For a while now, NBA All-Star weekend hasn’t had that same touch or feel it used to have. Fans are calling the games boring, as players aren’t taking it as seriously as they did in the 80s, 90s, and earlier 2000s. The conversation around changes to All-Star weekend comes up every year with former players, fans, and members of the media trying to come up with a new way to make things exciting.
Recently retired NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony spoke on his show, 7PM in Brooklyn, on how he would improve the All-Star festivities. Melo went on to talk about how he feels that only the All-Stars should be participating in events like the skills competition, three-point shootout, and dunk contest. He went to pitch the idea of Zion Williamson, Ja Morant, and Anthony Edwards participating in the dunk contest, saying, “I'm gonna do what I gotta do to get those guys [in the dunk contest]”
The idea of Williamson being in the dunk contest isn’t a new one, and having someone like Melo pitch the idea may reignite excitement in the eyes of New Orleans Pelicans fans. We must pump the brakes on the thought of the 26-year-old superstar throwing down slams during All-Star weekend, as the time for that has passed.
Obviously, seeing Williamson in a slam dunk contest would be awesome and would make Z the first Pelican to participate since Trey Murphy in 2023. This team has way bigger goals now than they did earlier in his career.
The focus should be winning in the postseason, not trophies
Now, if Zion was still in year 2, year 3, sure go for it, go create some highlights and unforgettable moments. But now, in 2025-26, the focus with the team Joe Dumars has surrounded him with should be winning and competing in the postseason, which is something I think Zion is well aware of.
Most of the discussions surrounding Williamson this offseason have been about him developing as a leader. Part of leadership is having an understanding of everyone on the team's role, value, and importance. He has to understand that he is the most important player on this team, and the difference between this group being a 30-win team and a 45-50-win team is based on his playing and being healthy.
His body already takes enough of a beating because of how much physicality he plays with. Meaning if he were to participate in a dunk contest, he would be putting more strain on his body during the only time he had to recharge and rest during the season.