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LeBron's Absence: A Factor in Dunk Contest Decline?

2/17/2026

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Story summary
  • Stephen A. Smith argued on First Take that LeBron James's absence from the NBA Slam Dunk Contest damaged its appeal, despite lacking evidence.
  • Skip Bayless countered that while it would have been exciting for LeBron to compete, he is not responsible for the contest's downturn, noting broader factors.
  • Overall, the recent All-Star Weekend was deemed successful, with a new format that energized the event.