LeBron James has never participated in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest throughout his 22-year career, and he has no regrets about it.
“There’s no part of me that has regrets about not doing it,” James told reporters on Sunday, as quoted in an article by Zach Bachar on Bleacher Report.
Despite delivering countless high-flying dunks in games, the Los Angeles Lakers superstar never took part in the All-Star Weekend contest.
He teased participation several times, including a public announcement in 2009 that he would join the next year’s competition. However, he ultimately withdrew.
In 2018, James admitted he had seriously considered entering the dunk contest multiple times, particularly in the 2005-06 season. However, minor injuries prevented him from competing, according to NBA insider Chris Haynes.
With 2,236 career dunks, James has proven his ability to electrify crowds, but in recent years, top stars have often skipped the contest.
The 2025 edition still delivered plenty of excitement, featuring dazzling performances from G League guard Mac McClung and San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle.
The event even sparked interest from other NBA stars, with Ja Morant and Giannis Antetokounmpo hinting at possible participation in 2026.
As for James, his focus remains on leading the Lakers to their fifth playoff appearance in six years. The league’s all-time leading scorer is averaging 24.3 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game this season.
The post LeBron James has no regrets about skipping Slam Dunk Contest first appeared on Fastbreak.
0 comments: