New Orleans Pelicans forward Zion Williamson is a scintillating player.
Despite his pronounced scoring efforts and development as a playmaker, his dietary habits and lack of durability have dominated discussions about his NBA career. Nonetheless, at 6-foot-6 and 284 pounds, Williamson is like a mesh between Shaquille O’Neal and Shawn Kemp, routinely accomplishing athletic feats that a man of his size simply shouldn’t be capable of. In short, Williamson is a walking highlight reel.
Zion Williamson Commits to Slam Dunk Contest
On Tuesday, Zion Williamson set the NBA world ablaze as he announced his willingness to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest. There is a caveat, as the 2-time All-Star revealed that he’ll only participate if he’s named an All-Star. However, the idea of Williamson headlining the infamous competition already has fans excited about the possibility.
“I gotta do my part and make the All-Star game. If I’m in the All-Star game, Ill do the dunk contest”
— Zion Williamson on participating in the Dunk Contest pic.twitter.com/0nmMmjB9iL
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) March 6, 2024
Addressing the media after the New Orleans Pelicans thrashed the Scottie Barnes-less Toronto Raptors, the 23-year-old may just have been in a good mood. Yet, with Boston Celtics wing Jaylen Brown taking part in the 2024 Slam Dunk Contest and bringing star power back to the competition, Williamson’s eventual participation is definitely feasible.
Zion Williamson DESTROYED the dunk contest 💪 pic.twitter.com/6a5inAdXXS
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 27, 2018
Even more than that, it’s reinvigorating. Many fans grew up watching the league’s top players showing off their craziest dunks. Nowadays, fans never get the chance to.
Restoring Honor to the Slam Dunk Contest
Over the years, NBA fans have become disenchanted with the once-popular Slam Dunk Contest.
On the one hand, there was the issue of star power. Increasingly obscure participants are being given stage. It’s not that little-known or end-of-the-bench players never took part in the competition. However, those players were usually the minority; granted an underdog status that enhanced interest in their participation.
Another issue seems to be players running out of ideas or leaning too heavily into remaking popular dunks. This relative lack of creativity has even been displayed by Osceola Magic guard Mac McClung. In fact, last month McClung won the 2024 Slam Dunk Contest despite completing similar dunks throughout the competition.
As previously mentioned, this isn’t a criticism expressly made to denigrate McClung. His dunks, and that of others, are impressive in and of themselves. Nonetheless, the novelty of the experience has been diminished and that’s worth lamenting.
In Williamson’s joining the Slam Dunk Contest, there’s obviously no guarantee he’ll win. However, he’s participated in dunk contests before, and rocked the rim in various ways. With that said, the success of Williamson’s participation in the contest may not come down to whether he wins the championship but the show he puts on for the fans.
