Superman Dwight Howard Crushed By Pint-Sized Kryptonite!

The 2009 Slam Dunk contest in Phoenix had the storyline and all the high-drama of a daytime soap opera. 

One year ago in New Orleans, the reigning champion stunned the world with his Superman impression as he hurled the ball through the hoop after flying through the air in full superhero regalia.

Dwight Howard won the hearts of NBA fans everywhere with his charisma and theatrics, and was the clear favorite heading into the 2009 Dunk Contest in Phoenix.

But, someone forgot to tell that to Nate Robinson.

Dwight Howard certainly appeared to have the contest under control as he received a perfect 50 for his first score, on what appeared to be a very average dunk. The other three contestants, including Robinson, received lesser scores than the Superman Howard with dunks that were just as impressive, if not better.

In the second round, J.R. Smith failed at his first two attempts at a 180-style bounce pass dunk from Nuggets teammate Sonny Weeks, and later settled for a straight forward dunk passed to him from the bleachers. 

Rudy Fernandez also failed multiple attempts at what looked to be a very complicated dunk coming from behind the rim, with a pass off the back of the glass from Pau Gasol.  He finally made it after the time had expired on the first of his final two attempts, but the scores reflected the disappointment from the multiple misses preceding it.  

Nate Robison received a respectable score after using a teammate like a trampoline from which he dunked the ball with one hand. And, it was enough to send him to the third and final round.

Then came Dwight Howard. The stadium fell silent as a hydraulic truck with a basketball rim attached drove into the arena alongside the standard hoop. He then exited to the back of the arena where the spotlight fell upon a phone booth in clear sight of the audience. No surprises here, but the crowd was at their feet as Howard entered the phone booth only to emerge with his superman cape once again.

The truck then raised the rim 12 feet into the air, and Dwight flew toward the rim catching a pass from Jamir Nelson and slammed it with authority. The score was another perfect 50 and things were clearly going his way.

Smith and Fernandez were eliminated after the second round, and only Nate Robinson was left in contention with Howard for the final round.

Nate went back to the locker room after his second dunk only to reappear for the third round wearing a kryptonite green Knicks uniform, a green ball, and some bright green sneakers. The crowd could sense they were in for something special.

Robinson asked for Howard's assistance for his final dunk. And the crowd watched in amazement as they saw what Robinson was going to attempt. The 5'8" Robinson placed the 6'11" Howard (still wearing his Superman cape) in front of the basket.

Everyone was thinking the same thing: Is he really going to try what I think he's about to do? 

Yes! Robinson ran full speed ahead and leaped into the air, slightly pushing off of Howard's shoulder with one hand as he flushed the ball cleanly down the hoop!

Simply amazing.

David had jumped over Goliath to steal the hearts of the crowd, and the voting audience as well.

Howard's final dunk was a full court sprint and a successful dunk from the free throw line. And under any other circumstance, he would've had this contest in the bag. But nobody could forget what they just saw Robinson do on the prior dunk. It was just too perfect!

Before the announcer read the name of the winner, you could hear the same fans who had been cheering loudly for Howard, now chanting "Nate, Nate."  And with 52 percent of the vote, Robinson's kryptonite had defeated the mighty Superman.