Dwight Howard Dazzles and Dunks As the Magic Trump the Clippers in Orlando
Dwight Howard put on another spectacular performance as the Orlando Magic trumped the Los Angeles Clippers by a final score of 101-85 at home Tuesday night.
Howard, the one Magic fans affectionately call Superman, provided them with another spectacular performance against the Clippers.
Howard threw down 20 points and collected 22 boards in an effort that allowed the Magic to attain their 33rd win of the season. His 20-point, 20-rebound performance is his fifth of the season and the 31st of his career.
Only Charles Barkley, Hakeem Olajuwon and Shaquille O'Neal have more 20-point, 20-rebound performances in the last 25 years in the NBA.
Not only did Howard put up dazzling numbers, but he did so with style.
For instance, on one play, Howard set just enough of a pick to allow Magic point guard Jameer Nelson a near open path to the basket, which was followed by Nelson throwing up a handsome lob to Howard, which was finished with authority.
It is plays such as this one that make Howard such an entertaining spectacle to behold. His size and athleticism allow him to seemingly climb invisible ladders over opposing defenses to finish by slamming the ball with such force that the audience is left to assume that that the ball had done something that had offended Howard in some way.
The Magic had a few impressive plays on Tuesday night, but the alley-oop pass delivered from Nelson, which Howard punctuated, was arguably the most impressive.
Blake Griffin, who is becoming known for his ability to inspire awe into audiences by finishing with thunderous dunks, watched Howard from the losing end of Tuesday's contest.
As Griffin watched Howard throw it down against his team, I hope that he was taking notes, because he is set to participate in a Slam Dunk Contest that is stealthily approaching. Howard's 2008 Slam Dunk Contest crown could attest to the fact that he may know a thing or two about dunking that Griffin could potentially learn from.
The 2010 Slam Dunk Contest left much to be desired ,as Nate Robinson walked away with his second straight Slam Dunk championship trophy, only after he proved to be Superman's Kryptonite in the 2009 contest.
Perhaps Howard's brilliant showing against Griffin's club will inspire some great things in the second-year rookie to revitalize the contest itself, and perhaps even Griffin to earn a Slam Dunk Contest championship trophy of his own.
