(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); NEW YORK -- Magic Johnson is giving LeBron James a million reasons to consider the slam dunk contest.

The Hall of Famer says Friday during ESPN's pregame show that he will put up $1 million if James finally enters the marquee event of All-Star Saturday night.

James has always refused to enter the contest, but he's recently been putting on a dunking show before Miami's games, reigniting interest in seeing him take part.

Johnson says: "Please LeBron, get in the dunk contest. I'm going to put up a million dollars. A million dollars to LeBron. Please get in the dunk contest. I go every year. I want to see you out there. A million to the winner."

The NBA currently pays $100,000 to the winner and $50,000 to the runner-up.

That's so nice of one of the greatest NBA players to ever step foot on a professional basketball court! Lebron James, the guy who wants DESPERATELY to be compared to MJ, needs to be COHERSED into playing (and winning) the slam dunk contest! Wow, I really can't imagine the honor LBJ must be feeling, right now! *sarcasm*

You know, whatever happened to the days where it was your DUTY, if you were a high-profile athlete to participate in these events, to be honored to play in the Olympics. But...they still want the accolades of being of the GREATEST? In the immortal words of the ignorant/triffling Chad Johnson: "Child please..."