<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- The NBA asked, and LeBron James said no. James said Monday he declined the NBA's request that he participate in the NBA's All-Star dunk contest. He will, however, be in the skills challenge. "They didn't beg or plead, I just declined," he said before the Cavaliers' game against the Charlotte Bobcats. "They asked me to do something else, so I said yes." Cleveland's All-Star forward has declined to participate in the dunk contest in all three of his seasons. He did, however, play on the sophomore team in last year's Rookie Challenge and was a starter for the East in the All-Star Game. He skipped the dunk contest his rookie year, partially because he was upset at not being picked as a reserve for the Eastern Conference's All-Star team.</div> Source I'm not surprised. He would have been exposed anyways. He just has tons of power, lift and everything else except for the most important thing in the dunk contest and that's creativity. So again, I'm not surprised one bit. Skills challenge? Meh. But oh well.
What a little girl. I guess I understand why he wouldn't participate. Getting beat by little 5'9" Nate Robinson wouldn't be good for his image. Oh well. The dunk contest is looking great already. I'm really exited about Josh Smith and Nate Robinson. As long as they don't waste one of the open spots on a "Birdman" type dunker, the event should be great.
Meh, didnt really want to see him anyways. Atleast nate will be in it, i know he could do some wack stuff for a little guy.
Dang... I wish just one year all the big guns would put their egos aside and just duke it out for the crown. Let's go back to the 10-man format where all the big name players participated.
I think Lebron should of went for it. Maybe we will never see him in a dunk contest again, I starting to think he's a game dunker not an showman.
As I said last year, I think LeBron is intimidated. That "ankle" was an awful excuse and after seeing guys like Josh Smith in action, I think it will just intimidate him more. LeBron's dunks are overrated.
He was scared J-Smoove was going to pwn him in the dunk contest. LeBron's dunks are overrated he's a great in-game dunker but he isnt flashy like other guys who should be in the Dunk Contest.
He's too popular for the dunk contest. He'd completely overshadow all the other young players. And I don't think he really cares that much about all the gimick dunks you need to win a dunk contest.
Lebron is gonna be in the skills competition this year, i heard on tv lebron give an explanation as why he wasn't going to be in the dunk comp. he said pretty much he's not much of a predetermined dunker and he just pulls off whatever he does in mid-air. So he said he wouldn't be right for the dunk contest. and also i dont think nate is confirmed yet, he just got an invitation. only j-smooth is confirmed so far.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting durvasa:</div><div class="quote_post">He'd completely overshadow all the other young players. </div> I doubt he would take the dunk contest over the younger players. He does like 1-2 dunks everytime in games and I doubt he knows any others. Some people seriously over-hype everything this guy does..
I think he knows hes not a flashy showman dunker and thats why he isnt going. Stern probably knows too but he'd rather get a ton of hype than actually have the best dunkers for the contest. LeBron would look liek a fish out of water in the contest too, hes an MVP candidate and everyone else is a fringe starter or eternal bench player.
He could've practiced some new ish. Man with all that hops and power and skill I'd think he could come up with stuff. Dunking isn't the most important thing but it would help ratings as we all know. Anyways I wish James White and Shannon Brown was in the league already. Especially James White. I think if JR is in it he may take it this time.
It`s a good thing I guess, LeBron doesn`t provide much creativity or flash to his dunking, just all power dunks.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting xclutchx:</div><div class="quote_post">I doubt he would take the dunk contest over the younger players. He does like 1-2 dunks everytime in games and I doubt he knows any others. Some people seriously over-hype everything this guy does..</div> Firstly, I didn't say he'd overshadow the others players because he'd necessarily excel in a dunk contest. Rather, his persona would overshadow the rest. I mean, it's like if Kobe entered the contest. Everyone would be talking about him and focusing on him, but he probably wouldn't have much of a chance of winning it. And I'm not over-hyping the diversity of his dunks. Honestly, I don't care about that and I think it's silly to continue to harp on it like you and so many others on this board do. LeBron James is the most exciting dunker in the NBA, in my opinion, because of the frequency, power, and height of his dunks -- plus his ability to rip through 3 or 4 defenders and get off a soaring dunk. That he can make "simple" dunks look so amazing is a testament to his athletic abilities. Dr. J had it, Jordan had it, and LeBron has it. BTW, I don't remember Jordan going for 360 dunks or windmill dunks when he had an open lane to the basket.
Not Creative? I dunno about LeBron not being creative...I saw him a few years back in that high school dunk contest sponsored by Mcdonald's i think. He threw it off the backboard in the first round and got 2nd i think. So...did he grow out of his "creativeness"??
