Brown aimed to inject new life into the event by participating this year and addressed the criticisms surrounding the competition afterward.
Despite finishing as the runner-up to reigning champion Mac McClung in the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night, Brown offered insights into why some players might hesitate to join the contest in today’s media landscape, suggesting a fear of becoming viral memes. Nonetheless, he approached the event with a mindset focused on enjoying the experience.
While Brown’s participation garnered mixed opinions due to perceived lack of complexity in some of his dunks and a technical issue preventing the live broadcast of one of his attempts, he used the platform to honor Terrence Clarke, who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2021. Brown wore Clarke’s Brewster Academy jersey before one of his dunks, emphasizing the personal connection and the intention behind his actions.
Addressing concerns about potential injuries and the slippery LED court hindering some of his planned dunks, Brown remained undeterred, aiming to restore excitement to the Dunk Contest and entertain fans, despite it being six years since the last memorable edition.