There are not many things that Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James has not won in his NBA career. However, he has never competed in, let alone won, an NBA Slam Dunk Contest. James finally fulfilled many fans’ fantasies by taking on one of the best dunkers in the league, but the results proved he may be a few years late.
Watch LeBron vs Obi Toppin dunk contest
Each player attempted three dunks in the video, but there was one clear winner. The 2022 NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner, Toppin increased the difficulty of his jams, while King James mailed it in after the first two attempts.
“I’m too old for this,” joked James, 39, after his final dunk attempt, a simple one-handed flush. Competing against one of the league’s best dunkers who is 13 years younger was never a fair fight for LeBron. Therefore, it did not satisfy his legion of fans who always wanted to see him compete in his prime against the NBA’s best high-flyers.
“Bron getting old back in the day he would of killed Obi in a dunk contest,” wrote one of the top comments on Instagram.
“I just know that mans legs are burning,” joked another fan who felt his pain.
What is next for LeBron James?
“LOADING OLYMPICS (soon),” wrote mental fitness coach Chris Johnson on Instagram, along with video of the spontaneous dunk contest. James and Toppin will compete with Team USA at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Before USA Basketball plays its first game at the Olympics on July 28, James has a much bigger decision to sort out than which dunk he will attempt next. His deadline to opt in or out of his player option for the last year of his contract with the Lakers, worth $51.4 million, is on June 29.
Los Angeles recently hired JJ Redick, James’ friend and podcast co-host, as its new head coach, which may bolster the chance that James opts into his contract. The other key factor is the future of LeBron’s son, Bronny James, who the Lakers could select in the 2024 NBA Draft to tempt their superstar into sticking out the final year of his deal.
Regardless of where he plays next year, it’s safe to say an appearance in the NBA Dunk Contest is not in the cards.
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