NBA superstars are constantly under the microscope. However, sometimes, that criticism goes a little extreme off of the deep end. For LeBron James, that has been the scenario for 2 decades since he first got “Chosen One” tattooed across his back. But, in a shocking development, he had to face an unimaginable critique. Somehow, the onus of the lackluster All-Star Weekend and the disappointing Dunk Contest fell on the 39-year-old. While Stephen A. Smith was driving that bandwagon, a former 3x All-Star doesn’t agree with him.

According to Gilbert Arenas, LeBron wasn’t the first one to not care about the event. “Stephen A. Smith says LeBron ruined the dunk contest as he never entered. Well, the superstars before them didn’t enter. Kobe [Bryant], rookie season, he had nothing to lose, he was a rookie, no one was projecting him to be who he was. When he became a superstar, he didn’t enter the dunk contest.”

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But, it wasn’t just the Los Angeles Lakers legend’s example that Arenas was using to make his case. “Tracy McGrady didn’t enter the dunk contest when he was a superstar, he wasn’t even an All-Star. Vince [Carter] won it one year, it was his second year in the NBA when he went into the dunk contest…He wasn’t a superstar.” 

The former Washington Wizards superstar’s overall point was simple. Not James, the precedence has already been in place for superstars to skip out on the Dunk Contest. As a result, the event, and the weekend overall, has lost most of its allure.

If LeBron James isn’t the problem, how to fix the All-Star Weekend?

Since the weekend came to pass, it has been a topic of discussion all around NBA forums. Stephen A. for his part came up with a unique solution for ‘fixing’ the Dunk Contest in particular. According to him, the emergence of a guy like Mac McClung shows that dunking talent exists beyond the NBA.

As a result, a city-by-city competition between local athletes, with a cash prize involved, could pave the way for the event to be more exciting. Further, players backing particular players could ensure their involvement, while superficial, at least have some engagement.

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When it comes to the All-Star game as a whole, the common consensus is the lack of true motivation hurts the competition. One possible solution floated around is the addition of monetary benefits as an incentive. However, a more popular theory suggests the winner ensures home-court advantage for his city during the playoffs.

Given the importance of the home court during a playoff series, that could, in turn, help players participate more actively in the competition. Could either of these two solutions work? What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

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