You’re not surprised, are you? Did you really think that Lebron would stick to his word and participate in the dunk contest? Not a chance.
Monday’s announcement will reveal the three dunkers assured of being in the main contest. According to Howard, who has been talking with James, don’t hold your breath waiting for the participation of Cleveland’s superstar, who vowed last year to dunk for the first time but since has been wavering.
“Me and him are talking,” Howard said. “I don’t know if he wants to do it. We do a lot of dunking during the season so those dunk contests take a lot out of you. … I would love to see him get in one. But I doubt he does. I don’t think he’s going to do it.”
Howard gets a pass here, because unlike Lebron, he’s actually participated in the dunk contest before – three times, as a matter of fact. But of course Lebron isn’t going to enter, even though he ran his mouth and vowed to do so last season.
And I don’t buy the whole “it takes a lot out of you” bullshit. For the Home Run Derby, maybe, maybe, I can understand not wanting to participate since the contest can apparently mess up a player’s swing (also prbably bullshit, but whatever), but the dunk contest is a few slam dunks. That’s too much for these guys? I guarantee they spend a shitload more energy banging groupies than they would from throwing down a few dunks in a contest.
So no, I’m not the least bit surprised that Lebron is bailing out. He’s under no obligation to participate, but don’t run your mouth about entering so that people start getting excited and then later decide you’re too cool for school. Because I got news for you, Walter Cronkite: you aren’t.
