Brown Restores Star Attraction to Dunk Contest with a Creative and Skillful Display

After a six-season absence of NBA All-Stars in the Slam Dunk Contest, Jaylen Brown, donning the No. 7 for Boston, reintroduced star power to the event during All-Star Saturday Night in Indianapolis. Despite falling to repeat champion Mac McClung in the final round, Brown’s performance was both stylish and meaningful.

Brown approached the contest with a unique perspective, viewing dunking as an art form. He used the platform to pay tribute to significant people and places in his life, turning each dunk into a statement about his journey and legacy.

Starting with a Dominique Wilkins-style windmill slam in homage to his Atlanta roots, Brown earned a high score of 48.8. He then honored Boston and Dunk Contest champion Dee Brown by executing a modern version of Dee’s iconic no-look slam with an assist from Jayson Tatum. This dunk secured a score of 47.6, propelling Brown to the finals.

For his third dunk, Brown switched to a Brewster Academy jersey with “Clarke” on the back, paying tribute to his late friend Terrence Clarke. The LED court displayed Clarke’s image as Brown executed a powerful 360-jam, earning a score of 48.6.

In a humorous twist, Brown addressed social media discourse about his left-hand skills by wearing a Michael Jackson-esque studded white glove. Soaring over Donovan Mitchell, he delivered a left-handed slam, playfully telling his critics to “Beat It.” This dunk earned him the highest score of the night, a 49.2.

Throughout the contest, Brown aimed to infuse purpose and messages into each dunk, making the event more than just a display of athleticism. His presence and artistic approach injected much-needed star power back into the Dunk Contest, providing a special and memorable experience for fans.