NBA All-Star Weekend is just about 10 days away and while there had been reports about him participating, the NBA officially announced that Los Angeles Lakers center Dwight Howard will be one of four participants in the 2020 All-Star Slam Dunk Contest that will take place on Feb. 15.
Howard won the Dunk Contest in 2008 and last participated in the contest back in 2009. His participation in the Dunk Contest no doubt marks another checkpoint in one of the league’s best redemption stories as Howard has gone from pariah to fan favorite in less than a season.
Howard will be joined in the contest by Orlando’s Aaron Gordon, who was a runner-up in the epic 2016 contest with Zach LaVaine, while Miami’s Derrick Jones Jr. will make his second appearance. Milwaukee’s Pat Connaughton will be making his first appearance in the dunk contest as he looks to become the first Bucks player to win the contest.
With Connaughton and Howard in particular, their All-Star Captain teammates in Giannis Antetokounmpo and LeBron James can’t be written off from making a Saturday night appearance.
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