The Minnesota Timberwolves? Gerald Green will defend his crown in the 2008 Sprite Slam Dunk competition to be held on NBA All-Star  Saturday  Night Feb. 16, at New Orleans Arena (8 p.m. ET on TNT). Green will compete against two first-time entrants: the Memphis Grizzlies? Rudy Gay and former D-Leaguer Jamario Moon of the Toronto Raptors, as well as the Orlando Magic?s Dwight Howard, who competed in the 2007 contest.  

For  the first time, fans will have the final say in deciding the winner of the  Sprite Slam Dunk competition. Following the concluding round of dunks, fans will be able to cast their votes via SMS TXT message and at NBA.com to determine  this  year?s winner.  The dunker with the most fan votes will be named  the  winner of the Sprite Slam Dunk. A panel of judges will continue to  play  a  key  role by determining which two participants advance to the final  round. During the final round, each judge?s vote will count the same as a fan vote.  

Last  year  in  Las  Vegas,  Green,  then  a  member of the Boston Celtics, outlasted  defending  champion Nate Robinson of the New York Knicks for the Sprite  Slam  Dunk  championship. Green tallied the three highest scores of the  night,  including  a  perfect  score  of  50  on  his final dunk as he windmilled while hurdling an All-Star table.  

Golden  State?s  Jason  Richardson  was the last player to win back-to-back Sprite Slam Dunk titles, capturing the 2002 and 2003 competitions. The only previous  repeat  Slam  Dunk champion was Chicago?s Michael Jordan, who won the 1987 and 1988 contests.  

The  dunker  with  the lowest total score from the first round will compete first  in  the final round. Dunks then will alternate until each player has completed  two.   Time limit rules still apply. After the four finals dunks are  completed,  fan  voting  polls  will  open  via SMS TXT message and at NBA.com. Each judge will then provide commentary on the dunkers and hold up a  placard with his vote for the winner. The judge?s votes will be combined with the SMS TXT and NBA.com votes to determine the champion.