The Slam Dunk Contest Should Be Discontinued! US Media Criticizes Its Dimming Star Power and Loss of Appeal: Time to Introduce a 1v1 Duel

On February 17th Beijing time, ClutchPoints wrote about the All-Star Slam Dunk Contest, arguing that it’s time to discontinue the event. They further recommended that the NBA introduce a 1v1 duel competition. Here is the detailed breakdown—

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has traditionally been a centerpiece of All-Star Weekend. As kids, it was the event we eagerly anticipated; at one point, it was the most searched NBA content on video platforms—fans loved reliving jaw-dropping moments from Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, Zach LaVine, Aaron Gordon, and others. Not long ago, the contest still held significant weight.

But now, the Slam Dunk Contest only prompts everyone to ask: “Is there really a need to keep holding this event?”

Nowadays, the contest feels like a forced program for the audience, long past its prime and completely stripped of its former charm.

If the disappointing contests in recent years signaled its decline, then this week’s event in Inglewood has sealed its fate once and for all.

Besides Jace Richards falling hard after attempting a side-rim dunk and nearly injuring himself, what else from this contest is worth remembering? Honestly, over the years, apart from Mac McClung—who has played only 10 NBA games but seems to genuinely care about the contest—who else has left any lasting impression?

Frankly, convincing players to participate in the dunk contest has been harder than pulling teeth in recent years. Especially since stars don’t support it as much as they do the three-point contest or the All-Star Game itself.

Lack of Star Power Has Ruined the Event

A few years ago, stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Donovan Mitchell still took part in the dunk contest. Although they were younger then, and the contest was originally designed for young players seeking recognition, it has now suddenly become an event no one wants to join.

Jalen Brown is the only player in recent years to enter the dunk contest as an All-Star caliber athlete. We often hear players and stars say the dunk contest needs reform, rescue, or revitalization, yet no one steps forward to be part of the solution.

It’s obvious where the problem lies. The reason dunk contests featuring Carter, Jordan, LaVine, and Gordon are still talked about is because they not only performed but embraced being the face of the event.

Nowadays, aside from G League players, no one is willing to take that role. This explains why recent dunk contest lineups have been so mediocre.

This is not disrespecting this year’s participants—Keishad Johnson, Carter Bryant, Jace Richards, and Jaxson Hayes. They gave their best and deserve applause for stepping up when so many declined.

But what reason do these players have to convince fans that this year’s contest will be different from the repeated disappointments of recent years? Bryant and Richards are rookies with almost no playing time, Hayes has mostly been a backup big man, and Johnson has played only 257 minutes in his career.

Unless you’re a die-hard fan of these four players’ teams or a hardcore basketball enthusiast, most NBA fans don’t even recognize this year’s contestants. This is a major problem that has persisted for many years.

Moreover, Hayes publicly complained after the contest, saying he’d rather vacation in Hawaii than participate in the All-Star activities in Los Angeles. When lesser-known players express this, it signals a serious issue with the event.

After all, this year’s contest left little impression—there was a lot of dancing but few real dunks, and most moves could be easily replicated by any NBA player. The event has lost its uniqueness and has become something fans watch out of nostalgia, casually cheering without real enthusiasm.

Even young stars who could easily gain endorsements and set examples for the next generation by winning are reluctant to participate. First- and second-year players who should consider it an honor refuse simply because the dunk contest is no longer what it used to be.

Vernon Carey Jr. has performed well this season for the 76ers and is a candidate for the All-Rookie team and possibly Rookie of the Year. Fans expected him to lead the dunk contest, but he clearly declined, saying simply, “I’m not doing that,” without further explanation.

Perhaps the dunk contest has truly run its course, especially since it repeats the same story every year: the event disappoints, and stars verbally promise to save it. That was the case in 2025, when Ja Morant and others hinted they might make the Inglewood contest memorable.

After Mac McClung’s three-peat, Morant, LaVine, and even Giannis expressed on social media that they could revive the contest. That kind of enthusiasm is exactly what the dunk contest needs, yet no stars participated this past weekend.

The reason the NBA All-Star skills competitions have lost appeal largely stems from the slam dunk contest’s decline. But that doesn’t mean the entire All-Star Weekend needs a complete overhaul.

The All-Star skills contests are still decent… to some extent.

In recent years, fans and media have heavily criticized All-Star Weekend, especially the Saturday night events, with some even questioning their necessity.

But just because the dunk contest is disappointing and needs change, it doesn’t mean all the fun events beloved by basketball fans worldwide should be canceled.

The NBA Three-Point Contest remains very exciting, largely because top stars and elite shooters are willing to compete. The last six champions have all been All-Star caliber players, with Damian Lillard winning three times.

Less than 24 hours after the three-point contest concluded, Stephen Curry and Lillard confirmed they will participate again in next year’s Phoenix All-Star Weekend.

If anyone doubts their commitment, these two have already started recruiting teammates: Devin Booker has agreed to join, and Curry has told Lillard he’ll bring Klay Thompson along as well.

With Lillard, Curry, Booker, and Thompson, the 2027 three-point contest is set to be the strongest lineup in history—each has won the three-point title before.

If top stars can come together for the three-point contest, why can’t they do the same for other events?

This year’s skills competitions kicked off with an exciting three-point contest, featuring a thrilling battle between Lillard, Booker, and rising star Kon Noipel. Overall, it was very entertaining with no complaints. Especially notable was Lillard winning despite a season-ending Achilles injury.

Next came the Shooting Stars event, which replaced the Skills Challenge. Though less exciting than the three-point contest, it still offered highlights thanks to the participation of legends like Allan Houston and Ron Harper. The NBA should always seize opportunities to invite legends and Hall of Famers back.

But after these two events, the slam dunk contest as the finale was a complete waste of time. The live crowd barely cheered, and both current and former stars showed almost no exaggerated reactions.

The slam dunk contest has truly lost its magic. Unless the league’s top dunkers and stars step up to save it, it’s time to let it take a break like the Skills Challenge.

This would allow the NBA to introduce a new event that fans and players have long called for: a 1v1 duel competition.

Is it time to launch a 1v1 event?

One of the NBA’s greatest strengths is its willingness to listen to players, involve them in decision-making, and improve the league. Commissioner Adam Silver and the NBA office have worked closely with the players’ union over recent seasons to enhance the All-Star Game’s entertainment and competitiveness, which is evident.

Both the NBA and its players deserve credit for making All-Star Weekend better than before.

However, there’s still room for improvement, and the problem circles back to the skills contests, with the slam dunk contest feeling especially redundant. Perhaps the dunk contest can be revived in the future, but for now, it’s time to bench it.

As for what should replace it as the All-Star Weekend’s finale, the NBA only needs to look at the women’s basketball success with the “Invincible 1v1 Duel.” In recent years, WNBA players have treated this event as seriously as regular-season games, attracting significant NBA star attention.

During the 2025 All-Star Weekend, Kevin Durant strongly supported the 1v1 event, saying the league has enough talent to make it shine.

“I think it’s hard to predict who would win,” Durant said on NBA TV. “Many players could deliver amazing performances in 1v1. It would be a cool new addition to All-Star Weekend. Let’s wait and see.”

Durant later discussed the 1v1 idea further with Draymond Green, expressing willingness to participate if the league adds the event.

This year, Celtics star Jalen Brown has been the most vocal advocate for including a 1v1 event, fully supporting making dueling a new All-Star feature.

“I actually love 1v1,” Brown said at All-Star media day. “There are a few people I want to challenge this weekend. All of them. Doncic, Alexander, Brunson, Mitchell. I want to go one-on-one with all of them. We could raise money for charity, just set it up.”

In the past two All-Star events, both Durant and Brown openly backed the 1v1 competition, and many other stars likely share this view. Could we see this new event in 2027? Perhaps the 1v1 All-Star contest will temporarily replace the slam dunk contest.

The NBA faces important decisions about All-Star Weekend, especially regarding the skills contests and the future of the slam dunk contest. Unless stars and well-known players genuinely want to participate, the event will continue to face criticism and lose respect from players and fans alike.