CLEVELAND - The Slam Dunk contest used to be a wildly popular showcase for some of the NBA's elite to showcase their athletic prowess. Then it became a joke that most stars avoided.Except for the past two years.
Last night, super small Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks won his second dunk title in a contest so riveting that it prompted Cavaliers superstar LeBron James to "preliminarily" declare himself a participant in next year's contest.
Sheeeesh!
Robinson, a solid player but certainly no star is only 5'9" in height. He defeated last year's winner, MVP candidate Dwight Howard by ironically and unbelievably jumping over his 6'11" rival to complete his miraculous, clinching dunk. Howard earned himself a place in dunk contest lore at the 2008 event by assuming Superman's identity, complete with cape and swagger. When Howard furthered the Superman theme last night by changing into his cape inside a courtside phone booth, Robinson later went as far as donning a green Knicks uniform and shoes while using a green basketball to act as kryptonite.
With Howard's cooperation, it worked brilliantly.
I was genuinely thrilled and impressed with the creative theatrics provided by the two finalists. They rendered the two other participants, J.R. Smith and Rudy Fernandez irrelevant and nearly unmemorable. Howard's selfless allowance of Robinson to use him as a prop was inspiring. Without it, he would've won his second straight title especially after his outstanding dunk on a 12-foot hoop that was wheeled out to the court.
The contest wasn't as legendary as the 1988 showdown between rival superstars Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, but it may have done something just as important. It inspired James to take to the skies next year, which could also draw out other major superstars to join in.
For that, we owe Robinson and Howard a debt of gratitude.
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