The best dunkers in Orlando Magic history

Dwight Howard

Known as “Superman” for the time he was in Orlando, Dwight Howard competed in three consecutive NBA Dunk Contests. Howard won Orlando’s first NBA dunk contest in the 2008 season.

Till this day it remains the only dunk contest the Magic have won.

Dwight Howard participated in the 2007, 2008 and 2009 NBA Dunk Contest. Howard could not win his first competition in 2007 losing to Gerald Green. Howard though had the dunk of the night, touching near the top of the backboard and depositing a sticker on the backboard more than 12 feet above the floor.

Howard went on to compete in next year’s Dunk Contest. This is where “Superman” arrived.

Howard came into that year with a Superman-themed dunk, taking flight from the free throw line. He threw the ball through the hoop, giving him a perfect 50 and hte highlight of the evening.

Besides the dunk contest. “Superman” has had some really impressive dunks throughout his career with Orlando.

One of the biggest dunk coming from Dwight Howard was on Feb. 9, 2007, against the San Antonio Spurs. With the game tied, 104-104, with just 0.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Hedo Turkoglu threw an inbound alley-oop to Howard to take the 106-104 victory.

Critics complained Howard’s offense in his eight years in Orlando was largely dunks and simplistic post ups. That is all Howard needed. He set the tone with his athleticism and thunderous jams. For a big man, he had incredible grace as a dunker.