The Legend of the Sticker

Henry Abbott reports on the meaning of the sticker Dwight Howard slapped on the backboard during Saturday night's slam dunk contest.

A photographer with a telephoto lens helped me get a good look at that sticker, and in addition to a pre-printed image of Howard's face, his initials, and his number, there was handwritten marker. Not too big. In fact, even with the lens it was very tough to read.

In this life, you always have to read the fine print. And the fine print on that sticker made clear that Howard, at least, doesn't believe he did it alone.

"All things through Christ" Howard had written in marker. Then "Phil 4:13." That's Philippians 4:13.

Asked about it, Howard recited in a heartbeat: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Strengtheneth indeed.

(Howard went straight from a Christian academy to the pros, hence the fondness for scripture.)

Indeed, the sticker dunk will be known just as much for its rebuke as its execution. Brothers Michael and Julius' goblets were filled with haterade and they drank forth.