Stephen A. Smith Blames LeBron James for ‘Erosion’ of Slam Dunk Contest — He’s Never Competed In — During Fiery Rant
Stephen A. Smith blamed Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James for the “erosion” of the Slam Dunk Contest in a heated rant about NBA All-Star Weekend.
With the conclusion of the revamped NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, the NBA finished up what many considered to be another disappointing All-Star Weekend. All-Star Saturday Night included the Skills Challenge, the Three-Point Contest, and the Slam Dunk Contest, all of which were mostly uneventful. In fact, arguably the most talked about event from Saturday night was when San Antonio Spurs stars Victor Wembanyama and Chris Paul were disqualified from the Skills Challenge for trying to exploit a loophole.
This year, the All-Star Game got yet another new format. Instead of two teams competing against one another, four teams were competing in games to 40. It was essentially a pick-up basketball tournament consisting of teams drafted by Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley, and WNBA legend Candace Parker. The fourth team was the winner of Friday’s Rising Stars Challenge.
Unfortunately for the NBA, Sunday’s games got off to an unfortunate start. Before play even began, James — annually one of the league’s highest vote-getters for the game — announced that he was a late scratch and would not be competing due to an injury.
On Monday’s episode of First Take, Smith went off on James for waiting until the last minute to sit out of the game when another player could have taken his place. He also reiterated his stance that James ruined the Dunk Contest by never competing in it.
“You’re damn right LeBron was selfish!” Smith said to Shannon Sharpe. “You’re damn right he was! I mean, there’s no way around this! You know, you’re gonna sit up there and announce before the game, where [NBA commissioner] Adam Silver doesn’t even have time to give a replacement — and again, giving props to Draymond [Green], Jalen Rose, Vince Carter. All three of them pointed that out.” He added:
They said the same exact thing the minute it was discovered that LeBron James had announced that he wouldn’t be available. Yo, you could have let people know earlier. There would have been time for a roster spot to be filled. There’s some deserving all-stars; and I love the fact, Shannon, that you brought up Norman Powell because that would have been my selection. That brother has been balling for the Clippers all year long. What a special, special season he has had.
You’re LeBron James. And listen, like I said before, we know how great he is. We know he’s on the Mount Rushmore. We know the championships, the MVPs, you know, the fact that he never cheats the game, that he answers the call; but this brings up a couple of things that he has done that has cheated the game.
I personally hold LeBron James responsible for messing up the Slam Dunk Contest, and we’ll get into that later. He is directly responsible for the erosion of the Slam Dunk Contest over the last several years. There’s no way around it! And I don’t give a damn, I don’t care who says otherwise. If you’re being fair and you’re being honest, that’s on him.
Throughout his physical prime, James regularly did highlight-worthy dunks in games. Naturally, fans wondered if he’d ever put his skills to the test in the Slam Dunk Contest. Although he teased doing it in the past, that ship has seemingly sailed for the 40-year-old. Smith believes that decision has led to other high-profile stars choosing not to participate.
Watch above via ESPN
