The NBA Slam Dunk Contest once felt like appointment television. Think 2016 and prior, when elite athletes treated the stage like a proving ground. Now, many fans leave All-Star Saturday night underwhelmed. Recently, Stephen A. Smith and Dwyane Wade offered direct, unfiltered explanations for why the event no longer carries the same weight.

Smith, speaking on First Take, pointed to one name as the turning point: LeBron James, Fadeaway World reports. He argued that when James dominated the league yet declined to enter the contest, it shifted how superstars viewed participation. Smith said the absence of marquee players drained the spectacle, claiming the true catalyst behind the contest’s erosion started with a generational talent choosing not to compete. He referenced moments when James hinted at joining, including a televised exchange with Cheryl Miller, but never followed through.

Kendrick Perkins echoed that frustration on the same panel. He agreed that James’ decision mattered, though he questioned whether that choice alone influenced the entire league. Together, the discussion framed the issue around star power and responsibility.

The Game Has Shifted

Wade approached the topic from a different angle. He congratulated Keshad Johnson for winning this year’s competition but zoomed out to the bigger picture. According to Wade, today’s fans respond louder to deep three pointers than to high-flying finishes. He noted that arenas erupt when shooters like Stephen Curry launch from the logo, while traditional lob dunks no longer spark the same awe.

Article Continues Below

“Back in the day it was an athletic game,” Wade explained, emphasizing how dunking once jolted crowds out of boredom. He added that the spotlight has shifted to the 3-point contest, where bigger names now participate. In his view, the evolution of basketball naturally pulled attention away from pure vertical theatrics.

Wade also made a compelling point about perception. He suggested that if the exact same dunks came from household names, fans would label the contest historic. Without recognizable stars, even elite creativity struggles to resonate. He admitted he misses the eras defined by Michael Jordan and Vince Carter, yet he refused to dismiss the current generation’s effort.

After All-Star weekend wrapped, social media buzz centered on disappointment. Critics cited limited preparation and the absence of headline talent. Wade’s explanation, however, focused less on blame and more on transformation. Basketball and audiences evolve. What once captivated the culture may no longer do so.