The NBA Slam Dunk Contest is so, so far away from its glory days.
This year won’t even include the three-time champion Mac McClung, who while mostly a G League player at least brought some serious flare to his dunks.
The quartet named this year is just miserable, really. No name value, and not even a ton of known dunking expertise.
The Los Angeles Lakers‘ center, Jaxson Hayes, is the only guy with more than 15 career NBA dunks. Hayes has 583, and he’ll have the odd big-guy effect working, although he did go between his legs for a fastbreak dunk this season, so he might have a repertoire.
MORE: Giannis Antetokounmpo’s legacy doesn’t change despite messy trade rumors
Keshad Johnson has 15 dunks in his NBA career after being undrafted and signed by the Miami Heat.
Carter Bryant was a high-profile draft pick by the San Antonio Spurs this season but has just six dunks.
Jase Richardson is another rookie, from the Orlando Magic. He’s got four dunks.
MORE: ‘Worst shooting form of all time’ draws comparisons to Lonzo Ball, Shawn Marion
Richardson is the son of the legendary dunker Jason Richardson, except the high-flyer gene seemed to miss his son. No one would’ve expected Jase to be in a dunk contest.
At one point, Pistons center Jalen Duren was slated to be in the field, which would’ve at least added a guy who’s having a majorly impressive season.
Instead, this is one of the least exciting dunk contest fields ever.
At this point, it’s not even clear what the NBA could do to save what used to be such a marquee event.
