Magic’s dunk champion Mac McClung jumped a car; NBA All-Star Weekend jumped the shark | Commentary

Running off at the typewriter ...First things first: Much respect and major admiration to Orlando Magic G-Leaguer Mac McClungs unprecedented third straight victory in the NBA All-Star Game Dunk Contest a few nights ago.

It is a testament to Macs incredible athleticism, creativity and his jaw-dropping jams including jumping over a car before executing an amazing reverse flush.However, while McClung deserves a ton of credit, his dominance of the Dunk Contest reveals an embarrassing truth about the NBA: The leagues elite players athletes who make upward of $50 million a year have abandoned the event and, by extension, their responsibility to elevate their sport.The Dunk Contest used to be the NBAs ultimate show of athleticism and acrobatics with great players such as Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Dwight Howard, Vince Carter and Dominique Wilkins on display.

These days, the Dunk Contest has been left in the hands of no-names and G-League players like McClung.In todays load-management culture, its all part of the NBAs growing image problem whereby fans are starting to believe that the leagues stars have become fat and happy and dont give a damn about playing hard and giving the audience its moneys worth.Its no wonder that All-Star Weekend has become unwatchable and was panned universally by fans and media alike.

How telling was it that the rain-delayed Daytona 500 had 2 million more TV viewers than the NBA All-Star Game with its silly new mini-game format endlessly interrupted by live music, stand-up comedy and an 18-minute break to pay tribute to TNTs Inside the NBA?And how telling was it that on the same night NBA stars once again sat out the Dunk Contest, NHL All-Stars from the USA and Canada were leaving their blood, sweat, tears and teeth on the ice while playing a riveting game in the leagues 4 Nations Face-Off event?The NBAs stars should take a page from the legends of the past and realize that they dont just owe it to themselves to entertain their fans; fhey owe it to the game.Its time for these pampered players to step up and show some stewardship for their sport, just as those before them did.Otherwise, fans will keep tuning out and tuning into sports where the stars actually care and put legacy over leisure.

...Short stuff: Count me as one of those who actually agrees with UCFs controversial new policy for season-ticket holders in which the school gives more priority and perks to fans who actually attend games over those fans who frequently sell their season tickets on the secondary market? While the messaging in the email UCF sent out to some fans earlier this week was certainly ham-handed, the intent of the policy is justified.

UCF targeted season-ticket holders if they sold or transferred at least 70% of their tickets during the season.

Its not like UCF revoked anybodys season-ticket privileges; the school simply let everybody know that, in the future, fans who actually use their tickets will get seating priority over fans who mostly resell their tickets on the secondary market.

I say thats how it should be! Why should fans who sell their tickets for a profit get the same priority as fans who show up and attend the games on a regular basis? ...Kudos to William Byron for becoming just the fifth driver in history to win back-to-back Daytona 500s, but if he wants to truly be accepted by grassroots NASCAR fans, he has to start going by Billy Byron instead of William Byron.

William Byron sounds like a yacht racer or a polo player; Billy Byron sounds like a good ol boy who not only drives the wheels off a stock car but can change a transmission with one hand while holding a Natty Light in the other.

...

Did you see where President Trump is banning Associated Press reporters from news conferences until the outlet goes along with his renaming of the Gulf of Mexico in its reports? Coming soon: Trump bans Orlando Sentinel reporters until they go along with his proposed new name for Lake Apopka Lake MAGA.

Just kidding, Mr.

President, please dont exile me to the Kamala Harris speech-writing team.

...I guess we shouldnt be surprised that BYU beat Kansas by 34 points earlier this week tied for the worst loss in Bill Selfs tenure as a coach.

Memo to Coach Self: See what happens when other teams can buy players, too! ...

But, seriously, with three of the sports most traditional powers Kansas, Kentucky and North Carolina essentially being .500 teams in their own conferences, its becoming clear that the transfer portal and NIL have had a much bigger impact on college basketball than college football.

...

An economist at Indiana University Columbus interviewed by the Indianapolis Star recently calculated that Caitlin Clark was responsible for $36 million in economic impact to the city of Indianapolis and almost 27% of the WNBAs economic activity for the 2024 season, including attendance, merchandise sales and television.

Meanwhile, Clarks WNBA salary for the coming season will be about $78,000.

Translation: She is the biggest bargain since the Costco Hot Dog Combo.

...Last word: In the wake of a crash-marred ending to Sundays Daytona 500, let us never forget the famous words of the late, great Cale Yarborough: Driving a stock car is like dancing with a chainsaw..

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