2 Recent dunks prove Ja Morant could save the NBA Slam Dunk Contest

NBA All-Star weekend is just a few weeks away, and aside from the game itself, the most popular event is the Slam Dunk Contest. Unfortunately, the Dunk Contest has become a polarizing event in recent years with a number of lackluster showings, especially last year’s. However, the NBA could restore interest in the Dunk Contest by getting Memphis Grizzlies superstar Ja Morant to enter.

In just the past 10 days, Morant has thrown down two vicious dunks that has blown up Twitter. The first was on San Antonio Spurs center Jakob Poeltl, who apparently is on Morant’s list of enemies. Morant has dunked all over Poeltl before, and their most recent encounter on January 9th resulted in another Morant poster and another incredible highlight.

He followed that stunning slam up with what could very well be the dunk of the year on Indiana Pacers center Jalen Smith.

https://twitter.com/TheHoopCentral/status/1614439432207368194

Ja Morant would bring the hype back to the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Those two dunks should be more than enough to get fans hyped about the possibility of Morant joining the three announced players in this year’s contest. In fact, he could potentially save the Dunk Contest, which has largely been written off as overrated. As a Dunk Contest apologist, I can admit that while there have been plenty of great dunk contests in recent years, there have been quite a few duds too.

That is partly due to an overreliance on gimmicks. I mean, c’mon! No one wants to see someone dunk from just inside the three-throw line for the 25th time in the event’s history. Nor should we see people dunking over other people; Aaron Gordon and Josh Smith aside, it’s pretty repetitive.

Rant over, but the biggest issue with the Dunk Contest is that the NBA has often failed to secure its best players for the event. Sure, there have been players who participated in the event and went on to become stars, but very few actual stars.

Lebron James never competed (there’s still hope!). Neither have Giannis Antetokounmpo nor Zion Williamson, who unfortunately seems to be injured whenever the event comes around. Convincing Morant to enter the mix could give this year’s event some much-needed star power, especially after the NBA announced the first-ever NBA G League competitor.

Overall, Morant’s recent viral slams prove that he could be the savior the Dunk Contest needs. However, it remains to be seen whether he’ll ever actually participate in one.