NBA Dunk Contest 2024: Jaylen Brown Has Most to Lose, Claims 2x Champion

Published 02/16/2024, 8:42 PM EST

Jaylen Brown got his flowers for accepting to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest, becoming the first All-Star in years to do so. The Boston Celtics superstar is ready to give it his all, but at the same time, 2x NBA champion Isiah Thomas believes he has the most to lose. While the Detroit Pistons icon called Brown’s competitor a “professional dunker,” he believes the 3x All-Star will be coming in well-prepared considering his credentials.

The defending champion of the Slam Dunk contest, Mac McClung, is someone many have their eyes on, including Thomas and his co-panelist Grant Hill. While both Thomas and Hill commended Brown for participating, they had different choices for a winner. After Hill backed McClung to win it again, Thomas chose Brown, albeit with a warning.

“He’s got the most to lose from this competition and he’s putting it all on the line. I do believe that when stars like him get in the competition, not only do they come prepared but they come ready to win. So I think Jaylen Brown’s going to put in a tremendous performance,” Thomas stated.

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On the other hand, Hill shared, “There’s a part of me that wants him[Brow] to win…But I think Mac McClung wins it. This is what he lives for.” McClung is indeed a tough nut to crack. He has some of the best dunk highlights, but Thomas is confident about Brown. Also, both the Detroit Pistons greats used their platform to throw light on NBA superstars not willing to take part in the dunk contest

Isiah Thomas finds modern NBA professionals’ “fear of failure” to be remarkable

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As mentioned above, it has been a long time since we saw a star like Brown take part in the dunk contest. Thomas believes that modern-day superstars are scared of losing. His co-host triggered a conversation, “It just stuns me to this day that professional athletes, that are successful as some of these guys are, have a fear of failure that is preventing them from being in this competition.”

In agreement, Thomas replied, “It’s remarkable to me also and I don’t understand. But hey, that’s the way it is these days”. The NBA has tried to bring in a lot of superstars like Brown to the dunk contest. However, all those offers were rejected. Also, this is the exact reason why Isiah Thomas and Grant Hill have high praise for Brown!

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Do you agree with the Pistons legend’s take? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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Written by:

Rohan Dharmalingam is an NBA beat writer at EssentiallySports, who extensively covers the Lakers. Be it a multimillion dollar deal breaking or a classic throwback, Rohan has covered the many themes and formats. Most notably, his coverage received a shoutout from the Purple & Gold icon Shaquille O'Neal and the rap legend 50 Cent, on Instagram.

Edited by:

Pragya Vashisth

NBA Dunk Contest 2024: Jaylen Brown Has Most to Lose, Claims 2x Champion

Isiah Thomas finds modern NBA professionals’ “fear of failure” to be remarkable

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