LeBron James is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes in NBA history, yet he never took part in the league’s Slam Dunk Contest. Despite years of anticipation, the Los Angeles Lakers star never stepped onto the Dunk Contest stage, a decision he has no regrets about.
When asked whether he wished he had competed, James made it clear that it was never a priority for him. “There’s not a part of me that regrets not doing it,” he said. “Obviously, I had a couple of moments where I wanted to do it, and it just never worked out that way.”
James cited various reasons for his absence from the event, including injuries and lack of interest by the time the competition came around. The 40-year-old, still defying age with his athleticism, remains unlikely to participate in the future.
The four-time NBA champion also commented on the possibility of stars like Ja Morant, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Zach LaVine entering the Dunk Contest. “If those guys do it, those are stars, superstars in our league,” James said. “It would be pretty cool to see it.”
This year’s NBA Dunk Contest saw Mac McClung make history by securing his third consecutive victory. The Orlando Magic G Leaguer became the first player ever to win three straight titles, cementing his place as one of the event’s all-time greats.
McClung started with a statement dunk, soaring over a Kia for a reverse slam that set the tone for the night. His consistency and creativity kept the crowd engaged, earning him perfect scores from the judges.
San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle put up a strong challenge, making it to the final round. However, McClung left no doubt with a dunk involving two basketballs, grabbing one from the rim before slamming both down.
The contest took place in the Bay Area, the same location where Vince Carter delivered his iconic “It’s over” moment in 2000. Twenty-five years later, McClung put on a performance worthy of similar acclaim.
With this victory, McClung joined an exclusive group of dunk contest legends. While some past champions have won multiple titles, none had achieved a three-peat before him.
As for James, his absence from the event remains a subject of debate among fans. Many believe he could have dominated had he participated during his prime, but he has long maintained that it was never a priority.
Even at 40, James continues to deliver highlight-reel dunks in games, proving that his leaping ability remains elite. However, with his focus on competing for another championship, a Dunk Contest appearance seems more unlikely than ever.
