By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Philadelphia 76ers guard and slam dunk contest champion Mac McClung stole the show in All-Star Saturday, providing a performance that was not seen in a while and compensating the viewers for a severe lack of star power.
McClung, who is under a two-way contract with the Sixers and their G-League affiliate the Delaware Blue Coats, dominated the competition, receiving a score of 50 in all but one instance and finishing all his dunk attemps on the first try.
His first attemp included dunking over two people, hitting the backboard with the ball and then a reverse jam, setting the tone from the get-go.
“It kind of feels, ever since the beginning, I was the underdog,” McClung said afterward. “Even when I was younger… Just proving yourself right, not others wrong, it brings a little more satisfaction.”
McClung gained an online following in high school for YouTube compilations of his dunks that seemed otherworldly for a 6-foot-2 player. He complited the contest by putting on his Gate City (Virginia) high school uniform over his red Sixers jersey and threw down a 540-degree two-handed dunk – one-and-a-half turns in the air – to secure the trophy.
McClung edged out Trey Murphy III of the New Orleans Pelicans in the final round. Jericho Sims of the New York Knicks and Kenyon Martin Jr. of the Houston Rockets bowed out after the first round.
Utah celebrates skills challenge win and Lillard triumph
The event’s host state of Utah dominated the day otherwise. The hometown Utah Jazz trio of Jordan Clarkson, Jabari Smith Jr. and Collin Sexton cruised to victory in the skills challenge and Damian Lillard, who went to college at Weber State outside of Salt Lake City, secured another win for Utah by coming out on top in the 3-point contest.
Lillard, one of five All-Stars in the competition – along with Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton, Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle and Utah Jazz forward Lauri Markkanen – placed second behind Haliburton, and ahead of Buddy Hield, through the first round and went on to win the final with ease.
The Utah Jazz group of Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler and Collin Sexton beat out Team Antetokounmpo and Team Rookies to win the All-Star skills challenge.
Giannis Antetokounmpo, nursing a sore wrist, was an unofficial coach for his team with Jrue Holiday stepping in to play with his brothers, Thanasis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and Alex Antetokounmpo of the G League’s Wisconsin Herd.
The rookies team featured Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic, Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets and Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons.