What was supposed to be wonderful and joyful for basketball fans around the world, the 2026 All-Star weekend failed to deliver the moments people craved.
While the actual All-Star games were tremendously well-done, the Slam Dunk contest did not ignite the same buzz. Many people criticized whether the particular event had lost its shine.
Stephen A. Smith Says LeBron James’ Absence Set the Tone for Lackluster Dunk Contest
Among the loudest voices was ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, who did not just critique the contest but also basketball’s biggest names, including LeBron James. During ESPN’s “First Take,” Smith delivered a passionate assessment of the event and its perceived shortcomings.
“I wanna applaud Keshad Johnson for winning, Pat Riley standing up and applauding him. I wanna applaud the participants, the Jaxon Hayes, the Jace Richardsons of the world, you know, I get it. But we all know it was terrible because there was no star power. And the reality is that we gonna bring it home where the goats can get it. I’m gonna blame LeBron James,” he said.
Stephen A Smith says LeBron James ruined the dunk contest after a player like Keshad Johnson won 👀
“I didn’t think about the contest. I want to applaud Keshad Johnson for winning. Pat Riley standing up and applauding him… but we all know it was terrible because there were no… pic.twitter.com/KwCnvh10PB
— Heat Central (@HeatCulture13) February 16, 2026
Smith went further, arguing that LeBron James, as a young superstar known for jaw-dropping athleticism, never stepping into the contest, set a precedent. As he put it, James, during his early Cleveland and Miami years, was among the biggest stars fans desperately wanted to see. Night after night, James delivered highlight-worthy performances. He built all that momentum, but has lost his sheen due to his lack of participation.
“Now, I’ve sat here for months, and I’ve applauded his greatness and all the things that he has done, and he has meant to the NBA. But I have said it, and I’m gonna be very, very consistent. The person who really is the provocateur to ruin the Slam Dunk contest was him (LeBron) because he was a superstar who put on a dunk contest every night in the layup line, particularly when he knew that there was momentum swelling for him to participate. And he never did. He even teased that he was going to participate one year.”
Smith wasn’t alone in his stance. Veteran analyst and an avid LeBron James hater, Skip Bayless, also voiced disappointment. He took to X, wishing that James had completed at least one dunk in this year’s Slam Dunk contest.
“LeBron James destroyed the dunk contest by not doing the dunk contest. He had so many early opportunities… Where you got young, fresh legs, you’re explosive, you’re a 6’9″, jump-out-of-the-gym leaper, a power dunker. Just do the dunk contest,” continued Bayless.
“He set the tone for the generations to come, ‘No, we don’t do the dunk contest,’” Skip added. “It has now degenerated into a Mac McClung Memorial G League dunk contest.”
Per him, instead of James, it was Victor Wembanyama who set the tone for this year’s All-Star weekend. James, now 41 and in his 23rd NBA season, has amassed virtually every accolade possible. He has four championships, four Finals MVPs, and 22 All-Star appearances. Yet the Dunk Contest remains a glaring omission on his résumé.
His longtime agent, Rich Paul, once suggested that if James had entered and won, critics would have dismissed it as rigged. Rigged or not rigged. Fans did notice James’ absence looming large over this starry weekend.
