Dwight Howard = 2008 Slam Dunk Champ

I have to admit, the NBA Slam Dunk contest (and the NBA in general, really) has been a real yawner in recent years. I mean, since peaking with Vince Carter/Tracy McGrady/Steve Francis that one year, it’s been the same sort of thing over and over. Of course, there are only so many things that are humanly possible but c’mon…we’ve seen you put it through your legs before. We’ve seen the windmill…give us something different.

Dwight Howard did that last year with some fresh thinking, putting a sticker…of himself, no less…on the backboard more than twelve feet up. He didn’t win last year so this year, he came back…with a vengeance. Dude is a #%*&ing beast. Seriously, some of the stuff he did I’ve never seen before. First came the “bounce of the back of the backboard, windmill and in without smashing his face” dunk. Then came what was probably the most popular dunk of the night…the Superman.

Look at the height he gets…and how he catches that pass. It’s awesome. Too bad he had to mention that that stupid Crank Dat song was his inspiration. God, I hate that song. While that’s definetely the crowd favorite, his next one…well, the level of difficulty is staggering.

I actually like this guy. Unlike some of the other NBA superstars that act like jackasses on and off the court, Howard always looks like he’s having fun with a big smile on his face. Seriously one of the best personalities in the league. He seems like a fun dude and will fill in as the hilarious big man when Shaq finally retires. I mean, they’ve already faced off on the dance floor.

…those big guys can move! Shaq has some badass rhythm! That’s a huge robot!