The NBA Announced the Slam Dunk Contest Field, and Fans Were Not Impressed

The NBA revealed the unofficial list of participants for the 2024 Slam Dunk Contest at All-Star Weekend on Feb. 17 in Indianapolis, and the rumored names left plenty to be desired.

The four players expected to participate in the contest are Mac McClung, the Boston Celtics’ Jaylen Brown, the Miami Heat’s Jaime Jaquez Jr., and Jacob Toppin from the New York Knicks, according to Shams Charania.

McClung, a G-leaguer who played for the Philadelphia 76ers last season, will return to defend his title after revitalizing the dunk contest last year with his out-of-the-box creativity and smooth execution.

Jaylen Brown, one of the bigger names on the list, would be the first All-Star in seven years to participate in the dunk contest, which may garner some excitement from fans.

While many were happy to see McClung back and Brown participating in the competition this year, the rest of the lineup didn’t exactly evoke anticipation from the rest of the NBA community.

I’ll say this with as much respect as I can.

The dunk contest is dead.
— Big Knick Energy (@BigKnickEnergy_) February 6, 2024

Dunk contest fall off need to be studied
— † (@HoodiHachimura) February 6, 2024

“Jaquez” and “Jacob Toppin” the dunk contest is cooked
— ‏ً (@enra6ed) February 6, 2024

Mac McClung winning with EASE
— Philly Sports Sufferer (@mccrystal_alex) February 6, 2024

What happened to the game I love.
— Victor Williams (@ThePhillyPod) February 6, 2024

Obi Toppin seeing this year’s Dunk Contest participants pic.twitter.com/hCTELma440
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) February 6, 2024

Who the hell is Jacob TOPPIN
— . (@capnyuji) February 6, 2024

Dunk Contest fans pic.twitter.com/uVCzLhBGyr
— Lost Tribe Sports (@LostTribeSports) February 7, 2024