February Games Discussion Thread

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

[VDusen04]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

Because we've probably seen nearly every dunk imaginable, plus like OJ said with these professional dunkers we can go on youtube to see the stuff we haven't seen before. Feel like to keep interest in it they had to add props but that has made all the dunk contests too gimmicky for my tastes. But I haven't watched it since they had Blake Griffin jumping over KIAs in the dunk contest...brought to you by KIA.

The crazy thing is that I remember the "we've already seen it all" angle being part of the reason the league shut down the dunk contest in 1998 and 1999. We had no idea what was coming.

Twenty-five years have passed since 1998 so the amount of original dunks left now is much smaller than it was in 1998. That being said, I think McClung's performance proved it's still possible to put on a really fun dunk contest performance, even if you're not completing the most insane, original, and completely unseen dunks. Dude was just enthusiastic, emphatic, and cared enough to add some personal stylistic tweaks to make each dunk his own.

I think the contest still has legs as long as there's still guys out there who actually care enough about dunking. I think the biggest issue is that we've all conflated insane athleticism with good dunking over the years when in truth, a lot of these super athletic guys just suck at the art of the dunk. They can jump amazingly high and dunk and that's beautiful in itself, but their contest game is weak because their artform is weak.

Throughout history, it's always been the guys who've cared enough about the artform that have thrived. MJ, Nique, Dr. J, Miner, Rider, VC, Mason, J-Rich, LaVine, etc.

I actually think Harold Miner is a nice comparison for Mac McClung, just in terms of Miner's dunk success being primarily a product of his own personal swagger and authority. We'd seen plenty of reverse dunks by the time he joined the fray in '93, but we hadn't seen someone do it quite like Baby Jordan (cranking the ball deep, hammering with the ferocity of Dominique on steroids). And his energy was contagious.

Even in lieu of stars, fun dunkers can make the contest fun. But if you're rolling out randoms and they're all the types of dudes who dream up stupid ideas that they practice a few times and go, "Meh, that should be good", then you're going to have a bad time.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

I applaud those that still continue to watch these events, especially while knowing that they’ve been on a steady decline over the last decade or so(save for a year or two).

I’m assuming folks online have been throwing out the “He saved the Dunk Contest!” card like they normally do after every year?

Edit: Just saw the highlights/recap and I just wanna say as a goofy looking white dude, I'm thrilled a goofy looking white dude won it. This is for all us guise

It’s bad enough they had this event in Utah of all places, but THIS right here takes the cake. During Black History Month no less???

I feel scammed SMH

[ggsimmonds]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

The crazy thing is that I remember the "we've already seen it all" angle being part of the reason the league shut down the dunk contest in 1998 and 1999. We had no idea what was coming.

Twenty-five years have passed since 1998 so the amount of original dunks left now is much smaller than it was in 1998. That being said, I think McClung's performance proved it's still possible to put on a really fun dunk contest performance, even if you're not completing the most insane, original, and completely unseen dunks. Dude was just enthusiastic, emphatic, and cared enough to add some personal stylistic tweaks to make each dunk his own.

I think the contest still has legs as long as there's still guys out there who actually care enough about dunking. I think the biggest issue is that we've all conflated insane athleticism with good dunking over the years when in truth, a lot of these super athletic guys just suck at the art of the dunk. They can jump amazingly high and dunk and that's beautiful in itself, but their contest game is weak because their artform is weak.

Throughout history, it's always been the guys who've cared enough about the artform that have thrived. MJ, Nique, Dr. J, Miner, Rider, VC, Mason, J-Rich, LaVine, etc.

I actually think Harold Miner is a nice comparison for Mac McClung, just in terms of Miner's dunk success being primarily a product of his own personal swagger and authority. We'd seen plenty of reverse dunks by the time he joined the fray in '93, but we hadn't seen someone do it quite like Baby Jordan (cranking the ball deep, hammering with the ferocity of Dominique on steroids). And his energy was contagious.

Even in lieu of stars, fun dunkers can make the contest fun. But if you're rolling out randoms and they're all the types of dudes who dream up stupid ideas that they practice a few times and go, "Meh, that should be good", then you're going to have a bad time.

Thats why I think LeBron never did it. He is great at throwing down some powerful one hand tomahawks in games, but I don't think he would do well in a contest.

It’s bad enough they had this event in Utah of all places, but THIS right here takes the cake. During Black History Month no less???

I feel scammed SMH

Bro even looked like a mormon

[JazzMan]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

Mac Maclung looks just like my old manager back when I used to work produce department at Hyvee lmao

Kid's got crazy bounce. Hopefully this isn't just another Jeremy Evans situation and we get to see him in this thing/the league for awhile

[MrDubya]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

It was a good moment for Dame and my guys, when he won the 3-point contest. I was glad Simons got the dunk contest win a few years ago too.

[illwill10]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

Mac Maclung looks just like my old manager back when I used to work produce department at Hyvee lmao

Kid's got crazy bounce. Hopefully this isn't just another Jeremy Evans situation and we get to see him in this thing/the league for awhile

Doc certainly isn't going to ever consider playing him. We drafted a 19 year old(Springer) last year in the first round. Only has played in garbage time minutes so far. I don't even see him.playing next year as the 3rd year 21 year old. Doc isn't going to play McClung.

Heck, I feel they only.gave him a Two-way was for the Dunk Contest.

[dubcity]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

I would 1000% prefer just doing East vs West again, and skipping this fake "who's gonna get picked 1st ... and who's gonna get picked last" drama.

[ojandpizza]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

Audio ****ed up

[dubcity]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

God this is odd lol

[MrDubya]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

Are Shaq and Charles talking over EJ on the mic?

[dubcity]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

Are they picking in reverse?

Edit: damn, I was messed up just like Giannis lol

[ojandpizza]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

I don’t understand how this keeps somebody from being picked last when somebody will be picked last before the starters lol

[dubcity]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

I think if I made the all-star game I would fake an injury just to avoid this shenanigans right here lol

[ojandpizza]

Re: February Games Discussion Thread

JJJ last, see what I mean [emoji23]