Stephen A. Smith blames LeBron James for NBA dunk contest

It looks like Stephen A. Smith is coming after LeBron James.

And this time, it’s for something that has nothing to do with The King.

Following the abysmal showing from the contestants at the Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star Saturday night, which was won by Heat forward Keshad Johnson, the ESPN personality let loose on James during his Monday morning segment on First Take.

Feb 14, 2026; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson (16) dunks over rapper E-40 in the slam dunk contest during the 2026 NBA All Star Saturday Night at Intuit Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

When asked about the contest, Smith didn’t hesitate to talk about how unengaged he was.

“I didn’t think about the contest,” he said. “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 star power. The reality is that we are going to bring it home to where the GOATS can get it.”

Smith then took a turn and blamed James for how far the contest has fallen in recent years, despite James never once competing.

“I’m going to blame LeBron James, Smith spouted. “Now I’ve sat here for months and I’ve applauded his greatness and all the things he had done and he has meant to the NBA, but I’ve said it and I’m going to be very consistent… the person who really is the provocateur to ruin the slam dunk contest is him.”

Stephen A. Smith at SiriusXM on Radio Row at Super Bowl LX on February 06, 2026 in San Francisco. Getty Images for SiriusXM

It’s clear that Smith has no actual evidence as to why James is to blame and this is simply one person’s opinion, but blaming James because he never competed is an atrocious take.

“He was a superstar who put on a dunk contest every night in the layup line, particularly when he knew there was momentum swelling for him to participate, and he never did. He even teased that he was going to participate one year.”

After having done so much for growing the game of basketball and being one of the top two players to ever suit up, it’s not James’ responsibility to save the dunk contest.

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