Orlando Magic Daily
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Ranking the Orlando Magic’s best performances at the All-Star Game

By Philip Rossman-Reich

CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - FEBRUARY 17: Bradley Beal #3 of the Washington Wizards and Team LeBron shoots against Nikola Vu?evi? #9 of the Orlando Magic and Team Giannis during the NBA All-Star game as part of the 2019 NBA All-Star Weekend at Spectrum Center on February 17, 2019 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Team LeBron won 178-164. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic jumps wearing a Superman Cape in the Sprite Slam-Dunk Contest at the New Orleans Arena during the 2008 NBA All-Star Weekend February 16, 2008 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Howard won the contest with his series of dunks. AFP PHOTO TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images) /

11. 2009 Dwight Howard

13 points, 9 rebounds, 3 blocks

10. 2008 Dwight Howard

16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 steals, 7/7 FGs

9. 2010 Dwight Howard

17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks, 7/10 FGs

Dwight Howard’s three biggest All-Star Games all followed a relatively similar pattern.

His second All-Star game in 2008 was similar to his first. He went up for a few lobs and gobbled up any rebounds around the basket for easy put backs. That is life as a center in the NBA All-Star Game. No one is going to run a ton of straight post-ups. If you roll hard and attack the offensive glass, it is easy to put up points.

That was largely Howard’s game in these All-Star Games. At least, back when he was still an impressionable youth trying to prove his worth to the very best players in the league. This was Howard trying to establish himself as one of the best players on the biggest stage. And maybe pick up a few more marketing opportunities in the process.

Howard became a fixture at All-Star Weekend through the course of these weekends — including his Dunk Contest win donning the Superman cape in New Orleans. Both for his antics and the presence of his play.

Yes, Howard would joke around and take a few 3-pointers in these games. He was there to have fun, after all.

But largely Howard looked to block a few shots early to display his defensive athleticism in a game that had little to do with defense. And then run the floor on the fast break, catch lobs off pick and rolls and clean up misses for easy points.