Dwight Howard Manages New Low in Losing Shooting Contest to Kings Mascot Bailey

The 2012 LA Lakers are on the precipice of becoming a laughingstock. Dwight Howard is doing everything in his power to shove them over the edge. 

His latest antics are far less egregious than the stunts he pulled in his final moments in Orlando, but no less painful to watch. 

It seems Superman found his Kryptonite in the form of free-throw shots, recently losing a shooting contest to a mascot. 

ESPN Los Angeles' Dave McMenamin (h/t Yahoo Sports) reports on a silly little competition that should have Lakers fans shaking their heads laughing, until they remember this guy is their center. 

It seems the NHL's Los Angeles Kings' mascot, Bailey, showed up at the Lakers' facility on Tuesday, joined by the MLS Cup. The LA Galaxy are playing for the top prize and for some reason the Kings' mascot was shooting some video with the trophy and Lakers players. 

Here is what went down: 

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After shootaround was over, Bailey challenged Dwight Howard to a free throw shooting contest on a side court and beat him. Dwight said it didn't count unless it was on the main court. So Bailey beat him at free throws on the main court. Then Dwight moved the contest out to the NBA 3-point line. They shot 3s from the corner and Bailey, a man standing about 5-10 wearing a lion costume, beat Howard, a man standing 6-9 and wearing his basketball practice uniform and sneakers as the first person to make five 3s. 

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There is even this short video of the exchange which illustrates the great form of the epic baller Bailey. 

Howard, always one to deliver the bright side of things, offered, "Anything I can do to help the team. I was being a team player today, missing shots. Allowing him to get his shots off so he can feel good about himself. Sometimes you have to lose to win."

Ah yes, letting the Stanley Cup Champion mascot get a bit of goodwill is a great idea. How else would he feel good about himself?

Howard would go on to collect 17 points in a 79-77 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Tuesday night, shooting an abysmal 3-for-12 from the charity stripe. 

The Lakers are now 7-8 and, if they are not careful, could spiral into a star-studded team that score at an entertaining clip but still lose games. 

At least they will make us laugh along the way. 

Let's fight about it on Twitter. 

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