Links: SLAM 118 Out Now
It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Dwight Howard!
The other day in the office, Khalid and I were talking about the All-NBA team. We were specifically talking about the center position, and about how even though Garnett and Duncan each really play center, neither of them is listed as a center in the box scores, so maybe they shouldn’t be allow to make the team as centers.
“Besides,” I said, “Dwight’s actually a center and he’s pretty ridiculous.”
How ridiculous? Look at his stats — he averages more defensive rebounds per game than Garnett does total rebounds. Dwight’s playing on the highest level he’s ever played, and as the NBA commercial notes, he’s still just 22.
Dwight’s still improving, but at the same time, he’s arrived. And it was time for SLAM to get up with him.
Dwight’s first SLAM cover was when he was in high school, and then again his second year in the “come-up issue.” But since then, nothing. So we wanted to flip it, and flip it real good.
As for the concept, well, you guys saw the dunk contest. We wanted to play off of that, and we wanted to create a cover that showed just how physically dominant Dwight is right now. Also, we wanted to reflect how since All-Star Weekend, Dwight was in another level of celebrity. So let’s make him fly, OK?
Once we got Dwight on board with the idea, we had to figure out how to make it happen. Since Dwight’s in Orlando, we called Universal Studios and got in touch with some special effects experts, and the next thing you know we had rented a photo studio in Orlando and had Dwight hanging from the roof by a bunch of wires. (And then we came up with the idea to have Dwight wrap around to the back of the cover, which our regular back cover advertiser adidas embraced as well.)
I wrote the story in the magazine, which isn’t really a story like you’re used to seeing — go buy a copy and you’ll see what I mean. And in the story I wanted to communicate what a force Dwight is becoming on and off the floor. When I met him, he was 18 years old and was getting ready to go to his senior prom. Today, Dwight has a new lucrative six-year extension with adidas which includes signature product and footwear. Dwight signed a multi-year agreement with vitaminwater (which included immediate benefits from stock options after Glaceau was purchased by the Coca-Cola Company). Dwight agreed to a partnership with Midway Games to be featured as their cover athlete for “NBA Ballers-The Chosen One” and will also be included in upcoming projects. In addition, Dwight signed a multi-year deal with Spalding, is a spokesman for Papa Johns Pizza and will soon announce a partnership with a major entertainment company.
Obviously, Dwight’s come a long way. When I was interviewing him for the story, I asked him if winning the dunk contest had taken him to another level as far as people really understanding who he is and wants to be.
“I think it did,” Dwight said. “People got to see some of my personality. I think a lot of people didn’t really think that I had a personality — they thought I was just a regular big dude, always serious. I wanted people to see that I love to have fun myself, to entertain and be entertained.”
Hopefully this cover helps. Also, there’s a lot of good stuff in this issue, from an essay by everyone’s favorite blogger Rod Benson to a Q&A with some guy named Larry Bird. It hits newsstands this weekend/early next week. Go out and get it!
118 Responses to “Links: SLAM 118 Out Now”
Apr.4 at 1:06 am
tealish says:
I didn’t dig Dwight’s dunk, especially the Superman one which was way overhyped.. with that said, the extended cover does look awesome.
Apr.4 at 1:35 am
Ryan says:
I agree. The Superman dunk was overhyped. Gerald Green should have taken the contest again. But still the fact he got his nickname from it made it memorable, its cool he knows how to have a little fun, and the cover looks amazing for 118.
Apr.4 at 1:48 am
Justin Adler says:
Wow. This is a really sick cover. Nice work and I can’t wait to read the article. I’m just curious did you touch on Dwight’s kid on the way at all?
Apr.4 at 1:54 am
Dane says:
whooo, this cover looks like one of the best SLAM has produced! and ive seen em since 97′.
dwight howard is the next gen type playa, raw power. love the new cover SLAM, good looking.
Apr.4 at 2:00 am
Captain America says:
A bit misleading comparison, KG total rebounds are defensive ones. KG doesn’t get many offensive rebounds per game.
Apr.4 at 2:10 am
crack says:
epic cover, probably the best you guys have done but the superman dunk wasen’t even a dunk!! if air up there(mr720) dunked like howard dunked the superman he could have gotten 1080 instead of 720
Apr.4 at 2:12 am
Hubert says:
so did adidas double-pay for this issue? thankfully you guys DID NOT apply the red cape and S tanktop he wore during the contest
Apr.4 at 2:23 am
thesubwayconnection says:
FREAKING AWESOME. That is all.
Apr.4 at 2:34 am
namik says:
Great cover y’all. It was the best layup in the history of the SDC so I guess that deserves a cover. Seriously though, its about time D12 got another cover. Why is Shawn Marion in so many issues. Wasn’t he in the Kobe issue? Articles about him are always the same because dude is the same. Same issues, same gripe and now his team sucks.
Apr.4 at 2:50 am
Bigi says:
Me Like…
Apr.4 at 2:56 am
Hubert says:
wait ’til next season namik
Apr.4 at 3:41 am
peteb80 says:
Fantastic cover, but I guess it means the Magic won’t see the second round of the play-offs this year.
Apr.4 at 3:46 am
albie1kenobi says:
simply a ground breaking cover/back cover.
and for people complaining about the superman non-dunk, yeah technically it’s not a dunk, but the sheer showmanship/entertainment value/wow factor is one of the all time best. the best dunk was his behind the backboard dunk, but everyone WILL remember the superman throw down from years to come.
Apr.4 at 4:24 am
niQ says:
thats a great cover! good job! can’t wait to receive the copy!
Apr.4 at 4:43 am
Tariq says:
For the second straight year, a superhero cover right before the playoffs. I like this budding tradition.
Apr.4 at 5:33 am
mikey says:
Cover looks…..fly
Although I think the last issue was pretty thin, I miss the SLAM magazine that had features on about 8 NBA players and was double the size (and half the price) that it is now.
Apr.4 at 5:34 am
Andy says:
Ok, technically, it wasn’t a dunk. But, can you seriously call it a lay-up? That seems to be an extremely harsh description. It’s not like he flipped it in. He threw it down. Oh, and best cover ever. That is all.
Apr.4 at 7:46 am
reggie35 says:
I only recieved 117 a couple of days ago and already 118 is out,I suppose it’ll be nearly a month before it arrives;-(
Apr.4 at 7:47 am
Ryan Jones says:
Also, he makes babies.
Apr.4 at 7:52 am
FLUXLAND says:
Odd to see the tough guy face when he is always smiling. Or is that just for the SLAM covers?
–
Congrats to Beckham… 1 goal 1 assist $250M. Thats Koncak money right there. Unreal.
Apr.4 at 8:02 am
FLUD says:
Man… No pleasing some folks. Great cover. Can’t wait to get it.
Apr.4 at 8:04 am
hursty says:
great cover. not so great is getting a magazine 2 months after it was relevant in Aus. last cover was Bron 3 weeks ago. so were missing the next one. Also, how come this says 118 on the links but the picture annotation on the slam homepage is 119? i dont even know what 117 is. just venting.
Apr.4 at 8:36 am
Cheryl says:
Love the cover. I’m looking forward to seeing mine in the mail.
Apr.4 at 8:38 am
riggs says:
btw dope cover, the way is body is positioned looks awkward though.
i just got my mike beasley slam a few weeks ago
Apr.4 at 8:48 am
DRPend says:
It’s decent. You guys are getting better every cover. But what will be the cover come playoff time? choices choices. play wit it.
Apr.4 at 8:48 am
Eboy says:
No cape?
Apr.4 at 9:09 am
Dan says:
SICK!
Apr.4 at 9:10 am
Gerwin says:
Silence……
Dope cover people! I agree with Eboy; where’s the cape?
Apr.4 at 9:10 am
MSkittle says:
Awesome cover! It’s about time you guys did a Dwight cover again!
Apr.4 at 9:38 am
Holly MacKenzie says:
I love the wraparound cover, definitely makes Dwight seem “larger than life”. Looking forward to reading your piece, Lang. You’ve got me curious now. As for the “Come Fly With Me”? That makes me smile every single time I hear it. Thanks, MJ.
Apr.4 at 9:40 am
Candyman says:
Man, that’s nice. What slam should do is do a Mike Miller cover or at least something on him! Even Wade said Mike “Girl Hair” Miller was underrated. This guy gets NO RESPECT and it’s only because of his haircut. (and the fact he plays for a bad team with Kwame Brown)
Apr.4 at 10:18 am
Alpha-bet says:
Nice idea with this..cover looks cold..
Apr.4 at 10:33 am
andacagar says:
When talking pure centers he is the best. No knock on him but there arent many good centers out there beside him, Yao, Chandler and Camby. Lets see if the young bucks like Oden and Bynum can step it up.
Apr.4 at 10:36 am
Joel O's says:
Wow. That was crazy. Now I’m gonna be compulsively scouring Toronto’s 7-11s and convenience stores everyday for the next 2 weeks.
Apr.4 at 10:46 am
Ben Osborne says:
Glad people like it. Mikey, the size of this one is solid…LOTS of good features, NBA and otherwise. Regarding the price, the LEAST SLAM ever cost was $3.95, in 1994, so today’s 4.99 i hardly “double.” Thanks Lang and go Dwight!
Apr.4 at 10:56 am
Eboy says:
Is it me or is Dwight giving off more of a Neo/Matrix vibe than a Superman one? Maybe he needed a long black trench and sunglasses. Also extremely cool how the wraparound ties right into the adidas ad for Dwight’s shoes. That’s efficiency at at it’s best.
Apr.4 at 11:09 am
DennLive says:
Where’s the desktop background quality pics…I loved that from when slamonline first started…you need to bring that back. I’d love to get this pic of Dwight as a background…Make it happen….Please….
Apr.4 at 11:21 am
Myles Brown says:
Good idea…
Apr.4 at 11:22 am
BallaHolic says:
OVERHYPED…just like that freaking annoying Soulja Boy song…
Apr.4 at 11:34 am
Jess says:
sick cover..can’t wait till I get mine..
Apr.4 at 11:43 am
tony b says:
Yes wallpapers without the lettering. Please?
Apr.4 at 11:57 am
Adam Fleischer says:
Sick cover. One thing that still gets me though…HE DIDNT DUNK THE BALL! What Dwight did was still absolutely ridiculous and left me in awe, but I’ve been a little confused from the get go why the fact that he didn’t actually complete the dunk never really mattered. That said…Dwight, you’re the man; SLAM, you’re the mag.
Apr.4 at 12:00 pm
Rubens says:
(for comic book geeks) so what now? shaq’s the superman from earth-2 and dwight’is the one from earth-1… btw… great cover
Apr.4 at 12:02 pm
k.o. says:
i’m feeling the idea, but dwight looks kinda stiff - seems sorta obvious he wasn’t really moving. still the story sounds dope, lookin forward to finding this one in the mailbox
Apr.4 at 12:04 pm
Big L says:
Thank you for giving Dwight another cover. I’m glad he finally caught up with Telfair.
Apr.4 at 12:08 pm
RV says:
great cover
Apr.4 at 12:14 pm
ciolkstar says:
Enough with the Superman Dunk / not a dunk argument. Its a contest about showmanship and athleticism. Dwight smashed the scales on both. The flex at the peak of that jump is one of the sickest things I have ever seen though.
Apr.4 at 12:17 pm
ciolkstar says:
Not being a hater but I think some of yall are over reacting to how dope the cover is. Its nice but a little too much on the CGI tip, D12 does look stiff, and where’s the smile. Oh I forgot, “no smiling on SLAM covers” (unless your AI and Melo)
Apr.4 at 12:20 pm
Kobe24Bryant says:
sick
4 shrrrrr
Apr.4 at 12:27 pm
DeMarco says:
As the writer for Dwight’s last cover story, I must humbly say that this one looks 3X sicker. Helluva job, folks!
Apr.4 at 12:36 pm
dma says:
sick!
Apr.4 at 12:54 pm
Ben Osborne says:
I believe Lang is working on updating desktop patterns, including one of these. And for those wondering, Dwight was indeed flying, or at least hanging from a ceiling. The issue has a couple behind-the-scenes pics that will give you a better idea what an operation this was.
Apr.4 at 1:02 pm
$HARP $HOOTER says:
cant wait to get it in the mail….
Apr.4 at 1:03 pm
H to the izzo says:
No disrespect to Dwight,but I’m looking forward to the Larry Bird interview more.Great concept.Now,I must till I get the Beasely issue first.
Apr.4 at 1:04 pm
H to the izzo says:
And that was one helluva lay up.
Apr.4 at 1:11 pm
albie1kenobi says:
people, if you are gonna keep on insisting it wasn’t a dunk (and it wasn’t), don’t call it a lay up - call it a LAY DOWN. it was going downward when i watched it, unless you have some special angle to see the ball going up.
Apr.4 at 1:12 pm
H to the izzo says:
albie:I couldn’t care less about a dunk contest,I was looking for a reaction,thank you.
Apr.4 at 1:16 pm
albie1kenobi says:
i absolutely believe this photoshoot was an operation. i mean, wire-hanging this gigantic 747?
also a fun fact: the picture in the background (if i’m not mistaken) is the night scene in Hong Kong, the origin of all the wire-hanging kung fun movies.
Apr.4 at 1:17 pm
albie1kenobi says:
AJ, i was talking to the other people. i know full well you were messing around.
Apr.4 at 1:55 pm
Dizzy says:
Wonder if people are gonna find somethng racist about this cover…anyway can’t wait to get this issue…nice cover
Apr.4 at 2:21 pm
Garett says:
Regarding the price of SLAM, you shouldn’t really be complaining. It’s probably almost cheaper now than originally, considering inflation within the the past 14 years. Except if you live in Canada, and still have to pay the “Canadian” price of 5.99, even though our dollar is equal now to the US.
Apr.4 at 2:33 pm
Chris O'Leary says:
It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s the dopest SLAM cover ever. Dwight almost looks too big for the cover. Papa John’s is some good pizza. I like the little pepper that comes with it.
Apr.4 at 2:41 pm
Alex says:
Rodddd Benson mah boy!
Apr.4 at 3:00 pm
Bendreizehn says:
Dope Cover!!! Nice work guys!!!
Apr.4 at 3:15 pm
Paps says:
This is the first time I’ve seen Dwight not be smiling. Is it me or does it not look like him? I know is him but it’s a an odd angle and the scowl face throws me off.
Apr.4 at 3:20 pm
andrew says:
new issue???i have not recieved the gordon cover yet
Apr.4 at 4:01 pm
Ian says:
that cover is crazy major props 2 slam
Apr.4 at 4:40 pm
chris says:
How dare you reference that title! Im speaking of that Jordan movie from back in the day which is now on all those collectors edition 3 dvd sets. I loved the dunk and everything but come on SLAM, i thought you were better then that!
Apr.4 at 4:41 pm
BxBaller says:
That cover is awesome, can’t wait till I get my copy in the mail. Great job Slam.
Apr.4 at 5:01 pm
Bryant Reeves says:
This is so racist. Playing off the image of the flying black man. You should be ashamed.
Apr.4 at 5:49 pm
Young Chris #3 says:
Big Country is funny.
Apr.4 at 6:37 pm
Adrian Zapata says:
sweet cover, although i agree it wasnt a dunk. But it is a REALLY awesome cover.
Apr.4 at 6:51 pm
Gerard Himself says:
awesome cover (nice title too, was my favorite MJ video back then)
Apr.4 at 7:03 pm
Gerard Himself says:
And Bird and Benson? Nice!
Apr.4 at 8:11 pm
Crook says:
WOW, the only thing missing is the cape. His superman dunk wasn’t a dunk but the showmanship made up for it. Larry Legend is in the new ish so I might not wait until it comes in the mail. Celtics #17
Apr.4 at 9:34 pm
Eddy says:
The superman dunk was technically a dunk … The definition of a dunk is a shot thrown downward through the basket, with one or two hands. (which is why D-Howard did) Nowhere does it say the hands needs to touch the rim, though that’s what people recognize a dunk as.
Apr.4 at 11:16 pm
tom fary says:
when is amare gonna be on a cover his stats are amazing lately.
Apr.4 at 11:16 pm
tom fary says:
when is amare gonna be on a cover his stats are amazing lately.
Apr.5 at 12:42 am
DP says:
I’m not going to lie, I didn’t like this sh*t. But the more I look at it, the more it captures my attention. This is one of the most creative covers you guys have ever made and I must but the hateration to rest. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING SOMEONE NEW ON THE COVER FOR A CHANGE. just venting. play wit it.
Apr.5 at 2:32 am
TMT says:
Nice Jordan reference….
Apr.5 at 2:32 am
mustard says:
loving the hong kong skyline in the background
Apr.5 at 4:44 am
tony b says:
So SLAM enjoys hanging black men from ceilings on their front cover huh? tsk tsk….
Apr.5 at 7:55 am
Darksaber says:
Like Kenny would say, “it’s sick, SICK. It’s got the flu!!!”
One of the best covers you guys have ever had, cudos. Up there with the MJ black/white facial cover, the Nowitzki / Shaq “sin city” covers (thanx for the jinxes Slammers, appreciated) and lightyears ahead of Gary Payton squatting and ummm, barking?
Apr.5 at 8:17 am
hursty says:
still havent got 117 in aus.
Apr.5 at 8:31 am
memyselfand9 says:
great cover.
Apr.5 at 10:30 am
Drowzee#096 says:
I dont get wot is racist about it. Someone shed sum light on dis please
Apr.5 at 11:38 am
Paps says:
Drowzee#096 The racist part is a joke.
Apr.5 at 2:01 pm
jconn says:
im jus excited for the DJ Augustin covergae-thanks!
Apr.5 at 2:05 pm
FLUXLAND says:
Paps.. that’s what I said about him not smiling…it doesn’t look right.It’s a SLAM thing.. they have to have these THUG LIFE faces on in order to make the cover. The Superman pose in nothing new either.. KG had a similar Adidas ad a few years back. KG was reaching for the ball though.
Apr.5 at 7:09 pm
AK47 says:
Friiiiiday??????????????
Apr.6 at 2:04 am
Thomas says:
I think there has been some plagerism from the Michael Jordan era.
Apr.6 at 8:02 am
Kieran says:
nice cover guys! my all nba team…
Chris Paul
Kobe Bryant
Lebron James
Amare Stoudamire
Dwight Howard
dont think there can be much argument bout that!
Apr.6 at 11:03 am
Orlando says:
ok I am not going to read all the comments, but I read the two first one, maybe someone replied, but to say that his dunks were overhyped and that Green should have one, that is just nonsense, the tap of the glass dunk is in the top 5 dunks of all time. Do you know how long he has to stay up there to complete that MJ could not have done that, maybe Nique and Carter, but that’s it…
Apr.6 at 8:21 pm
Alex says:
Dwight Howard is the best center in the NBA right now
Apr.6 at 8:37 pm
we dem hornets says:
i love dwight howard..but the dude is on roids
Apr.6 at 11:09 pm
jconn says:
DJ Augustin=most slept on point guard, watch out!
Apr.6 at 11:29 pm
LordGef says:
Dwight is the man, but what got me excited about this cover is in the upper-left corner, where it says “Rasheed Wallace.”
Apr.7 at 5:34 am
hursty says:
then theres rafer alston…..TMAC poster! YEH!!! (and p2)
Apr.7 at 6:00 am
hursty says:
Marion was in the Bron Bron issue…. ironic that Slam did a story on him as a sun just before the trade…. ah memories.
Apr.7 at 6:07 am
hursty says:
hope the Sheed stuff is good…. 100
Apr.7 at 9:19 am
data187 says:
the sin city covers were the best ones ever…but this one is a close second.
Apr.7 at 11:56 am
Andrew says:
PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THE SUPERMMAN DUNK AS A “DUNK”.
Apr.8 at 3:41 am
kruges says:
unbelievable cover….its way 2 long since an inventive cover like this…also to ‘ryan’ who said gerald shoulda won…dude did basically the same dunk twice in a row and came up with nothing original compared to dwight..
nyways great work here slam
Apr.8 at 12:50 pm
Galo says:
“It’s a bird, it’s a plane, recognize Johnny Blaze ain’t a damn thing changed.”
Apr.8 at 6:08 pm
Drowzee#096 says:
‘Paps says:
Drowzee#096 The racist part is a joke.’ oh okay my bad.
Apr.9 at 3:29 pm
SLAM ONLINE | » SLAM’s Finals Predictions says:
[…] As the Dwight issue trickles across the country, people will be reading our staff’s annual predictions for the Finals. I thought I’d run this year’s as much for entertainment as “expertise.” I make light of it because last season we were a whopping 0-for-8, with six of us picking the Mavs and two picking the Suns. And in ‘06, nine people made picks and not a one had the Heat. In our defense, we turn in our picks in mid-March, more than a month before the Playoffs start. There is a little diversity amongst the choices this year; hopefully enough that at least one of us is right. And if we’re not, I’m sure some of you will be quick to remind us. […]
Apr.13 at 5:07 pm
andrew says:
can’t wait for this issue
Apr.13 at 9:43 pm
Lakers4life says:
when does it come out for the subscribers?
Apr.13 at 11:59 pm
Taylor says:
where are the answers for the crossword puzzle????
Apr.17 at 7:39 pm
Luke says:
WHERE ARE THE CROSSWORD ANSWERS??
Apr.20 at 6:37 am
simoun says:
hey!!! nice work to put the hong kong background. my hood!!!! but im filipino.
Apr.23 at 9:29 pm
PISSED OFF says:
IF I DONT GET THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS IM GONNA SWI TCH TO HOOP
Apr.23 at 9:29 pm
PISSED OFF says:
IF I DONT GET THE CROSSWORD PUZZLE ANSWERS IM GONNA SWI TCH TO HOOP
Apr.23 at 9:30 pm
PISSED OFF says:
WRONG BUTTON HIT IT TWICE
Apr.28 at 2:21 am
not the only one pissed off says:
You can’t publish in the magazine that i used to love, that you’ll be putting the answers up on the site and not do it….especially when your making up words (i know u are, cos i’ve been stuck for days)…..basically I TOO WILL SWITCH TO HOOP IF I DONT SEE SOME ANSWERS
Apr.28 at 11:26 am
Forreal says:
Forreal yo. That crossword has been driving me crazy. I NEED THOSE ANSWERS
May.20 at 8:28 pm
Alfred says:
Is there anyway that we can get a wallpaper of the greatest cover of Slam of all time ? In the old days you guys had all these great pictures on your website. Please make one exception with this picture. Greetings from the Netherlands, home of Elson
Jul.11 at 11:30 am
SLAM ONLINE | » Links: SLAM 121 On Sale Now says:
[…] The issue of SLAM that we produce each year just after the Finals is probably the toughest issue we do each year. Because we’re coming off back to back to back to back issues, with very little turnaround time in between, and usually with some kind of special issue squeezed in there, too. (This year was no different with the special issues.) From All-Star until the Finals, we’re on the run, eatin’, non-stop, which doesn’t even account for this here website and all the posts and commotion we generate. Then we get out and cover the Finals all-out, and then the Draft comes right after that. And in between the end of the Finals and the Draft, there’s always one last issue to put together: The Champs issue. After the champs issue, we know we’ve finally got a break coming before we get to our Kicks issue, so we’re literally fiending to finish the issue. […]