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Krypto-Nate Uses Spritely Charm to Win Slam Dunk Crown
By
Billy Parker
Published Feb 15, 2009
Modified Feb 15, 2009
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By
Billy Parker
Published Feb 15, 2009
Modified Feb 15, 2009
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With none of the Knicks getting invited out to Phoenix to play in today's All-Star Game, New York's own Nate Robinson used his under six-foot status to play the role of underdog and swipe the Slam Dunk Competition crown away from Orlando's Dwight Howard. Howard won 2008's contest by donning a Superman cape that would see a reprisal last night—this time accompanied by the heightened theatrics of Howard busting out of a phone booth toward his dunk march. But Nate came prepared with a costume of his own, making the most of some leftover Knicks St. Patty's promotional gear and donning all green (surely to the delight of contest sponsor Sprite) to become "Krypto-Nate." Not since the 2000 3 Doors Down tour have so many fans found themselves on the side of Kryptonite as Robinson eked out Howard in the final round by a fans' text messaging vote count of 52 to 48 percent. It was Robinson's second victory after a win in 2006.
Last night proved once again that the most entertaining All-Star event might not even be any of the major sports' actual games, but the NBA's always entertaining Saturday night festivities. Howard really demonstrated the spirit of the evening by allowing himself to be a prop in Robinson's final dunk, as the 5'9" Knicks guard leaped over the 7-foot Magic center for the slam.
Robinson has his work cut out for him if he's looking for a hat trick next year. Word is that LeBron James will be making his dunk contest debut in Dallas next February. If Nate won his first title by jumping over Spud Webb in 2006 and used Howard last night, he might need to leapfrog over Gheorghe Muresan in order to have a shot at beating LeBron.
The NBA's site has all of the dunks from last night as well as some head turning slams from years past.
Tagged
dwight howard
knicks
Lebron James
nate robinson
nba all-star weekend
slam dunk competition
sports
Billy Parker
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