Dwight Howard Says He and Kobe Bryant Had Something Planned for All-Star Weekend's Dunk Contest
By Michael Luciano
The NBA is still reeling from the deaths of Kobe Bryant and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna in a helicopter crash that claimed the loves of seven others. Dwight Howard, a former teammate of Kobe's, who reconnected with him over the 2019-20 NBA season, is taking his passing hard given what he had planned for the Slam Dunk Contest.
Howard planed to get Kobe involved as a prop in one of his dunks, and his death was described by Howard as "heartbreaking."
Dealing with Kobe's tragic passing hasn't been easy for Dwight Howard. ? https://t.co/TWbKuiocD3 pic.twitter.com/8tHFD1P9re
— theScore (@theScore) February 5, 2020
Howard and Kobe famously clashed in 2012, Howard's first season as a Laker after coming over from the Orlando Magic. After bouncing around the league for the last few years, Howard resurfaced in LA as a backup and since mended fences with Bryant.
The All-Star Game won't be totally devoid of Bryant, however, given how both teams will wear either No. 24 or No. 2 to honor Kobe and Gianna.
The 2020 NBA All-Star game will pay tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant ?
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 31, 2020
? Team LeBron will wear No. 2 and Team Giannis will wear No. 24, their jersey numbers.
? Both teams will wear patches with 9 stars, representing those who lost their lives in the helicopter crash. pic.twitter.com/mgOCPpqJ65
One of the innumerable factors that makes Kobe's death so devastating was how connected he was with the NBA in retirement. Even in Chicago, the arena would have erupted in applause the moment Kobe stepped on that court. The best thing Howard can do to honor Kobe now is turn back the clock to his Orlando days and take home the dunk contest crown.