LeBron James had a chance to be the dude everybody loved. Instead he chose to go play with the Miami Heat featuring Dwyane Wade and some sucker name Bitch Posh. It's not so bad that he chose to switch teams. It's how he did it, trying to be cute on smug, braincell killing interviews with Larry King and Jim Gray.
Between his sideline boogie, indulgent commercials and grabs for off-court media attention, it has seemed like LeBron will do anything to be noticed and liked. Anything except the one thing we all want to see him do.
What should LeBron James do to save face and slow the hate? Participate in this year's slam dunk contest.
LeBron is one of the most outstanding dunkers in NBA history. His combination of size and power lead to rim rocking climaxes with more consistent fury than anyone before him. Yet he continues to shrink away from the biggest stage for all dunkers - the Slam Dunk contest.
During the off-season of 2009, he said he'd definitely be in the contest at All-Star break 2010. Instead he dipped his toes in the pool and skipped away like a timid, squealing 8 year old weakling. We were left with Nate Robinson claiming his third title in a forgettable night of dunks.
Now is the time for LeBron to give back to the game which has made him a mega-millionaire by giving the fans what they want. Except it can't just be any slam dunk contest with guys like Birdman and Andre Iguodala. It's gotta be on some next level, everybody gotta watch, remember this night forever type competition.
LeBron should challenge Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard and Nate Robinson to a showdown in this year's Slam Dunk contest at Kobe's gym, the Staples Center.
Blake Griffin has been annihilating rims throughout his first month in the NBA. He dunks on people with zero remorse. He goes open court with it like a bigger, badder LeBron. And he always seems dazed afterward, like he's zoned out on dunk adrenaline. The rookie has crashed into the league with a vengeance. Who better to humble a wannabe king than Griffin? Or who better for a wannabe king to humble than a young buck like Blake?
And then there's Superman himself, Dwight Howard. We know LeBron won't be getting an MVP award this year. Deep down, Dwight must want it to be his year. What better way to chip away at the reigning MVP than to knock him down at the Slam Dunk contest? As for LeBron, beating Howard would give him a win over the last truly stunning dunker in the contest. Dwight's Superman Slam put him in the stratosphere with Michael Jordan and Vince Carter. If LeBron can outdo Superman, how could we not start to forgive him for "The Decision"?
Nate Robinson is the reigning champ and has won more Slam Dunk contests than any other player in NBA history. For LeBron to truly claim the crown, he must dethrone the champ. If Nate can beat Blake Griffin, Dwight Howard and LeBron James, he would be more than a novelty who won despite some suspect performances. He'd be the little guy who is the average man's hero. At 5'9", it's easier for us to want to be like Nate than giants like LeBron, Blake and Dwight. Nate's challenge is to be the all-time NBA David among the league's most powerful dunking Goliaths.
Commissioner David Stern likes to throw wrinkles into the Slam Dunk contest - like guys have to do dunks based on past contest dunks or guys have to catch passes from teammates. This year, he should make it simple. Let's pay tribute to the greatest dunker of the late 90s, the last great leaping 2-guard. Vince Carter. Every dunker in this year's Slam Dunk contest has to do one of the dunks Vince Carter did when he won the dunk crown in 2000.
The judges - Kobe (Staples Center host), Vince Carter (of course), Michael Jordan (so he can hate on everyone and get booed for it), Dikembe Mutombo (just because he's mad cool and makes bugged out faces off good dunks) and Kenny Smith (TNT factor).
Let's make it happen. Start petitions. Tell your friends. Hit LeBron, Blake, Dwight and Nate up on twitter. We want to *witness* the Super Slam Dunk Contest of all time! Blake Griffin. Dwight Howard. Nate Robinson. LeBron James.
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