LeBron James worked out with Indiana Pacers forward Obi Toppin ahead of the start of Team USA’s training camp for Paris 2024. James and Toppin had a dunk contest with each other after their practice, as James clearly looked to be a step behind the much younger and explosive Toppin.
LeBron opened the contest up with a one-handed 360, which led to Toppin responding with a self-alley he threw off the wall behind the rim. James would pull off many conventional one-handed dunks as Toppin pulled out a windmill dunk along with a few more 360s, prompting LeBron to remark that he’s ‘too old for this.’
LeBron James getting ready for Team USA 🇺🇸
via ChrisJohnsonHoops IG pic.twitter.com/Mr3knSJMki
— 🦉 Lakers Vino (@VinoUncorked) June 24, 2024
James would have been a dunk contest phenom in his prime if he ever participated, but LBJ always made sure his name wasn’t included in the pool of participants. Nonetheless, we’ve seen plenty of ferocious in-game jams from James that make it clear he is among the greatest in-game dunkers the game has ever seen.
If Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant had the fadeaway jumper while Kareem Abdul-Jabbar had the skyhook, James’ most iconic move on the court would likely be a dunk given how he used to attack the rim as a younger player. He can still dunk, but James is a far more complete shooter nowadays to offset his declining physical tools.
James averaged 25.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists last season, being named to his 20th consecutive All-NBA team, which is a record.
Stephen A. Smith Believes LeBron James Ruined The Slam Dunk Contest
LeBron James’ dunking prowess never being display during the NBA All-Star Weekend is something that has irked media executives and personalities for seasons. ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith attacked James after another year of disappointing names being announced for the dunk contest, while fans wait for LeBron to suit up.
“LeBron James is directly responsible for ruining the slam dunk contest… The slam dunk contest, from 1985 to 1997, five of the 13 contests were won by future Hall of Famers… Every high-jumper, skywalker, and above-the-rim talent, salivated for the opportunity to participate in the dunk contest. It stopped when LeBron said I’m not doing it… There is no one who knows basketball that would refute what I am saying. LeBron James’s refusal to participate was the beginning and the spark plug of its demise. Period! There is no one who can dispute that.”
LeBron will have to sit and tolerate listening to such takes about his career even after he retires, which is one of the curses that comes with being as accomplished in your field as James is in basketball. Stephen A. often finds himself ignored in the ears of NBA players, given recent rants about Kawhi Leonard being received poorly by not only the fans but also the players and organizations.
The NBA should fix the format of the dunk contest and introduce transparency to voting to revitalize interest in the event.
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