Sixers' Mac McClung Proves Kevin Durant and Other Doubters Wrong

Phoenix Suns forward Kevin Durant wasn’t all that thrilled to see all of the participants in this weekend’s All-Star events. 

As Durant discussed All-Star weekend, more specifically the NBA Dunk Contest, Durant made it clear he couldn’t believe that Philadelphia 76ers’ two-way guard Mac McClung was a part of the Slam Dunk Contest.

On Saturday night, McClung made sure Durant would eat those words.

It’s necessary to note that when Durant originally addressed McClung’s accepted invitation to the Dunk Contest on an episode of “The Etcs with KD,” McClung was solely a member of the Sixers’ G League affiliate, the Delaware Blue Coats.

In the week leading up to the big event, McClung inked a two-way deal with the team after the Sixers waived the rookie forward Julian Champagnie.

Either way, Durant’s point was a guy like McClung shouldn’t have been a Slam Dunk Contest participant because he hasn’t achieved enough at the NBA level. Here’s Durant’s exact quotes from when he recorded the episode.

“No disrespect to the guys that are in there now … Mac McClung, that’s crazy they are doing that,” said Durant. “No shade, but what are we doing? Mac is an outstanding athlete, but what are we doing? It used to be sacred to be a part of All-Star weekend. Last year we had G Leaguers come in and play in the rookie game. Now it’s like, what are we doing? There should be some accomplishments, like, achieve something.”

Well, McClung did achieve his shot at becoming the NBA’s Slam Dunk Champion. While the competition has been criticized lately, as last year’s showing was dubbed one of the worst in recent memory, McClung set Salt Lake City and social media on fire with his near-perfect performance on Saturday night.

Some might argue that Durant made an understandable point at the time, but what the superstar seems to fail to realize is that the NBA is just working with what they’ve got. 

The “star” dunkers in the NBA don’t seem to have an interest in participating in the event. Take Memphis Grizzlies All-Star Ja Morant, for example. When asked about being a participant in the future on Saturday during All-Star Game media availability, Morant shot down the idea of doing it. Other stars around the league tend to take the same approach.

McClung was understandably offered the opportunity because he’s made a name for himself as a special dunker on social media in the past. It turns out they made the right move, as McClung became the eighth Sixer to represent the team in the contest and the first to win it. 

McClung already took the high road with his response to Durant before the competition during a sit-down with The Athletic’s Shams Charania. Then on Saturday, he let his performance do the rest of the talking as he was named the NBA’s Slam Dunk Champion.