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Kevin Love Facing Backlash After Mac McClung 'Black History' Message

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Sean Deveney | Last updated Feb 16, 2025 8:48 AM ET

The NBA's All-Star weekend is in full swing and one of the most popular events of the league’s midseason showcase, the dunk contest, has faced criticism in recent years. Top players do not want to compete in the contest and relative unknowns have come to populate the event.

For the third year in a row, guard Mac McClung won the NBA’s dunk contest on Saturday night, making him the only three-time winner in the history of the contest. He demurred, though, when asked about being the best dunker in the NBA’s history.

“That’s definitely not for me to say,” McClung said from the dunk contest’s champion podium. “The biggest thing is, I genuinely love this contest.”

McClung has had an odd relationship with the NBA, as a 6-foot-2 guard who has, in his entire career, appeared in just five games. He is currently with the Orlando Magic, but has mostly played for their G League team, making just one appearance for the Magic.

All of this caught the attention of NBA star big man Kevin Love, who is on the downside of his career but still let his thoughts be known on McClung’s achievements.

Love posted to his three million followers after McClung’s win: “A great way to fix All-Star Weekend’s Saturday Night - let the overwhelming majority of the NBA know that Mac McClung has won 3 straight dunk contests during Black History Month.”

A great way to fix All-Star Weekend’s Saturday Night - let the overwhelming majority of the NBA know that Mac McClung has won 3 straight dunk contests during Black History Month.
— Kevin Love (@kevinlove) February 16, 2025

Both Love and McClung are white. It was odd to see Love, a potential basketball Hall of Famer, call out McClung’s race after the win, and fans responded.

Wrote one user: "Alright unc this kinda crazy."

Another noted, "Bro, this was not funny."

And another: "Lowkey insane tweet."

And it was wondered whether Love should have gone to a separate account: "Love forgot to switch to his burner."

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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