Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard may not have soared quite as high on Saturday night's recreation of his famous Superman dunk from 2008. But the 2020 version was certainly heavier with meaningāand a No. 24 instead of an āSā on the chest.
According to Tania Ganguli of the Los Angeles Times, Howard had originally planned on having Kobe Bryant bring him the Superman cape ā Jameer Nelson did instead ā and Kobe apparently had agreed to partake. Howard also used a special bronze basketball with an engraving of Bryant's signature for the slam.
Dwight Howard's plan on that second dunk was to have Kobe Bryant bring him the Superman cape. Once Bryant did that, Howard planned to show Bryant the 24 on his chest. He said Bryant had agreed to do it.
ā Tania Ganguli (@taniaganguli) February 16, 2020
In the week before Kobe's untimely passing, Howard talked about his desire to persuade Kobe to participate in his return to the dunk contest, and asked Lakers fans to help him recruit Kobe. At All-Star Media Day, Howard shared memories of Bryant, including when Kobe turned him onto the movieĀ Pitch Perfect.Ā
He added on Kobe, āOne thing I wish I had a chance to do was tell him how much I really appreciated him, and the growth and change I saw in him.ā
Howard received a 49 on the 2020 Superman dunk, with Chadwick Boseman as the only judge to (correctly) not award a 10. At 34, Howard was aiming to become the oldest dunk contest winner in history ā Dominique Wilkins holds the record at 30. His first dunk of the night, a reverse 360ish one hander, earned a 41.
After the dunk contest, Howard said: āWe know Kobe is watching over us. Weāre grateful, thankful that he gave us some great knowledge. Very appreciative of the time we got to spend with Kobe Bryant.ā
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