When Dwight Howard dunked on a 12-foot rim last week, he marched over to LeBron and taunted the man he’d eventually beat in the playoffs. LeBron has always stated that he has nothing to lose, or gain for that matter, by competing in the All-Star Weekend sideshow. So when he threw his name in to the ring at last year’s even saying that he would compete, there was major reason for us to get excited.

Until he pulled his name out of the ring.

The Slam Dunk competition is the only event where players are not forced to play after a decision has bee made by either fans, officials, players, coaches, or any combination of those just listed. So LeBron can’t be forced in to competition. In fact, nobody can. Which remains a massive disappointment to NBA basketball betting fans who would love to see him rocking the rim at Jerry Jones’s Cowboys Stadium the weekend of Valentine’s Day.

LeBron has been rumored to be scared of injury in the dunk contest, but that seems preposterous. I can’t remember anyone doing massive physical harm to themselves during the dunk contest. So what is it? Does he not want to lose? I’ve been confused by this for years, and was amped to see him participate in this season’s event so when he suddenly dropped out I was left scratching my head as to why.

It’s not like a poor showing in the dunk contest has ever condemned an NBA player. In fact it’s made careers, like in 2000 when Vince Carter put together the greatest Slam Dunk Competition highlight reel of all-time. Other greats like Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan, Dominique and modern-era stars like Dwight Howard have also participated. Sometimes they lost, and sometimes they won. But the crowd never lampooned them for trying.


If anything the Dunk Contest has been a place for unknown guys to breakout. Even Carter’s dunktastic display in 2000 was considered a “coming out party”. For lesser known players like Desmond Mason, Fred Jones, Gerald Green and Jason Richardson, becoming the dunk champion is probably the highlight of their career.

What’s even stranger about LeBron’s hesitance to participate is his desire to be entrenched in history as one of the greatest and most important sports figures of all time. He’ll have to win multiple championships before that starts happening, but there’s nothing wrong with putting together an all-universe reel of spectacular dunks.

Michael Jordan immortalized himself in the dunk contest, as did the aforementioned Carter. Guys like ‘Nique, Spudd and Isiah Rider will always be remembered for memorable showings in the dunk contest. There is a possibility that LeBron is less scared about losing or being hurt, than he is terrified of not doing something completely memorable.

That being said, winners take risks and losers play it safe.

Instead of hoping for LeBron, NBA fans will be treated to a showing of some pretty off-the-chart dunkers instead. Gerald Wallace of the Bobcats will be back after placing second in 2002. The explosive Shannon Browne of the Lakers will be entering his first fray in to the contest. Two-time defending champion Nate Robinson of the Knicks will also take part in the festivities. The fourth and final spot will go to the winner of a dunk-off between Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and the Clippers’ Eric Gordon. Excuse me for not being all that excited.

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