The Evolution of Car-Themed Dunks in the NBA: Blake Griffin vs. Mac McClung

Introduction

The NBA Slam Dunk Contest has always been a showcase for the most creative and gravity-defying dunks in basketball history. Over the years, dunkers have continuously pushed the boundaries of what is possible, with car-themed dunks standing out as some of the most unforgettable moments in the contest’s history.

Two of the most famous car dunks came 14 years apart—Blake Griffin’s 2011 dunk and Mac McClung’s 2025 dunk. While both moments became instant classics, McClung’s dunk took the concept to a new level, proving how dunking innovation continues to evolve.

This article will analyze both dunks, compare their difficulty and execution, and explore their impact on the Slam Dunk Contest.

 Blake Griffin’s 2011 Car Dunk: A Defining Moment

The Build-Up

By the time the 2011 NBA Slam Dunk Contest arrived, Blake Griffin was already one of the league’s most electrifying young stars. Known for his powerful in-game dunks, the expectation was that he would bring something spectacular to the contest.

The Dunk Setup

• A Kia Optima was parked under the hoop.
• His Clippers teammate Baron Davis sat inside the car and lobbed a pass through the sunroof.
• Griffin sprinted, jumped over the car’s hood (about 3 feet high), caught the pass mid-air, and threw down a powerful two-handed slam.
• To enhance the spectacle, a gospel choir sang "I Believe I Can Fly", adding a dramatic touch.

Reaction and Legacy

 Instant Viral Moment: The dunk was a major highlight and helped Griffin win the contest.
 Entertainment Factor: The combination of a car, lob pass, and choir made for an unforgettable moment.
 Criticism: Many pointed out that Griffin only jumped over the hood, which was significantly lower than the full height of the car.
 Predictability: Reports surfaced before the contest that he planned to jump over a car, reducing the element of surprise.

Despite the mixed reactions, Griffin’s dunk remains one of the most memorable in contest history, often replayed in highlight reels.

 Mac McClung’s 2025 Car Dunk: Raising the Bar

The Stakes Were Even Higher

By 2025, Mac McClung had already won the previous two Slam Dunk Contests (2023 and 2024), proving himself as one of the best dunkers in history. With the pressure of a possible three-peat, expectations were sky-high.

The Dunk Setup

• A Kia sedan was once again positioned under the hoop.
• Instead of a lob pass, a person stood through the sunroof holding the ball.
• McClung took off, jumped over the entire roof of the car (approximately 5 feet high), grabbed the ball mid-air, and finished with an explosive reverse slam.

Why This Dunk Was More Difficult

 Jumping Over the Full Roof: Unlike Griffin, who cleared the hood (~3 feet), McClung cleared the entire roof (~5 feet).
 Mid-Air Ball Grab: Instead of catching a lob, he had to grab the ball while airborne, adding difficulty.
 Reverse Dunk Finish: This required incredible hang time, coordination, and power.

Reaction and Legacy

 Perfect Score (50): Judges awarded him a perfect 50, acknowledging the dunk’s extreme difficulty.
 Historic Three-Peat: The dunk helped McClung win his third straight contest, a historic achievement.
 Social Media Frenzy: Many fans and analysts instantly declared it the greatest car dunk in history.

 Side-by-Side Comparison: Which Dunk Was Better?

Final Verdict

While Griffin’s dunk was a memorable spectacle, McClung’s was objectively more difficult, creative, and technically impressive. Jumping over the entire car’s roof while executing a reverse slam required exceptional precision, power, and agility—making it one of the greatest dunks in contest history.

 What’s Next for the Slam Dunk Contest?

With McClung raising the bar yet again, the question remains: What’s next?

 Could we see a dunk over an SUV? 
 Could someone jump over two cars? 
 Could we witness a flip-dunk over a moving vehicle?

As history has shown, there are no limits to dunk creativity. The only certainty is that future contestants will need to think even bigger.

 Key Takeaways

 Blake Griffin’s 2011 dunk was a defining moment for the Slam Dunk Contest but lacked extreme difficulty.

 Mac McClung’s 2025 dunk revolutionized the car dunk concept by clearing the full roof and adding a reverse slam.

 McClung’s perfect score and three-peat victory cemented him as a contest legend.

 The evolution of dunking creativity shows how each generation takes the contest to new levels.

 Future dunks will need even greater innovation, as the bar continues to rise.

 Related Topics

• Top 10 Greatest Dunks in NBA Slam Dunk Contest History
• How Mac McClung Became the Best Dunk Contest Competitor of His Generation
• The Most Controversial Dunk Contest Wins in NBA History