Carmelo Anthony Calls On Anthony Edwards, More Stars To Take Part in NBA Dunk Contest

With fewer stars participating in the Slam Dunk Contest in recent years, NBA legend Carmelo Anthony is ready for a change.

While he commended three-time winner Mac McClung, who primarily plays in the G League, Anthony said the event should be reserved for All-Stars.

"For me, now that I'm on NBC and we have the All-Star weekend, it's like I want to see the Ja [Morant], I want see Ant[hony] Edwards," he said on the Wave Original 7PM in Brooklyn with Carmelo Anthony (32:00 mark). "…I want see VJ Edgecombe in Philly in the dunk contest more than I want to see Cooper [Flagg] in the dunk contest…the vets ain't doing that s--t. But that's why I'm saying we got to get Ant and Ja and Zion [Williamson], those guys to be a part of the dunk contest and All-Star Saturday night in order to just jumpstart this thing.”

The Dunk Contest used to feature plenty of stars, with players like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter previously winning the event. Over the last decade or so, stars have opted not to participate to avoid getting hurt.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown participated in 2024, but his appearance didn't lead to any other stars joining him.

A lack of stars in the Dunk Contest hasn't necessarily diminished its entertainment value, with McClung pulling off some sensational dunks over the last few years.

Still, the Dunk Contest would likely be more captivating if some of the league's best dunkers like Edwards, Morant and others decided to participate.

Perhaps hearing Anthony call them out will lead to more stars opting into the event.