Heat forward LeBron James is the most explosive in-game and pregame dunker in the NBA. But he won't enter a contest. (Photo: Howard Smith, USA TODAY Sports) Tags NBA Magic Johnson Miami Heat LeBron James Earlier this year, a fan tried to garner $1 million to get LeBron James into the 2013 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest. His online fundraiser stalled out at about $4,000. If only there were a very rich benefactor to contribute a full million ...
It would have to be someone who loves the NBA and watching the Miami Heat play and has that kind of bankroll, the same kind needed to, say, buy an MLB team. Ideally, this person would be famous and visible, maybe with a spot on an ESPN NBA show. And the person would have to hold enough influence to convince James to do it, as the $1,000,000 (zeros for emphasis) wouldn't be enough on its own.
Oh, hey, Magic Johnson.
LEBRON: Every day is dunk contest day
Johnson, the Basketball Hall of Famer, said Friday night during an ESPN broadcast he would post $1 million to the winner of the dunk contest if James entered.
"Please LeBron, get in the dunk contest," Johnson said. "I'm going to put up a million dollars. A million dollars to LeBron. Please get in the dunk contest. I go every year. I want to see you out there. A million to the winner.''
Now, let's be clear here: James would win, at least he would if he gave it his all. And he's competitive and image-conscious enough to go all in if he ever does enter. We've seen the videos (plural) popping up from his pregame routine.
PREGAME DUNKS: LeBron says he will continue show
But if you need one more reminder, the NBA has posted this mix of his best pregame slams:
That said, James has turned down the contest year after year. So maybe he has some unknown reason to be scared he might lose, thus sullying his public image.
Wait — the final round is decided by fan vote. Sign up already. Seriously.
PHOTOS: LeBron's many highlights and lowlights LeBron James scored Cleveland's final 25 points as the Cavaliers outlasted the Pistons 109-107 in double overtime of Eastern Conference Finals Game 5 on May 31, 2007. The Cavs overcame a 2-0 series deficit and won in six.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen In Cleveland, July 8, 2010, will forever be known for 'The Decision,' the day free agent LeBron James announced on ESPN that he was leaving the Cavaliers and taking his 'talents to South Beach' to join the Miami Heat.
Bob Luckey, Greenwich Time via AP Related story Fullscreen After finishing with 26 points, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in Game 5 of NBA Finals, LeBron James was not only able to hoist his first NBA championship trophy, he also was named MVP of the 2012 NBA Finals.
Derick E. Hingle, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen LeBron and the Cavaliers were swept by the Spurs in the 2007 NBA Finals, James' first Finals appearance.
Timothy A. Clary, AFP/Getty Images Related story Fullscreen Right after he won an NBA title with the Heat, LeBron James was able to drape himself in the American flag after the USA defeated Spain 107-100 in the men's basketball gold medal game at the London Olympics.
Rob Schumacher, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen South Beach hasn't always been fun and games for LeBron James. Here he walks off the court after Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks on June 12, 2011. The Mavericks won 105-95 to win the series.
Lynne Sladky, AP Related story Fullscreen LeBron James' NBA destiny was confirmed June 26, 2003 when he was drafted No. 1 by his hometown Cleveland Cavaliers. On draft night, James wore white and shared a laugh with fellow lottery pick Carmelo Anthony.
Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen LeBron James finally got to celebrate his elusive NBA Finals championship in 2012 with the Miami Heat.
Robert Mayer, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen Cavaliers fans in Cleveland, such as Josh Hall, left, Rob Hose, and Mike Adams reacted to LeBron James' announcement he was leaving the Cavs by setting fire to James' jerseys.
Phil Masturzo, Akron Beacon Journal via AP Related story Fullscreen Before he left for Miami, LeBron James (23), celebrating with teammate Sasha Pavlovic after hitting the game winning three pointer against the Orlando Magic in Game 2 of the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, was perhaps the most popular athlete in Cleveland sports history.
Gregory Shamus, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen LeBron was ruled ineligible and the end of his senior year by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, because he accepted free sports jerseys, bringing a sudden end to the basketball star's celebrated high school career.
Tony Dejak, AP Related story Fullscreen The final piece of hardware for King James' 'corination' as an NBA champion came opening night of the 2012-13 season when LeBron James and his Heat teammates were given their championship rings during a ceremony before a game against the Celtics, on Oct. 30, 2012, in Miami.
J Pat Carter, AP Related story Fullscreen LeBron's jersey was retired at St. Vincent-St. Mary's at his final home game in 2003.
Haraz Ghanbari, AP Related story Fullscreen Workmen remove a large mural of LeBron James from a building in downtown Cleveland on July 10, 2010 after James, who had played seven years for the Cavaliers, signed with the Miami Heat after becoming a free agent.
Mark Duncan, AP Related story Fullscreen Shaquille O'Neal, right, of the Miami Heat, and LeBron James, of the Cleveland Cavaliers, dancing together during NBA All-Star basketball practice on Feb. 17, 2007 in Las Vegas.
Kevork Djansezian, AP Related story Fullscreen LeBron won the first of his three NBA MVP awards while with the Cavaliers in 2009. Here he poses with his mother Gloria during the award ceremony at his high school.
Amy Sancetta, AP Related story Fullscreen Lebron and his St. Vincent - St. Mary's team frequently played on national television.
Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports Related story Fullscreen LeBron's first sneaker, the Air Zoom Generation launched during his rookie year in 2003.
Robin Tinay Sallie, AP Related story Fullscreen Heat forward LeBron James (6) celebrates with teammate Dwyane Wade (3) after winning the NBA championship in Game 5 of the 2012 NBA Finals at the American Airlines Arena. The Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 121-106.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen LeBron's senior year in high school was marred by controversy, notably when his mother Gloria bought him a Hummer.
Tony Dejak, AP Related story Fullscreen Before the Big Three of Dwyane Wade, left, Chris Bosh, center, and LeBron James, right, had played a single minute together, the Miami Heat threw an elaborate celebration at Miami's American Airlines Arena on July 9, 2010.
Al Diaz, AP Related story Fullscreen LeBron James lays the ball up past Thunder guard Thabo Sefolosha during Game 4 of the 2012 NBA Finals. Miami won 104-98.
Pool Photo, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen Wearing glasses during postgame news conferences became the hip thing during the 2011-12 season, and LeBron James joined in the spectacle of spectacles.
Steve Mitchell, US Presswire Related story Fullscreen LeBron James and teammate Dwyane Wade are all smiles after their Game 7 victory over the Boston Celtics in the 2012 Eastern Conference Finals. The Miami Heat will face the Oklahoma City Thunder in the NBA Finals.
Mike Ehrmann, Getty Images Related story Fullscreen LeBron James of the Miami Heat shows some emotion after knocking out the Boston Celtics in five games in the 2011 Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Victor Baldizon, NBAE/Getty Images Related story Fullscreen It was during the event to introduce LeBron James, left, and Chris Bosh, right, as Dwyane Wade's newest teammates, that James made his infamous 'Not one, not two, not three ..." prediction about the number of championships the Heat's Big Three would win together.
J.Pat Carter AP Related story Fullscreen James' road to NBA stardom seemingly started while he was still in high school. As a standout for St. Vincent-St. Mary's High School in Akron, Ohio, James quickly earned "next big thing" status with sports magazine covers and recognition on the USA TODAY All-USA boys basketball team for three consecutive years.
Eileen Blass, USA TODAY Sports
