(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM)
The NBA’s Slam Dunk Contest isn’t what it used to be.
Year after year — with the sole exception of those epic matchups between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon — the fans take to social media to complain about the contest’s status.
Star players don’t want to partake anymore, either out of fear of injury, out of spite for the way it’s officiated, or just to avoid humiliation.
That’s why Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James is to blame for it.
Talking on First Take, the ESPN pundit reminded everyone that star players actually used to take pride in competing in that competition, with superstars like Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, and Kobe Bryant winning it at least once.
Then, as soon as LeBron made it loud and clear that he wasn’t going to participate, other stars followed in line.
“LeBron James is directly responsible for ruining the slam dunk contest,” Smith said.
“LeBron James is directly responsible for ruining the Slam Dunk Contest.”
@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/XXJf7Hth5s
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 19, 2024
This might sound like a diss to LeBron, but that’s not the case at all.
He’s set the standard for what a long and successful career is like, and he’s a leader in the league.
Truth be told, it’s tough to know that there are no star players even considering to partake in this event, up to the point where the league has had to turn to G-Leaguers to even make it possible.
At this point, perhaps it would be better to just call it off as a whole.
Hopefully, one day in the future, a superstar will look to right this wrong, lead by example, and put the word out there that the Slam Dunk Contest is officially back.
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