
USA Today via Reuters
Nov 6, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Washington Wizards at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports

USA Today via Reuters
Nov 6, 2022; Memphis, Tennessee, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) reacts after a basket during the second half against the Washington Wizards at FedExForum. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
The NBA All-Star weekend had both highs and lows this year. While the All-Star game had one of the lowest ratings and viewing numbers in its history, the same cannot be said for the Slam-Dunk contest. A segment of the All-Star weekend that had started to lose its hype, with players getting shamed over their performances. G-League star Mac McClung surely pumped some air back into the Slam-Dunk contest. Bigname NBA stars have often taken a backseat when participating in the Slam-Dunk contest, and NFL legend Emmanuel Acho gave his two cents regarding it.
Emmanuel Acho spoke his mind on ?Speak? on FoxSports 1. He did not hold back when talking about Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant and what it would require for him to participate in the NBA Slam-Dunk contest.
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NFL veteran tears apart Ja Morant
When asked what it would take him to participate in the dunk contest, Ja Morant said 1 Billion likes. While that may be one hell of a requirement, Emmanuel Acho was not happy with Morant?s response.

USA Today via Reuters
Jan 14, 2023; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant (12) slam dunks the ball in the second half against the Indiana Pacers at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
On the show, Acho said, ?McClung did what these superstars didn?t want to do. Ja Morant said if I got a billion likes on Twitter, I?ll get into the dunk contest. Ain?t nobody getting a billion likes? So, we gotta beg you to do what God?s gifted you to do that you?ve worked on the ability to do.?
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?We gotta sit here and start liking things just to get you into a dunk contest that you have the ability to be in, in the first place. If the superstars don?t want to do it, then Mac McClung put on your cape, put on your old high school jersey, and save the day,? added Acho.
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The NFL veteran also brought up the 2016 dunk contest that featured the likes of Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon. Acho mentioned that this was undoubtedly the best dunk contest since then.?
He also touched on how Zion Williamson and Ja Morant did not want to participate. So, someone had to step up, and Mac McClung did that.
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In the past, LeBron James has received a lot of heat for not participating in the Slam Dunk contest, leading to other stars following in his footsteps and refraining from participating in it as well.
But for this year?s contest, Mac McClung surely resurrected the contest and hopefully gets invited the next year as well.
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