National Basketball Association

Doug McDermott, the Next Slam Dunk Champion

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The slam dunk: One of the most violent, yet majestic expressions of pure athleticism. The Chicago Bulls have a long history of vicious, iconic slams from Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen to Derrick Rose and now, Doug McDermott.

Not long ago, we presented you with the 10 best dunks from the long history of the Chicago Bulls. After Saturday night, we can add McDermott to that list.

The best part of the dunk is that it happened after the whistle. The best dunk of McDermott’s entire life was televised, but it didn’t count:

He seriously skies, as if suspended in the air, for an incredible amount of time. Probably, due to the fact that he absolutely got up for that dunk. It was equal parts impressive and surprising, totally electrifying. And yes, it came after the whistle in a preseason game.

So, what do we do with this dunk? It’s too good to forget, but utterly meaningless thanks to the correct and timely reactions of the referees for that game. I have only one suggestions: The 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Contest.

Zach LaVine has owned the contest for the past two years, though there is a very good argument that he was outdunked by Aaron Gordon last year. Both players are truly incredible to watch. The Slam Dunk Contest hasn’t been this exciting in a decade or more. But there’s a problem – it’s become LaVine vs. Gordon. All other competitors have been set up as mere props for LaVine and Gordon to hurdle, much like cars and mascots.

Now, there can be another. A real contender to push the two kings of slam – McDermott. Until Saturday night in the United Center, no one thought McDermott could bring the pain. Now, pain is all that the rim knows. And this is the perfect time to interject a perfectly capable, though extremely unconventional dunk competitor.

It’s been 20 years since Brent Barry took home the title of Slam Dunk Champion. Maybe it’s time that an equally odd champion emerges again. LaVine’s already exhausted his repertoire, unless he’s got a 360 dunk from the 3-point line up his sleeve. Gordon already leaps over people dressed as dragons on Segways, snatching the ball from them while in motion. These two slam dunk Goliaths may just have flown too close to the sun.

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McDermott would be a fresh option and an unlikely champion, channeling the spirit of Barry in ’96. Honestly, it won’t happen. Before you completely write off the idea, I ask you to look inside yourself. You see it, don’t you? There’s a Doug McDermott shaped hole in your slam dunk-loving basketball heart. Let him fill it with vicious slams, let him be the Slam Dunk Champion that your head and your heart need.

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