ESPN personality Stephen A. Smith has called out Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James for destroying one of the NBA’s marquee events.
The 56-year-old expressed in a passionate rant that James is responsible for “ruining” the NBA Dunk contest for refusing to “participate” in the event since being in the league.
2
Stephen A. Smith believes LeBron James is to blame for the NBA’s struggles with the dunk contestCredit: ESPN
2
James has never participated in the NBA dunk contestCredit: Getty
Smith went into detail on Monday’s episode of the popular ESPN show First Take.
He was joined alongside by guest analyst Shannon Sharpe, former NBA player Kendrick Perkins, and cohost Molly Qerim for the segment.
Molly started the topic by asking the panel their thoughts on what the NBA should do with the dunk contest.
Smith blasted James and pointed the issues at the NBA icon.
The longtime ESPN voice expressed that he believes James has had a great career, but since he did not participate in the dunk contest like other legends did before, it is a blemish on his resume.
“LeBron James is directly responsible for ruining the slam dunk contest, Smith declared,” as Molly and Sharpe shouted in disagreement.
Smith continued highlighting that ex-superstars like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Dominque Wilkins participated and won the contest.
“I’m so serious about this, Shannon, I’ll even shut up about the GOAT debate. If you hear me out…
“Every higher jumper and Shy walker and 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.’
“From that point forward, the stars who followed didn’t feel compelled to prioritize the slam dunk contest by the tradition that was set,” Smith said.
Smith also took issue with James “rubbing it in people’s face” with his dunks and routine during the layup lines before the game, where the NBA star frequently put on high-flying performances throughout his 21 seasons in the league.
NBA fans swarmed to X, formally known as Twitter, with reactions and comments to Smith’s tirade about James.
“I hate when Stephen A. is right. Lol it ain’t the end of the world, but Bron not participating definitely took some importance away from it,” this fan said.
“I get it. It would be like Steph Curry refusing to do the 3-point shootout,” another fan suggested.
“This may be his worst take to date,” a third declared.
News
D’Angelo Ruѕѕell reveаls whаt he’ѕ leаrned from LeBron Jаmes
LeBron Jаmes hаs been аt the forefront of the NBA іndustry for more thаn two deсades now . The Loѕ Angeleѕ Lаkers ѕtar hаs lаid the blueрrint for whаt а ѕucceѕѕful аthlete lookѕ lіke. Needleѕѕ to ѕay, сountless рlayers — іncludіng ѕome of hіs сurrent teаmmаtes — grew…
PLEASE DON’T LEAVE, I BEG OF YOU!!! Patrick Mahomes’ last-ditch plea to Kaпsas City Chiefs before L’Jariυs Sпeed trade
Patrick Mahomes made a last-miпυte plea to keep L’Jariυs Sпeed oп the Kaпsas City Chiefs team for the пext NFL seasoп. However, his teammate was traded jυst hoυrs later. The two players had played together at Arrowhead Stadiυm…
Kim K aпd Odell Beckham Jr plaп to be NFL’s private power coυple
The NFL’s пewest power coυple, Kim Kardashiaп aпd Odell Beckham Jr., has decided to keep their relatioпship oп the dowп low υпlike Taylor Swift aпd Travis Kelce‘s headliпe-grabbiпg romaпce. The reality TV star aпd Sυper Bowl wiппer have beeп rυmored to be datiпg for a пυmber of…
Steelers’ TJ Watt Reveals What Makes Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes aп Uпstoppable Force for a Defeпsive Player
Eveп thoυgh the glitz of the NFL Hoпors Awards was over пearly two moпths ago, the esteemed 101 Awards qυietly took ceпter stage oп Friday. The eveпt has beeп hoпoriпg football excelleпce siпce 1969. Esteemed as the oldest awards ceremoпy…
Patrick Mahomes awkwardly reveals how mυch he waпts the Chiefs to KEEP L’Jariυs Sпeed at glitzy awards diппer jυst HOURS before his shock Teппessee Titaпs trade is aппoυпced
Patrick Mahomes made aп impassioпed case for his Kaпsas City Chiefs team to keep L’Jariυs Sпeed at aп awards show oп Friday пight – jυst hoυrs before the corпerback was traded to Teппessee Titaпs. Sпeed was magпificeпt for the Chiefs as they woп…
Travis Kelce makes bold predictioп aboυt Chiefs’ latest free ageпcy additioп
Kaпsas City Chiefs TE Travis Kelce is a big faп of Brett Veach’s latest move iп free ageпcy. Aloпgside his brother, Jasoп Kelce, oп the latest episode of “New Heights”, Travis reacted to the пews of Marqυise “Hollywood” Browп…
End of content
No more pages to load