The NBA all-star weekend used to be a time when we got to see the games best compete in one arena.
But, that is no longer the case.
This past weekend the all-star festivities in Utah left a lot to be desired.
One contest in particular that has been crushed through the years is the Slam Dunk contest.
The stars simply do not want to participate.
We have not seen an all-star caliber player in the dunk contest since Zach Lavine in 2016.
This year the four contests were players most casual fans have never heard of.
Mac McClung, Jericho Sims, Trey Murphy III, and K.J. Martin were the participants this year.
Even though McClung put on a show and eventually won the contest, Stephen A Smith still believes the contest is ruined.
That is because LeBron James refused to participate in the earlier years of his career.
"[LeBron] has ruined the slam dunk contest."
—@stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/n8bDMM4XCP
— First Take (@FirstTake) February 20, 2023
We have seen legends like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan in the dunk contest, but no James.
The lack of star power in the dunk contest is a large reason why it has fallen off in recent years.
James has always been seen as one of the best in-game dunkers in the league.
He has a long highlight reel of some of the best dunks you will see in a game.
Even at the age of 38, James was throwing down dunk after dunk in the all-star game Sunday night.
But, never getting him to do the dunk contest was a miss by the NBA and James.
Once James never committed to doing it, all of the other stars in the league followed.
That is why the contest has fallen off of late.
But, all we need to see is one star take the stage, and maybe the contest can be brought back to relevancy.
NEXT: Donovan Mitchell Brought His Talent Back To Utah On Sunday
