In 2004, Dwight Howard was the #1 pick in the NBA Draft. He struggled in the postseason by defeats against the Detroit Pistons. However, he didn’t face the “bad boys” from Motor City. He faced the consensus “best player in the league” and a 67-win Cavaliers squad untested and unchallenged.

But after tonight, Superman took down LeBron James. Superman put away the puppet. He shut down one-half of the Nike duo with a destructive 103-90 victory!

Howard accumulated 40 points, 17 rebounds and six assists. Lebron (who gave an early exit) was held to 22 points (only one the fourth quarter) on 8-20 shooting. Rashard Lewis had 18. Michael Petris added 16. Altogether, the Magic used their potent, three-point bombardment (landing 14) and shelled the Cavaliers into submission.

There was no last shot with .01 to go for King James. There was no disqualification by Howard from foul trouble. And, there was no appearance by “the master of panic”. But, Coach Stan Van Gundy did appear and outcoached and outmaneuvered Cleveland’s Mike Brown.

Lebron had help from Delonte West, Maurice Williams and Anderson Varejo. They all scored in double figures averaging 12-18 points each. It was he, “the King” and now “the Pauper” who failed in another fourth quarter in this series.

Howard overthrew “King” James. In his next battle, he must cut the head off a very, deadly “Black Mamba”.