Zion Williamson has declared his interest in competing in the NBA Dunk Contest. However, his comments came with one caveat: he is only willing to compete if and when he is named an All-Star.
“I’ve got to do my part and make the All-Star game,” Williamson said after the New Orleans Pelicans’ emphatic 139-98 win over the Toronto Raptors on Tuesday night. “If I’m in the All-Star game, I’ll do the dunk contest. If I’m not, I’m not doing it.”
"I gotta do my part and make the All-Star game. If I'm in the All-Star game, Ill do the dunk contest"
— Zion Williamson on participating in the Dunk Contest pic.twitter.com/0nmMmjB9iL
— Pelicans Film Room (@PelsFilmRoom) March 6, 2024
After a few brief revivals, the Dunk Contest was in dire straight once again this year with none of the competitors able to make a major impact.
Jaylen Brown at least added a little star power when he threw his hat in the ring, but ultimately submitted one of the weaker performances of the night.
Adding to the contest’s tortured history was LeBron declaring he would compete well over a decade ago, only to later decline.
Williamson may soon join him as another star who teased fans and then never competed. That will apparently depend on his All-Star fortunes.
The harsh truth is that Zion likely isn’t in good enough shape to realise his full potential and become an All-Star. But he is still an excellent player, with averages of 22.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game on 57.5 percent shooting from the field this season.
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