Lou Williams, former NBA star and Atlanta Hawks guard, has thrown down a playful challenge to LeBron James: face off against young gun Mac McClung in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. But will "The King" take the bait?
The 2024 All-Star Weekend in Indiana is already buzzing with anticipation, and the Dunk Contest promises to be a highlight. On "Run It Back," Williams urged James, 39, to join the reigning champion McClung and put on a show for the fans.
This call comes on the heels of James' recent poster dunk on Paul George, proving his athleticism remains electrifying. However, despite his age-defying skills, James has never participated in the Dunk Contest. His priorities, as he's stated before, lie in winning NBA championships and individual accolades, not showmanship.
"Making the NBA All-Star Team, being the league MVP, winning Defensive Player of the Year, winning NBA Championships... THOSE were some goals of mine," James declared. "The NBA Dunk Contest was NEVER a goal of mine."
While fans might crave a James-McClung showdown, it's unlikely to materialize. James' current focus is on steering the Lakers back into playoff contention. After a disappointing stretch, they've fallen to 10th in the Western Conference with 45 games remaining. With a veteran's wisdom, James knows where his priorities lie.
So, while Williams' challenge adds a dash of intrigue to the All-Star Weekend, it's safe to say LeBron James will be saving his highlight-reel dunks for the regular season, aiming for a different kind of silverware: the Larry O'Brien Trophy.