NBA All-Star Weekend received a mix of feedback from fans on social media, especially regarding the Slam Dunk Contest on Saturday night, which many felt lacked excitement.
It’s pretty clear that the highlight event before the All-Star Game isn’t quite what it used to be, and this year’s rendition, held at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, was no exception.
The contest was won by Keshad Johnson from the Miami Heat, but the overall show didn’t impress the audience or social media users.
On ESPN’s “First Take,” Stephen A. Smith brought attention to the fact that LeBron James, a prominent figure in basketball, was not participating. Smith, who is usually full of praise for James, shifted some blame onto him for the contest’s lackluster performances.
“I’m going to blame LeBron James,” he stated during the segment. “I’ve admired his greatness, but it’s clear…he’s the real reason the slam dunk contest isn’t what it should be.” While he didn’t provide any strong evidence for this claim, he suggested that the absence of such a high-profile player diminishes the appeal of the event.
“He was a superstar who could have made every warm-up dunk feel like a show,” he argued. “Yet he never committed, despite teasing us with the possibility of competing.” It seems Smith might be hinting that James’s withdrawal has led to other star players sitting out as well, which has taken the thrill out of the contest.
Gone are the days of electric dunk battles featuring notable names like Zach Levine and Aaron Gordon.
Currently, Mac McClung, on a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls, has drawn attention for his impressive dunks, which overshadow his other skills. He enjoyed significant success from 2023 to 2025.
Saturday’s lineup also included players like Jackson Hayes from the Lakers, Carter Bryant from the Spurs, and Jace Richardson from the Magic, who is the son of two-time dunk contest champion Jason Richardson.
In the aftermath, one contestant commented, “I wasn’t thinking about the contest,” directing his praise to Keshad Johnson for his victory. However, he also reflected that without star power, the event lacked excitement, noting, “We all know it wasn’t great. We need to bring this back to a place where the legends can shine.”
James isn’t the only star who could elevate this event, yet it seems the dunk contest has changed from a competition featuring legends to one where lesser-known players are trying to establish their presence in the league.
The last major NBA All-Star to take home the trophy was Donovan Mitchell when he won as a member of the Utah Jazz back in 2018.
