Stephen A. Smith, during a recent episode of “First Take,” asserted that LeBron James bears responsibility for the decline of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest, claiming that James’ refusal to participate has diminished the event’s allure.

Smith argued that in the past, the dunk contest featured iconic appearances from Hall-of-Fame players like Michael Jordan, Dominique Wilkins, and Kobe Bryant, as well as other notable stars such as Ray Allen, Clyde Drexler, and Shawn Kemp. The contest reached new heights with Vince Carter’s legendary performance in 2000.

“LeBron James is directly responsible for ruining the slam dunk competition,” Smith told co-hosts Kendrick Perkins and Shannon Sharpe. “…every high jumper, every sky walker, every above-the-rim talent salivated for the opportunity to compete in the slam dunk contest. It stopped when LeBron James said, ‘I’m not doing it.’”

However, Smith contended that the reluctance of top NBA players, including James, to participate has led to a decline in star-studded dunk contests. While players like Zach LaVine, Donovan Mitchell, and Giannis Antetokounmpo have competed, their appearances came before they became All-Stars.

Smith pointed out that it’s been a decade since the dunk contest featured multiple All-Star participants, with the last notable event occurring in 2014 with players like John Wall, Damian Lillard, and Paul George. Smith noted that recent athletic stars like Anthony Edwards, Zion Williamson, and Ja Morant have also declined to participate, likely due to concerns about reputation and the contest’s perceived importance.

In conclusion, Smith suggested that James’ decision not to participate in the dunk contest has set a precedent for other star players, ultimately contributing to the event’s decline in prominence and star power.