The Slam Dunk Contest was never just about the types of dunks being performed. It was about who was dunking. The excitement, the energy, and the cultural significance of the contest have always been tied to the players participating. Legends like Julius Erving, Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and Kobe Bryant helped shape the contest into a spectacle. However, in recent years, superstar participation has declined. The NBA has struggled to uphold its traditions, and the dunk contest has lost its prestige. Restoring its status requires bringing back the league’s biggest names to honor the legacy of the event.