NBA Dunk Contest: Unlike LeBron James, Jaylen Brown Isn’t Afraid of Becoming a Meme

In the 2024 Dunk Contest, Jaylen Brown brought infectious energy to the court. Be it the gloved left-hand dunk or the leap over the 5’3″ Kai Cenat, he was having fun all the time. Despite captivating the crowd and grabbing attention, Mac McClung ultimately claimed a back-to-back Dunk Contest title. The G-Leaguer snatched the ball from Shaquille O’Neal‘s hands and soared over him, earning five perfect scores on his final attempt.

Speaking to the media after the loss, Jaylen exuded gratitude for being in the competitive limelight. While falling short of winning the title, he emphasized the importance of having fun and unleashing one’s creativity. However while doing so, he took a playful jab at some of the league’s greats, stating, “I think, ultimately, in this media era, some players are just afraid to get turned into a meme or whatever.”

When reflecting on prominent dunkers who have a history of shying away from the dunk contest, LeBron James prominently stands out. Despite being a ferocious dunker since his early NBA days, James, known for maneuvering contact on dunks even at his age, has never participated in a dunk contest throughout his 21-year career.

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When drawing comparisons with LeBron James, only the names of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant naturally come to mind. Interestingly, both Jordan and Bryant have a dunk contest victory to their names, with Jordan claiming the title in 1988 and Bryant securing it in 1997.

Why has LeBron James never participated in a Dunk Contest?

The narrative surrounding LeBron James opting out of the dunk contest is well-established over the years. So far, fans have only caught glimpses of James’ athletic explosions during pre-game routines. However, for James, steering clear of the dunk contest is a conscious decision. In a recent interview, he explained that his choice stems from a preference for team achievements over personal accolades. Additionally, he emphasized that winning the dunk trophy was never a goal for him, stating, “It’s not a goal of mine and it never was coming into the NBA to be a part of the Dunk Contest.”

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Furthermore, James asserted that winning championships and securing the title of Defensive Player of the Year were among his goals upon entering the NBA. While fans may not entirely align with James on this matter, the 21st-year superstar’s reasons are sufficient for him to steer clear of the high-flying showdown, especially as he approaches the age of 40.