Filed under: Cavaliers, Magic, NBA All-Star Game
ORLANDO --
LeBron James may be getting into the NBA's Slam Dunk contest for the first time, but former champion Dwight Howard is getting out.Howard won the contest in 2008 wearing his Superman cape but finished second to Nate Robinson in 2009. He said Thursday after practice that it was unlikely he would be part of the competition anymore.
"I've thought about it (staying in), but no, I think it's time for other guys to go out and show what they can do,'' Howard said. "I'm getting too old for it. I've done it.''
Howard sounded more interested Thursday in focusing on getting the Magic back to the NBA Finals than bothering with the Slam Dunk competition during All-Star Weekend in Dallas.
Although the Slam Dunk competition had lost its luster through this decade, Howard sparked considerable interest in the event in 2008. He was the first NBA All-Star in years to compete in the Friday night preliminary event. It had been filled mostly with young players who haven't reached the All-Star level.
Until Howard in 2008, the last NBA All-Star to win the event was Vince Carter, now Howard's Magic teammate.
James, arguably the league's biggest star today, peaked everyone's interest at last year's All-Star Weekend by saying he would be interested in competing in 2010. Earlier this week, he backed away from his commitment, telling reporters that he was "50-50 right now,'' on his decision.
"If he (James) wants to, I'd say go ahead. I'd like to see him in the contest,'' Howard said. "But it (James' decision) won't affect me. Dunking there is different than dunking in games. I'd love to see other guys in it."
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Full story at http://nba.fanhouse.com/2009/12/03/dwight-howard-wont-return-to-slam-dunk-competition/
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