This past weekend featured the NBA’s annual Slam Dunk Contest, where G-League call-up Mac McClung put on a heck of a performance that’ll be remembered for years to come. McClung, in addition to winning the dunk contest, is also the 2022 G League Rookie of the Year. Some have gone as far as to say McClung actually saved the Slam Dunk Contest. For ESPN’s own Stephen A. Smith, the dunk contest was saved from LeBron James.
Smith came away from the event very impressed by McClung, and made sure to emphasize on First Take that he is not taking credit from the young man’s stellar showing on Saturday. But he wanted to address the state of the event as a whole, and why he feels LeBron is at the root of the problem.
Smith started his argument by giving LeBron his credit for the career he’s had up to this point, and highlighting the fact that he’s now the NBA’s All-Time Leading Scorer. Then, he explained that previous All-Time greats have participated in the slam dunk contest, unlike Lebron James. Players such as the late Kobe Bryant, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady, Michael Jordan, Aaron Gordon, David Thompson, and more.
According to Smith, James’ decision to not participate in the contest has greatly influenced other players that it’s okay to do the same. That they’re following in James’ footsteps, because of the illustrious career he’s led and how prominent of a figure he is in the basketball world. Thus, by doing so, causing the value and prestige of the Slam Dunk Contest to erode over the years.
Now, Stephen A. Smith is known for having some hot takes from time to time, but it’s hard to find an issue with anything he’s said. When people today think of NBA Basketball, LeBron James is one of the first names people think of. Names that those coming up want to aspire to be. Everything LeBron does, and does not, do is under a microscope essentially. That said, this doesn’t mean that LeBron is in the wrong for not choosing to participate. It’s the man’s choice, at the end of the day, and if people decide not to do it as well then it’s not on him.
Flip the page for Stephen A. Smith explaining why LeBron ruined the Dunk contest.
