LeBron James: How to Return as The King

Does anyone else remember this from the 2009 slam dunk contest

This was the moment that started the fall of LeBron James.

LeBron told the world he was putting his name into the hat for the 2010 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, something NBA fans had been waiting for since James was drafted by Cleveland in 2003.

It was set up perfectly. LeBron James was going to show us if he could match up to the greats such as Carter and Jordan infront of 100,000 in Dallas Texas. It would be the biggest crowd the NBA has ever seen, the biggest stage for one of the biggest names in basketball.

Yet LeBron never showed and Dallas bore witness to a dunk contest that left fans and owners wondering if there was any point in holding the event in 2011.

LeBron's fall continued through the summer of 2010 when he announced he would be "taking his talents to South Beach" to hook up with Dwayne Wade and Cris Bosh at the Miami Heat.

Many felt cheated by this move, with fans (aside from those in Heat colours) turning on the man known as King James due to the farce that LeBron created with the announcement (going as far as to turn his decision into a TV show), and for his decision to take the "easy route" to an NBA Championship by joining two other All-Stars in Miami rather than going to New York and Cleveland to take on the challenge solo.

Going into the 2010/11 season the majority of the NBA viewing public wanted one thing. Miami to fail in its bid for the the Championship.

Despite guaranteeing a 70 win season and a NBA Finals win LeBron and the Heat won just 58 games in the regular season ranking 2nd in the Eastern Conference behind the Chicago Bulls before losing to the Dallas Mavericks in 6 games in the NBA Finals.

The public was ecstatic as LeBron's fall was complete. He had no MVP trophy, no Finals ring, no 70 win season and no support from those outside Miami.

So how can LeBron win us back again?

Dunk. Get in the 2011/12 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and earn back the love of the NBA fans.

All these rolled into one. The task if James enters
the dunk contest.

Being in the contest won't be enough to flip the opinions of the general public, to win back the people LeBron has to do something for the people.

He needs to put on a show.

A show that would rival the likes of Carter in 2000 or Howard in 2008.

A show that brings the excitement of Richardson vs Mason in 2003 or Jordan vs Dominique.

A show that makes us ask the question once again. Is he as good as Jordan?

It sounds impossible but if anyone has the ability to do it its James. The King has become The Heel, but we as a public are forgiving to those who entertain.

LeBron can entertain. Winning the people back wont be easy but  a 2012 Dunk Contest appearance could bring James out from the cold and back into basketball fans hearts.