Associated Press
CLEVELAND -- LeBron James says he won't compete in the Slam Dunk contest during the NBA's All-Star weekend next month because of the ankle injury that has sidelined him for three games.
The Cleveland rookie was picked Tuesday to play in the Rookie Challenge, an event that the league has moved from Saturday to Friday night in prime time.
James and his good friend, Denver's Carmelo Anthony, will be teammates against a squad of the league's second-year players featuring Houston center Yao Ming and Cavs forward Carlos Boozer.
The All-Star starters will be named Thursday and James is not expected to be one of them. He was fourth in fan voting for the team, trailing Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady and Jason Kidd.
However, James still has a chance to be named to the East team as a reserve.
CLEVELAND -- LeBron James says he won't compete in the Slam Dunk contest during the NBA's All-Star weekend next month because of the ankle injury that has sidelined him for three games.
The Cleveland rookie was picked Tuesday to play in the Rookie Challenge, an event that the league has moved from Saturday to Friday night in prime time.
James and his good friend, Denver's Carmelo Anthony, will be teammates against a squad of the league's second-year players featuring Houston center Yao Ming and Cavs forward Carlos Boozer.
The All-Star starters will be named Thursday and James is not expected to be one of them. He was fourth in fan voting for the team, trailing Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady and Jason Kidd.
However, James still has a chance to be named to the East team as a reserve.
