So LeBron James has been noncommittal when it comes to participating in this weekend?s All-Star festivities, namely the Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest Saturday evening.  The 20-year-old phenom, a self-proclaimed procrastinator, says he will wait until the very ?last minute? before making a decision.

 Well, King James, on behalf of the entire National Basketball Association community, I am begging, pleading, for your participation in the one-time glamour event of All-Star weekend.

 If I have to, I will get down on my knees and beg mercilessly for you to enter the competition if it helps sway your decision in any way.

 Quite simply, LeBron, we as NBA fans need you to take part in the event.    

 LeBron, the student of the game that you are, you are more than well-aware of the fact that the slam dunk contest has indeed lost some of its luster the last few years.  

 Though there have been some masterful dunkers to have won the competition recently, namely Golden State?s Jason Richardson (2002, 2003) ? who predicted back in his collegiate days at Michigan State he would one day win the event ? and New Jersey?s Vince Carter (2001), the competition itself has paled in comparison to the days of The Doctor and Larry Nance, MJ and ?Nique and their historic battles.  You, LeBron, single-handedly, can restore a marquee element to the competition.   LeBron, you can once again turn the dunk contest into must-see TV.  

 No offense to the four participants who have already committed, but Atlanta?s Josh Smith, New Orleans? J.R. Smith and Chris Andersen and Phoenix?s Amare Stoudemire, though high-flyers in their own right, are simply nowhere near your league, LeBron, when it comes to mastering the graceful art of dunking.  None of them combine your aesthetic beauty with sheer power; nor do they possess your charisma or star power.

 You just make it look so easy out there, LeBron, the way you gracefully soar in the air like an eagle with every breathtaking dunk.  

 And those are ?mere? in-game dunks; what could you possible have up your sleeve with the entire world watching on arguably the Association?s largest stage?  
 
 The possibilities are endless.

 Now we know you have already been voted a starter for the Eastern Conference in Sunday?s big game - your first All-Star appearance - and we know you are also taking part in Friday?s got milk? Rookie Challenge as a member of the Sophomore squad.   But surely, LeBron, you can squeeze in the dunk contest as well, no?

 Besides, no one plays any defense during an All-Star game, so it?s not like you?ll exert yourself too much in that game.  And as far as the Rookie Challenge game goes, do the Rookies stand a chance in the world versus your loaded Sophomore team, LeBron?  You can take it easy in that game, too.

 I mean, yes, the Rookies will have ?The Silent Assassin? Ben Gordon of the Chicago Bulls, who in half a season is already thought of as one of the NBA?s most clutch performers, Luol Deng, also of the Bulls, and 2004 first overall pick Dwight Howard of the Magic, already averaging nearly a double-double in his first season, but can they, in any shape or form, hang with the Sophomore squad, led by yourself, Dwyane Wade, Kirk Hinrich, Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony?  

 Unlikely.  

 And so with that game likely over by halftime, LeBron, you could rest up plenty for the dunk contest the next night.  

 If healthy enough ? and we know you are coming off a sprained ankle injury and were visibly fatigued and ill during Thursday?s tilt in Minnesota versus the Wolves ? LeBron, you must add the dunk contest to your All-Star agenda, because quite frankly, the NBA and its fans so desperately need you in the event.  With established high-flyers Richardson, Kobe and Vince either too injured or disinterested in participating, only you, LeBron, can help pick up the slack.

 As the new poster boy of the NBA, LeBron, All-Star weekend is your showcase, your platform, your time.  Your star will shine brighter than any other NBA All-Star, so why not dazzle fans ? most of which will be tuning in this weekend to watch you and only you ? with your enormous array of unprecedented skills?

 So again, LeBron, I'm begging you.  Do us proud by entering in this weekend's slam dunk contest.  

 Do us proud, LeBron.      

 Kostas.Bolos@realgm.com