Following his second-place finish to Mac McClung in the Dunk Contest on Saturday, Jaylen Brown, the shooting guard for the Boston Celtics, shared his perspective on the contemporary dunk contest. Brown expressed the belief that some players are hesitant due to concerns about how their performances will be perceived on social media. Despite this, Brown aimed to inject creativity and fun into his dunks during Saturday’s event.

In his own words, Brown stated, “I think, ultimately, in this media era, some players are just afraid to get turned into a meme or whatever. I wantеԀ to come out and have fun within it, and that’s what I did.” Brown showcased creativity in his dunks, paying tribute to past Dunk Contest winners Dominique Wilkins and Dee Brown, both former Celtics players, as well as the late Terrence Clarke, who passed away in 2021 before the NBA Draft.

For his final dunk, Brown added a touch of entertainment by donning a glove on his left hand in a nod to Michael Jackson. This move might have also served as a response to critics questioning his left-hand ball-handling skills. While Brown’s dunks didn’t receive the positive reception he might have hoped for—earning boos from the crowd and limited praise on social media—he prioritized having fun in the competition.

Looking ahead, Brown is shifting his focus to more significant goals beyond winning a Dunk Contest. After participating in Sunday’s All-Star Game, he aims to contribute to the Celtics’ strong finish in the season. The team currently holds the top spot in the Eastern Conference and is gearing up for a potential run in the NBA Finals.