

He had just played two games in the world’s top basketball league, but that didn’t seem to weigh on Mac McClung. The 24-year-old, who accumulates brilliant numbers in the current season of the G-LeagI wore the Delaware Blue Coats jersey, dazzled the NBA this Saturday with a memorable performance at the All Star Game where he defied gravity take dunk tournament with authoritySt.

At the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City, home of the Utah Jazz, McClung was the architect of large interventions and breathed new life into a contest which has attracted criticism in recent editions for its low level.

In his first appearance, he threatened to jump two people in line, but — surely as part of his show — he invited one of them to ride on the other’s shoulders. He was there when the run started, to grab the ball his partner was on, press it lightly against the backboard and bury it in the ring, on his back, after a spectacular jump on both.

The action he captivated the audience, the other NBA stars and the judging panel, who were surprised by the ability of this “just” 1.88m basketball player who recently signed a two-way contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. Due to the characteristics of that bond, McClung could allow him to have a revenge in the NBA or even continue to defend the colors of the Delaware Blue Coats, affiliated with that franchise.

The concrete thing is that then came the confirmation that this play had not been a coincidence. McClung tackled the painted area from the right sector and after spinning around, in the air, turned the ball over. A few moments later, however, he polished the action and repeated it, now with a black jersey with the writing Gate City (his hometown, in Virginia) and the number 0 on the forehead, to definitively demolish the predictions with a impressive 360°.

Thus, after having accepted the invitation to share the bill with Jericho Sims, Trey Murphy and Kenyon Martin Jr., and with three best scores and one near perfect, He took a somewhat devalued trophy in the previous one, but which remained with the odds rising after his appearance this Saturday, the day he became the first player to win an All Star Game dunk contest from the NBA Development League.

Before this weekend, the young basketball player from Virginia had barely played a couple of games in the NBA, a championship he hadn’t been able to access via the Draft. He played both games in the 2021-2022 season, one for the Chicago Bulls and the others for the Los Angeles Lakers.

He was named G League Rookie of the Year that same year after averaging 21.6 points, 7.6 assists, 6.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 27 games representing the South Bay Lakers and Windy City. Bulls.

Now McClung, who signed for the Golden State Warriors in 2022 but was released before the start of the season, will have the opportunity to wear the number 9 jersey of the Philadelphia 76ers, safe in the knowledge that he convincingly delivered the victory of the dunk trophy tournament in the NBA, which he received from the legendary Julius Erving.

Damian Lillard won his first All-Star Game 3-point contest

Portland Trail Blazers star Damian Lillard won his first trophy in the All-Star Game 3-point contest of the NBA. The 32-year-old point guard beat Buddy Hield and Tyrese Haliburton, both of the Indiana Pacers, in the final at Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City (Utah).

In his third contest appearance, Lillard competed wearing a uniform from his home university, Weber State, located just 37 miles from Salt Lake City. “That makes it even more special. Tried it twice before and glad to have it here“, acknowledged the point guard when he collected the trophy.

“The best shooters in history have one of these and I wanted to win it at least once before I retire,” said Lillard, who also happens to be the first winner of the contest in Blazers history.

Lillard had 26 points in the first round of the contest, which eliminated Tyler Herro (Heat), Kevin Huerter (Kings), Julius Randle (Knicks), Jayson Tatum (Celtics) and Lauri Markkanen (Jazz).

In the final the point guard repeated 26 points again, surpassing the 25 that Buddy Hield had preceded with his last triple from a corner. Haliburton tried to get past Lillard afterwards but fell to 17 points.

Lillard, who is averaging 31.4 points and 4.2 triples per game this season, and who succeeded Dominican-American center Karl-Anthony Towns (Timberwolves), a surprising 2022 winner, as the winner of the triple tournament, he will participate in his seventh All-Star game on Sunday.

In the other contest skills, Utah Jazz players prevailed Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton.

Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), who is expected to captain one of the All-Star teams on Sunday, was sidelined as a precaution with a wrist injury sustained Thursday.

The Greek was relieved by his Bucks teammate Jrue Holiday, who competed alongside the other two Antetokounmpo brothers: Alex (Wisconsin Herd – G League) and Thanasis (Bucks).

AND