The Los Angeles Lakers are really bringing back “Showtime” on Sunday against the Dallas Mavericks.

Lakers center Dwight Howard threw down a spectacular alley-oop over Dallas' 7'4″ center, Boban Marjanovic after going up top to secure the lob from Los Angeles point guard Rajon Rondo:

There was a time where Howard was regarded as arguably the most athletic player in the league given his height, reach and jumping abilities. But he is doing well to remind fans that he still has plenty of bounce.

The former Slam Dunk champion has been a big part of this Laker team that has become more polished and refined due in part to veteran players like Howard.

Los Angeles ranks second in the NBA in terms of defensive rating, according to Basketball-Reference. Howard has certainly been a big part of that, averaging 1.5 blocks in 20.3 minutes per contest. Howard, JaVale McGee and Davis help to form one of the most imposing front lines in basketball.

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Howard's renaissance is a welcome sight in Hollywood, especially after his last showing. The former Defensive Player of the Year was essentially exiled from L.A. after a failed “Big Three” experiment alongside Steve Nash and Kobe Bryant in 2013.

But with the Lakers needing help in the frontcourt following an injury to DeMarcus Cousins, they turned to Howard. Despite some skepticism about his motivation and attitude, he has been a perfect fit for a defensive-minded coach like Frank Vogel.

Unfortunately for Howard and the Lakers, the theatrics have been the only positives on Sunday. Los Angeles trailed Dallas by 12 with just over two minutes to go in the third quarter.