Knicks come up empty at All-Star Weekend, G League’s Mac McClung places on present at Dunk Contest

The Knicks got here up empty on All-Star Saturday night time.

Jericho Sims and Julius Randle had been eradicated within the first rounds of the Slam Dunk and 3-point contests, respectively. Sims, the hovering heart, accomplished two comparable dunks and couldn’t beat the 2 finalists, Mac McClung and Trey Murphy III.

McClung, the first-ever G Leaguer within the contest, received the title and stole the present with three excellent 50s.

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“Mac McClung has saved the dunk contest,” TNT analyst Reggie Miller stated on the printed.

Along with his first dunk, Sims threw an alley–oop off the backboard and jumped so excessive that half of each his arms went into the rim. Sims held himself up on the basket by his elbows. He scored 47.6, which was the second-highest rating of the primary spherical of dunks. His subsequent try was once more hanging off the rim by his elbow, this time opening a letter connected to the online that learn ‘50.’ The judges gave it a 47.8.

McClung, the previous Georgetown Hoya and first G Leaguer ever within the occasion, set the tone with a 50 along with his first dunk. The guard grabbed the ball off the top of a prop participant — who was sitting on the shoulders of one other prop participant — and touched it off the backboard earlier than the jam.

Sims was making an attempt to be the primary heart to win the competition since Dwight Howard in 2008.

The five-person choose panel included Karl Malone, the previous Jazz star who has largely been absent from the general public eye after retirement. Malone has been adopted by allegations that he as soon as fathered a son with a 13-year-old lady, which made his Saturday look controversial.

Sims was a late addition, like his teammate Randle within the 3-point contest efficiency, after Portland’s Shaedon Sharpe pulled out. Sims was defending the Knicks’ title after Obi Toppin’s victory final 12 months in a forgettable competitors. (Toppin was invited once more this 12 months however declined showing in a third straight dunk contest look).

Sims, 24, a second-round choose in 2021, has been the Knicks beginning heart since a fractured thumb sidelined MItchell Robinson.

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At 6-foot-10 inches, Sims recorded the third-highest vertical within the historical past of the NBA mix. He stated his total head can clear the rim when he jumps. Sims’ candidacy picked up steam after he was endorsed by Ja Morant, the high-flying guard who has refused to enter the competition.

Within the 3-point contest, Randle couldn’t rise above the low expectations and was eradicated within the first spherical with simply 13 factors, the second-worst within the eight-man subject.

Damian Lillard received the title in his third try on the 3-point contest.

Randle was the longshot within the contest as an damage alternative for Portland’s Anfernee Simons, who sprained his ankle. He entered with the worst 3-point proportion of the sector this season and little or no apply off the racks.

“I didn’t discover out [I was in the contest] till after the Atlanta sport [on Wednesday],” Randle stated. “They requested me, I stated, why not? Have enjoyable with it. I practiced as soon as. I practiced one time [Friday]. And we’ll see the way it goes.”

It didn’t go properly. Rande missed badly on a pair and ran out of time earlier than the ultimate shot, leaving his son Kyden distraught within the stands.

The Knicks have by no means had a 3-point champion regardless of 9 entries courting again to Trent Tucker within the first contest in 1986. In reality, no Knick has completed above fourth.

They’ve had extra success within the dunk contest with 5 champions [Nate Robinson three times], Kenny Walker and Toppin.

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Adam Silver reiterated the NBA is not going to intrude or try to forestall James Dolan from utilizing facial recognition expertise to establish and ban followers from MSG.