Nate Robinson, Knicks
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Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks leaps over Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic in the finals of the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night, part of 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend at US Airways Center on February 14, 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona.
Former three-time NBA Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson believes the league’s most explosive stars have played a major role in diminishing the prestige of what was once the crown jewel of All-Star Weekend.
In an interview with mBit Casino, Robinson openly questioned why modern superstars — including LeBron James, Ja Morant, and Zion Williamson — never embraced the Slam Dunk Contest during their early careers.
“I don’t know how, but they’ve made it not as cool,” Robinson said. “Back in the day, doing the Dunk Contest stamped who you were. Come on, man — Michael Jordan did the Dunk Contest. LeBron should have. Ja Morant should. Zion should. Why aren’t you guys doing what you’re meant to do? That should’ve been rookie-year stuff.”
Robinson: Dunk Contest Once Defined NBA Greatness
Robinson, who won the event in 2006, 2009 and 2010, said participation in the Dunk Contest once served as a rite of passage for elite athletes.
“The best of the best did it,” Robinson said. “Blake Griffin, myself, T-Mac, Vince Carter, Michael Jordan, Jason Richardson, Desmond Mason, Steve Francis, Baron Davis, Dominique Wilkins. So many guys blessed the Dunk Contest and still became great players.”
According to Robinson, the fear of failure — amplified by constant social media scrutiny — has fundamentally changed how players view the event.
“It didn’t hurt their careers, even if they didn’t win,” he said. “Nowadays, guys are too worried about losing or looking bad. Back then, we didn’t have cell phones or the internet recording everything. We just did it for the fans, for ourselves, to prove we were some of the greatest athletes ever.”
Robinson Joins All-Star Dunk Contest Judging Panel
Despite his criticism, Robinson remains closely tied to the event. He will serve as a judge for this year’s Slam Dunk Contest in Los Angeles.
The judging panel includes Hall of Famers Dominique Wilkins, a two-time contest winner (1985, 1990), and Dwight Howard, the 2008 champion. Former NBA players Brent Barry (1996) and Robinson round out the group.
Little-Known Field Highlights Shift in Contest Profile
This year’s Dunk Contest field underscores Robinson’s concern about declining star power.
The participants include Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, Jaxson Hayes of the Los Angeles Lakers, Keshad Johnson of the Miami Heat, and Jase Richardson of the Orlando Magic.
Two participants — Bryant and Richardson — are rookies. Bryant was selected 14th overall in the 2025 NBA Draft, while Richardson, the son of two-time Dunk Contest champion Jason Richardson, was taken 25th overall.
Hayes is in his seventh NBA season, while Johnson is in his second year after splitting time last season between Miami and its G League affiliate.
Creativity Up, Star Power Down
While Robinson acknowledged that modern dunkers bring increased creativity, he believes the entertainment factor has suffered.
“They’ve got better dunks now — more creativity,” Robinson said, referencing recent multiple winners Mac McClung and Zach LaVine. “But when we played, we had more swag. We were showmen. It’s different now.”
Robinson Proposes Changes to Revive Event
To restore excitement, Robinson suggested expanding the field or reimagining the format.
“I think they need to add more dunkers — four isn’t enough,” he said. “Back in the day there were 10 to 15 guys. Maybe it took too long, but we want to see more dunkers.”
Robinson even floated unconventional ideas.
“Maybe bring in influencers or street dunkers, because some of their dunks are better than NBA players’,” he said. “Or do team dunks — something new. They’ve got to figure it out.”
For Robinson, the message is simple: the Dunk Contest still matters — but only if the league’s brightest stars are willing to show up and own the moment.