Rashard Lewis, Dwight Howard Fall Short in Three-Point Shootout, Dunk Contest
by Ben Q Rock on Feb 14, 2009 11:54 PM EST
in 2008/2009 Recaps
20 comments
Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard dunks after throwing the ball off the right side of the backboard in the 2009 Sprite Slam Dunk contest
Photo by Ronald Martinez, NBAE/Getty Images
Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis finished in second in the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, while Magic center Dwight Howard finished in second in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest as he failed to defend his championship.
Lewis faced off against Daequan Cook and defending champion Jason Kapono in the final round and appeared to have the contest won after besting Kapono's total. Cook's rough start in the final round seemed to assure victory for Lewis, but he made his last four shots on the final rack to force a tie. The "overtime" period slanted heavily in Cook's favor. Lewis was visibly exhausted and mustered just 7 points; Cook, who has a tighter, quicker release, finished with 19 to win the competition.
The dunk contest provided much more intrigue. Howard and Nate Robinson, a former contest winner, went head-to-head in the final round. Howard's most impressive dunk involved his lobbing the ball off the right side of the backboard, sprinting down the right baseline, catching the lob and finishing strong with one hand. It should have been enough to win, but Nate Robinson played off Howard's "Superman" image by changing into a green-tinted "Kryptonite" Knicks uniform. He then had Howard stand a few feet in front of the rim while wearing his Superman cape. Robinson ran down the center of the floor, leapt over Howard, and dunked a green basketball with his right hand. His showmanship narrowly won him the competition, as he captured 52% of the fan vote. After his win, Robinson admitted that he would not have won without Dwight's cooperation. He could not have been more right. If Dwight had not allowed Robinson to dunk over him, the Krpytonite gag would have fallen flat, and Howard would have won again easily.
An underwhelming dunk contest for everyone, especially Magic fans. Howard's off-the-side-of-the-backboard dunk was the only impressive entry from any contestant. Hopefully, the All-Star Game tomorrow will provide more excitement. 3QC will have an open thread, just like we had tonight and for every Magic game.
0 recs |
20 comments
|
Email
Print
Comments
To anyone here....
Do u guys recall Dwight saying in some newspaper or interview that he didnt want to defend his title this year because of last years success? I personally thought that Dwight might have thrown this contest on purpose because he didnt want to continue to defend each year. I kinda had the feeling that Dwight and Nate kinda planned this out (superman, Kryptonite) Have you guys heard any of this (as far as newspapers and reports are concerned)?
"In order for us to make a move, It has to make sense" - Otis Smith's favorite saying
I was out and about tonight, but I was able to catch the Slam Dunk Contest beforehand.
I’m convinced the competition was scripted in some manner.
- Dwight Howard getting a 50 for a rather ‘average’ dunk.
- Nate Robinson leaving the court, before the first round was finished, to change into his ‘Kryptonite’ costume. Sure, he could have gone back in the locker room, wait for the results to come and make sure he advanced .. but still. That whole aspect of changing into Dwight’s nemesis seem staged.
- Nate getting a score over 40 for a dunk in which he jumped on top of someone. That’s something normal people do to try and “cheat”, so that they can dunk because they don’t have the hops to do so.
- Dwight helping Nate out in the final round. That could have been showmanship by Howard, but .. that whole concept seemed pre-planned.
- Dwight ending the contest by dunking from the free-throw line?
The way that whole competition played out just seemed cliche and fishy.
If Dwight really wanted to, he could have destroyed the field. Let’s be frank here. I’m not stating that because I’m “bitter”, I’m saying it because it’s the truth. Even if Howard just ordered his dunks differently (which I think is an underrated aspect of winning a dunk contest), he probably would have won.
I digress.
Former Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Nate had one good dunk which was on Dwight, every other one was bad, especially the stepper one which was completely pathetic. If Dwight would have done the Superman last, and with more flair, he would have easily won this one. They really need better dunkers next year, Lebron should be interesting. Hopefully high flyers like Westbrook, Young and others will be there next time.
I'll be shocked if LeBron held to his word and competed next year.
Former Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I agree with erivera7...
You people at home “texting” are idiots.
I don’t even think Nate should have gotten out of the first round.
Which leads me to my next point…
For two of Nate’s dunks he used someone else to get him higher… His “jump off the back” dunk was embarrassing. Has anyone not been on a basketball court before? I’ve only seen that multiply times before…
Rudy was jobbed big time…
Overall, the dunk contest seemed more "scripted" then ever. I’d like to say the excitement was officially back, but it’s obviously not. To me, "the NBA" seemed to be involved with this dunk contest more than ever.
Kryptonate vs Superman
was definitely scripted. Dwight even said so when he stated that they practiced the whole routine backstage on a different court. He didn’t want to try anything too dangerous to put his team in jeopardy. They just did enough for the fans. Besides, Nate’s two “helped " dunks over his teammate and Dwight were no less boarderline than Dwights "dunk” last year where he actually just threw the ball in the rim. He backtracked trying to explain it last year and then said it was part of the show. He actually just missed the dunk.
but nate was being helped by jumping off of someones back to dunk
that isnt subjective. In 8th grade my 5’7 inch friend did the exact same thing, and he couldnt dunk without that help.
In no way is that dunk comparable with Dwight throwing the ball into the net like last years dunk. It may have not been a traditional dunk, but that added to how impressive it was because the lift required to achieve that angle was amazing.
If Dwight really wanted to, he could have dunked from a 13' hoop.
Nate’s dunk on Wilson Chandler was joke, I’m sorry. I’m usually even-mannered but come on ..
Former Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
Yeah, 12 feet wasn't even impressive
When your 7 feet tall, that’s to be expected. He should have gone for 14 or at least 13. After his first dunk he wanted to raise it up higher but they wouldn’t let him, he should have just gone big from the get go.
Sports Picks 365
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Jameer Nelson
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Feb 16, 2009 9:53 AM EST up reply actions
Sorry, 6'10 or 6'11
before someone corrects me. The point is, he’s just about 7.
Sports Picks 365
"Shoot first, ask questions last" Jameer Nelson
by DieSlowKeyshawn on Feb 16, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
LeBron claims he can dunk from a 13' hoop too .. which I believe him.
Again, I’m still convinced the contest was scripted and quite frankly, I don’t care that Dwight “lost”, but it would have been nice for him to repeat.
I guess Howard didn’t want to keep repeating his title. I’m curious to see if he’ll enter the contest next year now that LeBron has tentatively put his name on the list next year.
Former Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
I agree
Lebron isn’t that creative of Dunker. He dunks on people, but lacks creativity..
Did anyone see him the McDonalds all-american dunk contest? Not impressive.
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
I think if you give LeBron the right motivation, he'll do something ridiculous.
I wouldn’t underestimate LBJ.
When the stakes are high enough, that’s when he seems to be at his best.
Former Senior Writer for DePaul's Scout.com website
He does sing (poorly) "Time After Time" by Cyndi Lauper
in that NBA commercial. So yeah, he’s not beyond acting a fool.
You read it! You can't unread it!
by TheGiantSquid on Feb 16, 2009 8:04 PM EST up reply actions
I hope Dwight is done..
He is just too tall and doesn’t look right..
"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
The silliest thing is that he went into the phonebooth, then came out holding the cape. C'mon, dude. Put the cape on, then come out.
But seriously, the side-of-the-backboard dunk was incredible.
I dont think the leauge
let him wear his superman shirt this year. They were probably ticked that their logo wasn’t on it in all of the pictures of the famous dunk.
"I have come that you may have life, and life to the max"
Haha
But they did let him wear the cape, which had the logo on it.
Still, I noticed they added patches to every uniform on Saturday night. Rashard had a Foot Locker logo on his, for instance.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
Related FanPosts on Orlando Pinstriped Post
Related FanShots on Orlando Pinstriped Post
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recent FanPosts
Contact Us
Merch Booth
Check out our online store, featuring the popular "Polish Machine," "Heart and Hustle," and "#CrazyNuts" designs, by clicking here.
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
