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SLAMMIN' GOOD TIME

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 15, 2008

There is no denying the NBA Slam Dunk Contest lacks the star power of its early years, when Julius Erving, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins wowed the crowd with never-before-seen dunks.

That said, the competition, having grown stale of late, could be on the rise again.

The four contestants are using the Internet - YouTube in particular - to generate more hoopla for Saturday night's competition (8:30, TNT) in New Orleans.

Minnesota's Gerald Green, Memphis' Rudy Gay, Orlando's Dwight Howard and Toronto's Jamario Moon have taken their campaigns online in an effort to generate support and raise the anticipation level.

At 6-foot-11, Howard will attempt to become the tallest dunk champion; Larry Nance (6-10) was the winner in the inaugural competition in 1984.

After the first round of dunks, the panel of judges - Erving, Wilkins, Magic Johnson and Karl Malone - will determine which two players advance to the final.

After the final round, fans can vote by text message or on NBA.com to determine the winner.

Here is a primer:
GERALD GREEN
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

AGE: 22

DUNK HISTORY: 2007 champion

DUNKS THIS SEASON: 6

OF NOTE: The only other back-to-back winners were Jason Richardson in 2002 and '03 and Michael Jordan in 1987 and '88.

QUOTE OF NOTE: "Going back to defend something is always a blessing, and it's fun to go out and defend it. I heard I'm the underdog this year, so that gives me a little motivation."
RUDY GAY
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES

AGE: 21

DUNK HISTORY: First Slam Dunk Contest
DUNKS THIS SEASON: 65

OF NOTE: After being picked for the event, he went on YouTube and asked fans to submit dunk ideas and promised to use the best one at the competition.

QUOTE OF NOTE: "I've got something they haven't seen before. If they've seen it, I'm going to be upset."

DWIGHT HOWARD

ORLANDO MAGIC

AGE: 22

DUNK HISTORY: 2007 (eliminated in first round)

DUNKS THIS SEASON: 185

OF NOTE: In last year's contest, he reached nearly to the top of the backboard and slapped a sticker bearing his face onto the glass. It was measured at 12 feet, 6 inches off the ground.

QUOTE OF NOTE: "Rudy Gay is going to be in it, Gerald Green, those are some high flyers. Being the tallest, 6-11, I've got to do something real spectacular to win."
JAMARIO MOON
TORONTO RAPTORS

AGE: 27

DUNK HISTORY: First Slam Dunk Contest
DUNKS THIS SEASON: 38

OF NOTE: Before finally making it to the NBA this season, he did a stint with the Harlem Globetrotters.

QUOTE OF NOTE: "I got a couple of secret dunks. Notice I said 'secret' because a lot of people are trying to get me to tell 'em what they are. I promise you, they'll love 'em."
GERALD GREEN RUDY GAY
DWIGHT HOWARD

JAMARIO MOON

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