Ever since LeBron James was selected in 2003, fans have yearned for him to take part in the Slam Dunk Contest. Though it seems doubtful that fans will ever get to watch him compete in the competition, twenty years have passed. To everyone’s amazement, however, former NBA player Vince Carter disclosed that he, James, and two other celebrities had previously received a sizable payment to compete.

Many people consider Carter’s participation in the dunk contest to be groundbreaking. The “half-man, half-amazing” dunker defeated Steve Francis, Ricky Davis, Larry Hughes, Jerry Stackhouse, and his cousin Tracy McGrady in the 2000 dunk competition, defying gravity in the process.

The former top player for the Toronto Raptors said on “Run It Back” that the NBA had also made financial offers to James, T-Mac, and Kobe Bryant. Carter said that they were each given a $1 million prize by the league to compete in the dunk competition:

It was LeBron, T-Mac, and Kobe. That’s the other three that I can think of,” Carter said. “But guys didn’t want to do it.”

The whole NBA fan base may have been electrified if the four of them had engaged in a dunk competition. The other two were quite skilled dunkers, and two of them had won the dunk competition.The league’s best talents participate in the dunk contest, which usually excites fans and is, above all, very exciting. Even though Jaylen Brown of the Boston Celtics, an All-Star this year, took part in the game, many people were not satisfied. Some people said that Brown’s dunks weren’t exciting and were simple.

LeBron James gets blamed by NBA analyst for ruining the dunk contest

The LA Lakers player passed up the opportunity to compete in the Slam Dunk competition. Stephen A. Smith, who has never participated in the competition, yet accuses LeBron James of destroying it:”LeBron James is directly responsible for ruining the Slam Dunk Contest,” Smith said. “Everyone who had skill in above-the-rim shooting, skywalking, or high jumping lusted for the chance to participate in the Slam Dunk Contest. When LeBron James said, “I’m not doing it,” it stopped.

Smith claims that James’ decision to withdraw from the league had an impact on other players. Stars were reluctant to enter the competition, and Smith contends that it has been simpler for more recent stars to decline to enter because James declined to enter.

The only competition that James has declined to participate in is the Slam Dunk Contest. He competed in the McDonald’s All-American Slam Dunk Contest during his high school years. He emerged victorious from it, given that he was the hometown favorite.

However, if he ever chooses to take part in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest before hanging up his shoes, it also puts pressure on him to win.