NBA Slam Dunk Contest 2012: LeBron James and 9 Other Stars We Are Glad Aren't in

The Sprite NBA Slam Dunk Contest competitors were recently announced and for some reason or another, people seem to be grumbling about the lack of A-listers. 

Instead of former competitors like Dwight Howard and Andre Iguodala, fans will get to watch the following: Chase Budinger of the Houston Rockets, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz (replacing Iman Shumpert of the New York Knicks) and Derrick Williams of the Minnesota Timberwolves.

People are so dissatisfied with this grouping that one fan in particular has taken his case to YouTube and is begging Miami Heat star LeBron James to take part in the contest. 

To the haters and those wanting more A-listers, I have one thing to say: WHY????

The Slam Dunk Contest, in recent years, has been a forum for both top players and unknowns to showcase their skills in going above the rim and this year, it just seems to be the unknowns' turn.  On top of that, I won't lie in saying that I find James' dunking abilities both one-sided and boring.

Thus, here are 10 NBA stars, LeBron included, we should be happy aren't taking part in this year's Slam Dunk Contest.

No. 10: J.R. Smith

J.R. Smith is easily one of the most entertaining players in the game, at least from a viewing standpoint.  He's a wizard from beyond the arc and when it comes to slamming the ball home, he's no slouch.

Still, as much as I love watching him play, Smith has already competed in the contest twice, in 2005 and 2009.  He didn't win either time, but he had his shot twice.  It's time for him to take a step back and let some other young guns compete.

No. 9: Nate Robinson

OK, I get it.  Short guys who can dunk are fun to watch and Nate Robinson of the Golden State Warriors is no exception.  At 5'9", the work he does above the rim is eye-popping and borders on the hypnotic.

Still, as much as I've rooted for him in the past, Robinson has already won the Slam Dunk Contest not one, not two but three times already.  As good as he is, it's time for him to retire from this segment of All-Star Weekend.

No. 8: Rudy Gay

I've been a fan of Rudy Gay since his days at UConn, but I'll be the first to admit that he doesn't deserve so much hype when it comes to his dunking.  Sure, his slams are solid, but they aren't what some would call overly impressive.

The Slam Dunk Contest is supposed to showcase the true artists of dunking and even though Gay competed in 2008, his dunks were very bland.  It's an event where flashy is better, and Gay just doesn't have that going for him.

No. 7: Serge Ibaka

It pains me to include Serge Ibaka on this list, as he is one of my favorite players to watch and is easily one of the most underrated big men in the league.  He isn't necessarily what most would call a "star," but his defense and toughness are off the charts.

However, at 6'10", 235 pounds, Ibaka's offensive game isn't exactly impressive and in dunking, he just looks kind of awkward.  He competed last year, and just wasn't impressive enough to hold my attention.

He's a decent dunker overall, just not the kind that should be in the contest.

No. 6: Josh Smith

Josh Smith is easily one of the best dunkers in the game, and he even won the Slam Dunk Contest in 2005.  Still, despite his awesomeness above the rim, he shouldn't be back there.

Simply put, the contest today is slowly becoming more and more about rising stars and as one of the best forwards in the NBA today, he is anything but that.  If anything, he should be helping other players participating in the event.

No. 5: DeMar DeRozan

DeMar DeRozan has competed in the Slam Dunk Contest twice and lost both times, despite pulling off some sick jams.  However, his losing twice is not the reason he should not participate.

Rather, DeRozan should not be participating in future dunk contests simply because of remarks he made after last year's, claiming that the event was fixed.  Call me a purist, but there's no room for that kind of attitude in the Slam Dunk Contest, which is supposed to be fun and meaningless.

There is no place for the comments DeRozan made.

No. 4: LeBron James

Putting all of my personal feelings about him aside, LeBron James shouldn't be in the Slam Dunk Contest for one reason: he always showcases one of two dunks during games.  Seriously, there is no variety to his dunking whatsoever.  It's always the one or two-handed power slam, nothing more and nothing less.

Given how the dunk contest is supposed to be about fun and being creative, James shouldn't be involved whatsoever.

No. 3: Andre Iguodala

Easily my favorite dunker in the NBA, I would personally love to see Andre Iguodala make a return to the Slam Dunk Contest.  Unfortunately, he has no reason to return despite losing in 2006.

No matter how you look at it, he won't be able to top the dunk featured in the video to the left.

No. 2: Dwight Howard

Dwight Howard has competed in three dunk contests, winning in 2008.  Yet, as powerful as his slams are, we should be glad he isn't performing in it this year.

First off, he's had his time in this spotlight and it's time for him to step aside.  Secondly, let's take his upcoming free agency into consideration.  Who's to say that he wouldn't use the dunk contest as a sort of audition to get certain teams to throw lucrative contracts at him?

That alone defeats the fun and meaningless purpose of this event.

No. 1: Blake Griffin

OK, Blake, we get it.  You're a great dunker and you turned tons of heads in last year's dunk contest when you dunked over a car.

Still, it was all glitz and no glamour as the form on the dunk itself was fairly simple.  Call me a purist, but the Slam Dunk Contest is meant for players to showcase their phenomenal timing and athleticism, the latter in which Griffin is heavily lacking.

His dunks are fun to watch during a game, but for a dunk contest?  Bring me the speed and flash!