Howard tries

to become a

2-time winner

GEOFFREY C. ARNOLD

PHOENIX --When Rudy Fernandez participates in the NBA's annual dunk contest tonight, he'll serve as a reminder of why the event has experienced a recent rebirth in popularity.

Fernandez is not a particularly gifted jumper by NBA standards. In fact, he's probably better at three-point shooting, another All-Star event tonight. But the Trail Blazers guard is known for his creative flair, and he'll be the first international player to participate in the dunk contest.

More than anything, the NBA uses All-Star weekend to continue to build its global image as a showcase for the world's best and most creative players.

International players expect Fernandez's participation to increase viewership of the dunk contest in Europe.

"It's always been one of the main things people want to watch. It's real spectacular and a big part of the weekend," said Pau Gasol, the Los Angeles Lakers' All-Star forward, who also is from Spain. "Obviously, with Rudy participating, I'm pretty sure that Spain will be really into it, following it and watching it."

A few years ago, the NBA considered eliminating the dunk competition from All-Star weekend. Critics labeled it boring and unimaginative, and it became downright sloppy when eventual champion Nate Robinson missed 19 dunk attempts in two rounds during the 2006 competition.

However, thanks to Dwight Howard's ingenious and inventive dunks in the past two contests, the competition has been revived by new rules that limit misses and by players who have pushed the difficulty level of dunks to new heights. The 5.2 million viewers who watched the U.S. broadcast on TNT last year was a record, and tonight's telecast is expected to come close to the ratings of Sunday's All-Star Game, which attracted 6.3 million U.S. viewers last year.

Like Fernandez, Howard wasn't considered a traditional dunk contest participant. Sure, he could jump. But he's 6-foot-11, and the traditional school of thought was that fans would rather see shorter players soar than big men overpower the rim.

Then Howard won over fans with creative antics such as slapping a sticker depicting his face on the top of the backboard and wearing a Superman outfit.

Howard said he has more surprises that he won't reveal until tonight.

"I'm trying to decide what character I'll be during the dunk contest. We've got 'Sho Nuff' and 'Spiderman,' " said Howard, referring to the kung fu villain from "The Last Dragon" and the comic book superhero.

Howard is attempting to become the fifth two-time winner after Dominique Wilkins, Michael Jordan, Harold Miner and Jason Richardson.

"I'm not gonna tell y'all (media) everything. But I will tell y'all this. Do you like phone booths? Like a real phone booth? I'm gonna keep it at that."

If Fernandez expects to make a serious run at winning tonight's contest, his repertoire of dunks had better include something totally different and never --or at least rarely --seen before.

Before Howard won as Superman last year, Gerald Green blew out a candle stuck in a cupcake sitting on the rim before dunking to win the 2007 contest.

"You need to come up with something new, that's what I'm looking for," said former Blazer Clyde Drexler, who was a judge in the 2006 contest and competed in the event five times during his playing career. "Then it's the creativity, elevation and the power in which the ball goes down."

Fernandez was selected by fans to participate, with the other three contestants picked by the NBA. He will face stiff competition in the contest from those players, all with previous experience in the event.

Howard is competing for the third consecutive year. Robinson won the contest three years ago and is competing for the third time. Denver guard J.R. Smith finished third in 2005. Smith is a late replacement for the injured Rudy Gay of Memphis.

The vertically challenged Robinson (5-foot-9) might carry an advantage into the competition.

"Seeing a guy as small as he is dunk the ball always excites the fans," said Oklahoma City's Desmond Mason, who won the contest in 2001. "He gives everyone inspiration because if he can dunk, just about anyone can."

Fernandez certainly has one factor figured out regarding the competition --keep every dunk under wraps until the contest begins.

"I not talk about the slam dunk," said Fernandez, placing his index finger over his lips. "It's a surprise."

Sources inside the Blazers' practice facility said Fernandez has at least three dunks that he hopes will impress the judges and, more importantly, the fans.

"He has a lot more stuff in his bag than people think," teammate Channing Frye said. "He might make something up on a whim."

Those same sources said the rookie guard apparently has a name for one of his dunks: "El Conquistador," which is expected to include a soccer move.

If Fernandez does that dunk, it could remind viewers -of Amare Stoudemire in 2005, when he threw down a dunk after receiving a soccer-inspired header pass from Steve Nash. The difference is Fernandez won't need assistance. Coming from Spain, where soccer is a near-religion, Fernandez might use his soccer skills to make the dunk happen.

Regardless of whether the dunk is a windmill, reverse or through-the-legs with one or two hands, Fernandez shouldn't forget the one element that is key to winning the contest.

"Just make your dunks," Robinson said. "If I make my dunks, I'm gonna win it."

Geoffrey C. Arnold: 503-221-8556;

geoffreyarnold@news.

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