Chicago Bulls rookie point guard Derrick Rose won the NBA Skills Competition in Phoenix Saturday night, as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend festivities. The number one selection in the 2008 NBA Draft defeated New Jersey Nets point guard Devin Harris in the final round to clinch the win. Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams as well as San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker also participated in the event. They were both knocked out in the first round.
We will never know if Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant could have hung with Larry Bird and Michael Jordan in that famous commercial from back in the day (”through the window off the floor nothing but net“.) However Durant continued his success during the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend by winning the H.O.R.S.E. competition Saturday in Phoenix. Durant beat out Memphis Grizzlies rookie O.J. Mayo, and Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson to capture the crown. Friday Durant led the NBA Sophomores with 46 points, as they defeated the NBA Rookie Team.
When the NBA Three Point Challenge began Saturday night, Daequan Cook was certainly not looked at as the favorite to win the competition. In fact in a field of six NBA players, he was most likely thought to be eliminated in the first round. Toronto Raptors three point specialist Jason Kapono had taken the title two years running and again was expected to win the award.
Well Cook made it out of the first round, and Kapono never made it past the second, as the Miami Heat guard defeated the Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis to win the competition in Phoenix. Cook scored 19 points in the final round to win the event. Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, Atlanta Hawks guard Mike Bibby, and San Antonio Spurs guard Roger Mason were all eliminated in the first round.
Last year’s NBA Slam Dunk competition in New Orleans was magical, this year’s edition that took place Saturday night in Phoenix alas was not. Last year’s event brought back memories of the Doctor, MJ, and Dominique, this year’s evoked memories of Spud Webb. New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson in an all green Knickerbockers uniform (very strange) defeated last year’s Champion Dwight Howard by literally leaping over him to capture the 2009 NBA Slam Dunk Competition crown.
Going into this competition there was a feeling that it would take a lot to top last year’s theatrics, when the Orlando Magic center captivated the world dressed as Superman to get the title. This year seemed like a sequel to a movie that should never had been made. The special effects budget had increased, this year Howard had a phone booth (has anyone in the USA under the age of 30 ever seen a phone booth outside of the movies and or TV?) But it never recaptured the flair or the drama of last year.
Robinson won the crowds approval by jumping over the Magic center on his way to a dunk. J.R. Smith from the Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers rookie Rudy Fernandez were eliminated in the first round.
Typically during the Rookie-Sophomore games during the All-Star break, you pretty much know who is going to win. The Sophs’ roster typically is far superior to the Rookies’ and the end results bear that out as they have had won seven straight and eight of ten with this format, which began in 2000. Last year’s game was one in which the Rookies surprised the Sophomores.
Those Rookies were this year’s Sophomores, but unfortunately for them, they would suffer that noted “Sophomore jinx”. While both teams shot well north of 50 percent (the Rookies shot nearly 57% while the Sophs shot nearly 54%), the duo of Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans and San Antonio forward DeJuan Blair led the Rookies to the convincing 140-128 win over the Sophomores at the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge Friday night at American Airlines Center in Dallas, TX.
The Rookies led 55-45 with just under 4 minutes left in the first half when Evans converted a difficult scoop shot and converting the three-point play; the Sophomores would then score six consecutive points as Eric Gordon scored a basket, then a dunk off an assist from O.J. Mayo. Anthony Morrow scored on a reverse layup, but the first-timers got all those points back.
Brandon Jennings would drain a 3, Jonny Flynn drove for a layup and Jennings then scored on a breakaway layup, mking it 61-51. The largest lead for the Rookies during the first half was the halftime score of 67-55, courtesy of an Omri Casspi turnaround jumper.
The Rookies would reach the 100-point mark with more than ten minutes left in the game on a short floater by Jennings, giving the Rookies a 100-86 cushion; the newbies would coast from that point to the comfortable win.
Evans led six Rookies in scoring with 26 points, 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals while Blair, Jennings and James Harden scored 22 apiece – with Blair grabbing 23 rebounds and dishing out 4 assists while Jennings grabbed 6 rebounds, dished out 8 assists along with 4 steals; Harden grabbed 5 boards and dished out 2 assists.
The Sophomores were led by Russell Westbrook with a game-high 40 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while Michael Beasley added 26 with 7 rebounds and 2 assists; Morrow chipped in 15 with 3 rebounds, an assist and a steal.
Evans would get the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge MVP award for his efforts.
To win the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, the winner had to successfully make a layup, a chest, bounce and outlet pass through hoops, a jumper and then a dribble with a finishing layup.
Steve Nash tacked on a bit more at the start: Fly to Vancouver, carry the torch in the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games, fly to Dallas to practice for the Westen Conference All-Stars, then do the skills. All in a 24-hour-plus period.
Nash has never gone through an obstacle course like this, one that weaved through two countries and two sports. But if nothing else, Nash demonstrated once again how he’s able to defy age and geriatric logic. At 36 he’s having one of the best seasons of his career — stunning when you consider two of them were MVP years — while battling a steady stream of younger point guards. Saturday night in the skills contest, Nash competed against Brandon Jennings (age 21), Russell Westbrook (22) and then Deron Williams (26) in the championship round.
New York’s Nate Robinson is the NBA’s first three-time Sprite Slam Dunk champion.
Robinson barely won another title, garnering 51 percent of the fan vote to hold off Toronto rookie DeMar DeRozan, who advanced to the final round after getting a perfect score of 50 on his second dunk of the first round.
The final dunk for the 5-foot-9 Robinson came when he threw the ball off the backboard, grabbed it and turned midair for a two-handed backward slam.
Robinson was joined on the court for the final round by several Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders, though they weren’t used as props for any of his dunks. But he did celebrate his final slam by grabbing a pair of silver and blue pompoms from one of them and waving them in the air.
Getting redemption the only place possible for the moment, Paul Pierce of the Celtics atoned for a bad showing his last time in the competition by winning the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest on Saturday at American Airlines Center.
Pierce nailed 14 the first try and, in the scoring system with a “money ball” worth double, 17 points. That was worth a tie for second with Chauncey Billups of the Nuggets, behind Stephen Curry of the Warriors. Danilo Gallinari of the Knicks, Channing Frye of the Suns and defending champion Daequan Cook of the Heat all had 15 points and were eliminated.
Pierce led off the final round and had 20 points, setting a strong pace. Billups went next and had 14. Curry took his turn and made four of five attempts off the first rack and three of five off the second while converting both money-ball opportunities. Curry was nearly half way to matching Pierce with 60 percent of his shots still to come.
But when he made only one from among the third set, straight-away from behind the 3-point arc, Curry fell off the necessary pace. Even with getting the money ball one more time and making three shots off the final baseline rack, he still finished with 17 points and in second place.
The National Basketball Association on Tuesday unveiled the official 2009 NBA All-Star ballot at a star-studded event in Phoenix, the locale for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game; as expected, the Phoenix suns had plenty of representation at the event, including Shaquille O’Neal, Raja Bell, Amare Stoudemire and Grant Hill. The game will take place on February 15 at US Airways Center.
The ballot in question will have 120 players evenly split between the Western and Eastern Conferences; each side will have 24 guards, 24 forwards and 12 centers. Voters can select two guards, two forwards and a center from each conference; one minor change that will be reflected on the online voting is that due to the Denver-Detroit trade, Allen Iverson’s name will be on the East roster while Chauncey Billups‘ name will be on the West roster. Paper ballots were printed before the trade took place, so any votes for Iverson, Billups or Antonio McDyess will be credited towards their new team and conference.
Paper ballot voting will continue until January 11 while online voting at NBA.com and wireless voting will begin on Thursday, November 13 and end on January 19. The players on the ballot were selected by the following panel: Paul Coro (Arizona Republic), Ernie Johnson (TNT), Jack McCallum (Sports Illustrated), David Moore (Dallas Morning News), Marc Spears (Boston Globe) and Marc Stein (ESPN.com). Below are the players who are on the ballot for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game:
NBA Eastern Conference – Guards
Ray Allen, Boston
Gilbert Arenas, Washington
Mike Bibby, Atlanta
**Chauncey Billups, Detroit
Jose Calderon, Toronto
Vince Carter, New Jersey
Jamal Crawford, New York
Raymond Felton, Charlotte
TJ Ford, Indiana
Ben Gordon, Chicago
Richard Hamilton, Detroit
Devin Harris, New Jersey
Joe Johnson, Atlanta
Stephon Marbury, New York
Andre Miller, Philadelphia
Jameer Nelson, Orlando
Anthony Parker, Toronto
Michael Redd, Milwaukee
Jason Richardson, Charlotte
Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee
Rajon Rondo, Boston
Derrick Rose, Chicago
Dwyane Wade, Miami
Mo Williams, Cleveland
Eastern Conference – Forwards
Michael Beasley, Miami
Chris Bosh, Toronto
Elton Brand, Philadelphia
Caron Butler, Washington
Luol Deng, Chicago
Mike Dunleavy, Indiana
Kevin Garnett, Boston
Danny Granger, Indiana
Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia
LeBron James, Cleveland
Antawn Jamison, Washington
Richard Jefferson, Milwaukee
Rashard Lewis, Orlando
Shawn Marion, Miami
**Antonio McDyess, Detroit
Andres Nocioni, Chicago
Paul Pierce, Boston
Tayshaun Prince, Detroit
Zach Randolph, New York
Josh Smith, Atlanta
Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando
Gerald Wallace, Charlotte
Marvin Williams, Atlanta
Yi Jianlian, New Jersey
Eastern Conference – Centers
Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee
Eddy Curry, New York
Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia
Brendan Haywood, Washington
Al Horford, Atlanta
Dwight Howard, Orlando
Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland
Emeka Okafor, Charlotte
Jermaine O’Neal, Toronto
Kendrick Perkins, Boston
Ben Wallace, Cleveland
Rasheed Wallace, Detroit
Western Conference – Guards
Rafer Alston, Houston
Leandro Barbosa, Phoenix
Raja Bell, Phoenix
Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers
Michael Conley, Memphis
Baron Davis, LA Clippers
Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City
Monta Ellis, Golden State
Derek Fisher, LA Lakers
Manu Ginobili, San Antonio
**Allen Iverson, Denver
Stephen Jackson, Golden State
Jason Kidd, Dallas
Kevin Martin, Sacramento
O.J. Mayo, Memphis
Tracy McGrady, Houston
Steve Nash, Phoenix
Tony Parker, San Antonio
Chris Paul, New Orleans
Brandon Roy, Portland
J.R. Smith, Denver
Jason Terry, Dallas
Beno Udrih, Sacramento
Deron Williams, Utah
Western Conference – Forwards
LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland
Carmelo Anthony, Denver
Ron Artest, Houston
Shane Battier, Houston
Carlos Boozer, Utah
Bruce Bowen, San Antonio
Tim Duncan, San Antonio
Pau Gasol, LA Lakers
Rudy Gay, Memphis
Grant Hill, Phoenix
Josh Howard, Dallas
Andrei Kirilenko, Utah
Kevin Love, Minnesota
Corey Maggette, Golden State
Kenyon Martin, Denver
Mike Miller, Minnesota
Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas
Lamar Odom, LA Lakers
Luis Scola, Houston
Peja Stojakovic, New Orleans
Amar’e Stoudemire, Phoenix
Al Thornton, LA Clippers
David West, New Orleans
Chris Wilcox, Oklahoma City
Western Conference – Centers
Andris Biedrins, Golden State
Andrew Bynum, LA Lakers
Marcus Camby, LA Clippers
Tyson Chandler, New Orleans
Nick Collison, Oklahoma City
Al Jefferson, Minnesota
Chris Kaman, LA Clippers
Brad Miller, Sacramento
Greg Oden, Portland
Mehmet Okur, Utah
Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix
Yao Ming, Houston
** These players were involved in the Denver-Detroit trade.
Below are the most recent returns from voting for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, which will take place on February 15 in Phoenix; results are as of January 1:
EASTERN CONFERENCE
FORWARDS: LeBron James, Cleveland, 1,521,272; Kevin Garnett, Boston, 1,101,541; Yi Jianlian, New Jersey, 959,324; Chris Bosh, Toronto, 601,204; Paul Pierce, Boston, 387,105; Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando, 236,360; Shawn Marion, Miami, 230,119; Danny Granger, Indiana, 155,484; Josh Smith, Atlanta, 131,281; Michael Beasley, Miami, 121,632; Tayshaun Prince, Detroit, 114,869
GUARDS: Dwyane Wade, Miami, 1,473,225; Allen Iverson, Detroit, 1,027,153; Vince Carter, New Jersey, 708,699; Ray Allen, Boston, 435,945; Devin Harris, New Jersey, 359,442; Gilbert Arenas, Washington, 283,030; Luke Ridnour, Milwaukee, 276,009; Derrick Rose, Chicago, 242,740; Jose Calderon, Toronto, 221,946; Jameer Nelson, Orlando, 198,050; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 189,343
CENTERS: Dwight Howard, Orlando, 1,709,088; Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia, 239,089; Rasheed Wallace, Detroit, 197,785; Jermaine O’Neal, Toronto, 177,121; Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee, 151,043; Al Horford, Atlanta, 140,637; Ben Wallace, Cleveland, 112,014; Emeka Okafor, Charlotte, 100,114; Brendan Haywood, Washington, 89,664; Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas, Cleveland, 78,035; Kendrick Perkins, Boston, 68,513
WESTERN CONFERENCE
FORWARDS: Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 1,132,095; Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix, 743,639; Carmelo Anthony, Denver, 725,411; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas, 673,720; Ron Artest, Houston, 662,510; Pau Gasol, L.A. Lakers, 495,835; Bruce Bowen, San Antonio, 375,079; Shane Battier, Houston, 374,413; Luis Scola, Houston, 228,598; Josh Howard, Dallas, 228,157; LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland, 170,056
GUARDS: Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers, 1,534,020; Tracy McGrady, Houston, 961,852; Chris Paul, New Orleans, 867,889; Manu Ginobili, San Antonio, 500,158; Tony Parker, San Antonio, 459,718; Steve Nash, Phoenix, 345,948; Jason Kidd, Dallas, 331,203; Rafer Alston, Houston, 282,767; Jason Terry, Dallas, 265,521; Brandon Roy, Portland, 210,755; Chauncey Billups, Denver, 205,554
CENTERS: Yao Ming, Houston, 1,396,126; Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix, 727,975; Andrew Bynum, L.A. Lakers, 294,381; Mehmet Okur, Utah, 256,902; Greg Oden, Portland, 162,299; Andris Biedrins, Golden State, 129,488; Tyson Chandler, New Orleans, 112,949; Al Jefferson, Minnesota, 100,480; Nick Collison, Oklahoma City, 69,039; Marcus Camby, L.A. Clippers, 57,474; Chris Kaman, L.A. Clippers, 21,814
The NBA released its fourth update of the vote totals for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, and once again the same two players lead the way. The game will be held February 15, in Phoenix. Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has the most overall votes of any player and tops the NBA Eastern Conference with 2,102,368 votes. Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James is second in the conference with 1,940,162 votes. The Western Conference top vote getter is reigning NBA MVP Los Angeles Lakers forward Kobe Bryant who has 1,903,798, Houston Rockets center Yao Ming is second in the conference with 1,758,499 votes. The complete list is below broken down by position with the Eastern Conference listed first:
Eastern Confernce:
Forwards:
Player Votes
LeBron James (Clev) 1,940,162
Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,375,814
Yi Jianlian (NJ) 1,216,348
Chris Bosh (Tor) 751,927
Paul Pierce (Bos) 486,656
Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 366,174
Shawn Marion (Mia) 264,888
Danny Granger (Ind) 199,200
Josh Smith (Atl) 163,145
Michael Beasley (Mia) 157,286
Tayshaun Prince (Det) 144,337
Guards:
Player Votes
Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,818,717
Allen Iverson (Det) 1,278,600
Vince Carter (NJ) 856,498
Ray Allen (Bos) 552,094
Devin Harris (NJ) 474,637
Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 403,577
Luke Ridnour (Mil) 379,806
Derrick Rose (Chi) 293,483
Jose Calderon (Tor) 274,509
Joe Johnson (Atl) 236,993
Jameer Nelson (Orl) 227,226
Centers:
Player Votes
Dwight Howard (Orl) 2,102,368
Samuel Dalembert (Phi) 257,527
Rasheed Wallace (Det) 255,950
Jermaine ONeal (Tor) 224,583
Andrew Bogut (Mil) 198,811
Al Horford (Atl) 191,105
Brendan Haywood (Wash) 178,868
Ben Wallace (Clev) 159,132
Emeka Okafor (Char) 133,501
Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 122,607
Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 85,855
Western Conference:
Forwards:
Player Votes
Tim Duncan (SA) 1,454,918
Carmelo Anthony (Den) 905,121
Amare Stoudemire (Pho) 894,690
Ron Artest (Hou) 890,992
Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 837,482
Pau Gasol (LAL) 618,943
Bruce Bowen (SA) 509,593
Shane Battier (Hou) 482,724
Luis Scola (Hou) 281,372
Josh Howard (Dal) 255,698
LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 212,651
Guards:
Player Votes
Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,903,798
Tracy McGrady (Hou) 1,216,224
Chris Paul (NO) 1,059,161
Manu Ginobili (SA) 669,837
Tony Parker (SA) 614,939
Jamal Crawford (GS) 462,039
Steve Nash (Pho) 441,746
Jason Kidd (Dal) 381,906
Rafer Alston (Hou) 372,130
Jason Terry (Dal) 323,279
Brandon Roy (Por) 267,053
Centers
Player Votes
Yao Ming (Hou) 1,758,499
Shaquille ONeal (Pho) 1,006,383
Andrew Bynum (LAL) 356,280
Mehmet Okur (Utah) 292,845
Greg Oden (Por) 195,552
Andris Biedrins (GS) 170,732
Tyson Chandler (NO) 128,086
Al Jefferson (Minn) 121,944
Nick Collison (OKC) 105,534
Marcus Camby (LAC) 74,638
Chris Kaman (LAC) 27,112.
The NBA released the starting teams for the 2009 NBA All-Star teams on Thursday, and the man known as “Superman” received more votes than any other player in the history of the Association. Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard set the new record for votes received by an All-Star candidate with 3,150,181, the only player in NBA history to break the 3 million mark. Houston Rockets center Yao Ming held the title previously when he set the record with 2, 558, 278 in 2005. Howard will be the center for the Eastern Squad, the other starters will be Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James, Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett, Detroit Pistons guard Allen Iverson, and Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade.
Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant was the recipient of the most votes in the Western Conference with 2,805,397 to earn one of the guard selections. He will be sharing the back court with New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul, the fans also selected Yao Ming at center, the San Antonio Spurs forward Tim Duncan, and the Phoenix Suns forward Amare Stoudemire. The game will be held in Phoenix on February 15, the reserves will be announced next week.
Below are the rosters for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game, set to take place on February 15 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ:
* – denotes starters
East
G – Dwyane Wade, Miami*; Allen Iverson, Detroit*; Joe Johnson, Atlanta; Devin Harris, New Jersey; Jameer Nelson, Orlando
F – Dwight Howard, Orlando*; LeBron James, Cleveland*; Paul Pierce, Boston; Danny Granger, Indiana; Rashard Lewis, Orlando
C – Kevin Garnett, Boston*; Chris Bosh, Toronto
West
G – Chris Paul, New Orleans*; Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers*; Chauncey Billups, Denver; Tony Parker, San Antonio; Brandon Roy, Portland
F – Tim Duncan, San Antonio*; Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix*; Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas; Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers; David West, New Orleans
C – Yao Ming, Houston*; Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix
So it looks like happy endings are not just for story books after all! The “Associated Press” Tuesday reported that NBA Commissioner David Stern has selected Cleveland Cavaliers starting point guard Mo Williams to replace the injured Chris Bosh in the NBA All-Star Game which will be held this Sunday in Phoenix. Williams had previously been slighted twice, once when the initial list of reserves were announced, and then when Jameer Nelson was replaced by Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen.
Williams has had by far the best season of his career stats wise, he has averaged 17.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds per game. He is also the biggest factor not named LeBron James in the best season that the Cavaliers have had in their history in the Association. Cleveland as of Tuesday morning had a record of 39-10 leading the NBA Central Division by 12 games over the second place Detroit Pistons.
After Friday night’s game between the NBA Sophomores taking on the Rookies, it is becoming abundantly clear why Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant may be making more appearances at future all-Star games – and not as a paying customer. Durant exploited the Rookies’ relative inexperience as he rocked US Airways Arena with 46 points, leading the Sophomores to the 122-116 win over the Rookies squad in the 2009 NBA Rookie Challenge. Durant’s 46 points shattered the record of 36 set by the Phoenix Suns’ Amare Stoudemire as a sophomore back in 2004.
Both teams, as is typical during these types of games, shot very well as the Sophomores shot a blistering 68.4% – including 63.6% from beyond the arc while the Rookies shot 53.6% from the floor yet somehow took a 61-58 lead into halftime. Things got interesting in the very late stage of the game as the Rookies closed to within 119-116 on a jumper by Memphis Grizzlies guard O.J. Mayo, but Durant put the game out of reach as he made a pair of free throws, icing the game for the Sophomores.
The aforementioned Durant led the Sophomores with 46 points (including 4 three-pointers), 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals while Thunder teammate Jeff Green and Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young added 13 each – with Green grabbing 2 rebounds, dishing out 3 assists along with 2 steals while Young grabbed 4 rebounds, dished out an assist along with a steal.
The Rookies were led by Miami heat forward Michael Beasley with 29 points, 3 rebounds, an assist, 2 steals and a blocked shot while Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Gordon added 19 (including 3 treys) with 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 3 steals; Memphis Grizzlies center Marc Gasol pitched in 15 with 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal.
It was “Back To The Future” night in Phoenix Sunday evening as former teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal were both handed the 2009 NBA All-Star Game MVP Award, as the duo led the squad from the Western Conference past the East 146-119. The Los Angeles Lakers guard Bryant led all players with 27 points, and the “Big Cactus” now playing center for the Phoenix Suns put on a show from his introduction, to scoring 17 points off the bench for the West to win Co-MVP honors with Kobe. New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul also had a big night for the West with a double-double, 14 points, and dishing off 14 assists.
The fun started in the introductions of the players as Shaq came out wearing a white mask and dancing! As with all NBA All-Star contests, defense was an after thought, this was all about scoring and making the crowd react. The Western squad shot a red-hot 61.3% (65-106) from the floor, while the East could only muster 47% (47-100) shooting for the game (I think the last time both teams shot 100 shots each in a regular season NBA game was 1985!)
Kobe led the West with 27 points, 4 assists, and 4 rebounds, while Amare Stoudemire had 19 points, and 6 rebounds. Shaquille O’Neal pleased his home crowd with 17 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 block, Chris Paul recorded a double-double, 14 points, 14 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals. Brandon West, Tony Parker, and Pau Gasol all came off the bench for the West and scored 14 points each.
LeBron James led the Eastern Conference team with 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists, in the loss. Dwyane Wade dropped 18 points, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 rebounds, while Paul Pierce came off the pine with 18 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals. Dwight Howard scored 13 points, 9 boards, 3 blocks, and 1 steal, Kevin Garnett added 12 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists. Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams the last player to be selected as an All-Star also had 12 points, 5 assists, and 2 rebounds.
Bill Gates says that Life Isn’t Fair and I’m afraid that is true. We have been asked by BallHype to provide our 2008-2009 NBA MVP as well as three consolation selections. I personally believe that there are five candidates that deserve to be mentioned; however I am a team player and I play by the rules. Unfortunately that makes my job just a little bit tougher! Mama Said There’d Be Days Like This!
Different NBA observers have different parameters as to what constitutes an MVP. To me it is literally the Most Valuable Player; not the best player in the league, the one who means most to their team. A few years ago I was offended when the Major League Baseball Writers Association awarded the American League MVP to Alex Rodriguez when he played for the last place Texas Rangers! With or without A-Rod the Rangers would have been in last place. His personal stats were amazing, by far the best in the league; but where was the value? So to me personal numbers come in second to what you mean to your team.
And so with the explanation out of the way let us then proceed to the three runners up and our MVP Choice:
4) Chris Paul-New Orleans Hornets: CP-3 is the point guard of his generation; if he stays on course not only will he end up in the Basketball Hall of Fame he will become legendary. He will be talked about with the likes of Bob Cousy, Tiny Archibald and Isiah Thomas the greatest of all time. Paul is averaging a double-double for the season 22.9 points and 10.9 assists per game. However the Hornets have not come close to scaling the heights they hit last year and with that CP-3 falls to number four..
3) Dwyane Wade-Miami Heat: Yes Pat Riley made the acquisition of the trading season picking up Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon for the Playoff drive. But the reason that “Riles” made the move was due to one man D-Wade. Wade has been the reason that the Heat went from a Lottery team last year to a legitimate contender this year. The Heat will most likely lose in the second round of the Post Season but it will be D-Wade that gets them that far.
2) Dwight Howard-Orlando Magic: In the “Golden Age of the Point Guard“ Superman is a reminder of when Behemoths ruled the Association. D-Howard has no legitimate competition in the pivot position and he has yet to peak! Realistically the Magic should have dropped out of the top three teams in the Eastern Conference when they lost Jameer Nelson for the year. Somebody forgot to tell Howard that!
MVP SELECTION:
LeBron James-Cleveland Cavaliers: I was extremely fortunate to be at the right place at the right time for 3 NBA seasons. Those happened to be the first three years that LBJ was in the Association; I covered him as a Radio Reporter as Sports Betting Director for Metro Networks in Cleveland. I was also fortunate enough to cover him for the two games played at the Q Arena as the “Chosen One” played in the 2007 NBA Finals against the San Antonio Spurs. LeBron was amazing his first campaign in the NBA and he continues to grow in leaps and bounds each season. Without LeBron James the Cleveland Cavaliers are the team heading to Seattle to take the place of the Sonics. With him the Cavaliers may win their first NBA Finals in June.
Kobe Bryant scored a game high 38 points while the Los Angeles Lakers shot a red hot 51.9% (40-77) resulting in their 108-94 win over the Utah Jazz. The victory gives L.A. a 3-1 series edge with the action heading back to the “City Of Angels” for game five. Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams each recorded a double-double for the Jazz and each scored 23 points in the Utah loss.
The Jazz came out in the first quarter looking like they were ready to tie this series up as they led 25-20 at the end of the period. The Lakers though started to take charge in the second walking into the locker room at the half on top 60-53.
Utah went ice cold from the field in the third as the Lakers were easily able to widen their advantage and led 88-69 heading into the final 12 minutes of play. The Jazz never came close to being within double digits of Los Angeles in the final quarter.
Kobe Bryant led five Lakers players who scored in double figures in the victory for Los Angeles. Bryant scored a game high 38 points, he grabbed 6 rebounds, had 2 steals and 1 assist.
Carlos Boozer recorded a double-double with 23 points, 16 boards, 5 assists, 3 steals and 1 block. Deron Williams also had a double-double as he also put 23 points on the board, dished off 13 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals in the loss. Los Angeles with a 3-1 series advantage will host the Jazz Monday night
Sorry to all you Lakers fans, but it appears as if basketball superstar Kobe Bryant is asking to be traded from the infamous team. On Wednesday, Bryant openly asked to be traded from the team, after he called the front office “a mess.”Â
Bryant revealed to ESPN radio,”I would like to be traded, yeah.”
“Tough as it is to come to that conclusion there’s no other alternative. It’s rough man, but I don’t see how you can rebuild that trust. I just don’t know how you can move forward in that type of situation.”
The Houston Rockets put forth a valiant effort on Monday night but without Yao Ming, they might be hard pressed to win tonight. Even so, look for them to keep this game tight as the Los Angeles Lakers have an injury of their own. Forward Lamar Odom is doubtful with a back contusion and will likely miss the contest. That could leave the Lakers a little shorthanded for this contest.
Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant has been selected as the NBA's most valuable player of 2008, reported various sports new sites citing the unnamed sources. The official announcement is expected to annouce some time next week. Although he previously bagged two NBA All-Star MVPs, this is the first time for Kobe Bryant, 27, to win a career MVP since he was drafted out of high school 12 years ago in 1996. Go Bryant! You are definitely deserved such an award!
Kobe Bryant holding NBA All-Star MVP (2007) trophy picture
(Lisa Blumenfeld NBAE/Getty Images)
Battier three with 2.5 seconds left lifts Rockets to victory.
Booed a little in intros, Kobe set out to prove he is no slouch and set to take it out on the Rockets. Both teams were tight early culminating in an abundance of missed shots, but when Kobe scored the first bucket of the game on a left handed lay up off glass, you knew he was about to explode. He finished with 19 pts. at half, another 18 in the fourth quarter–almost willing the Lakers back from 12 down with less than two minutes left–and 45 for the game. (If you remember yesterday I said Kobe would get 45 in a loss. Never seems to work when I play the Powerball though.) Kobe was 13-32 from the field and went to the line a ridiculous 27 times, but had nine of the Laker’s 18 misses from the charity stripe. Tracy McGrady hit for 30 and Yao Ming scored 25 and ripped down 12 to aid in a team victory.
Nubeo is a company known for jellyfish-shaped watches. In collaboration with the basketball star Kobe Bryant, this luxury watch brand creates a limited-edition line.
Composed by high-tech sport watches, the collection’s prices start at about $21,000 and topout at $285,000. The Black Mamba series, in honor of Mr. Bryant’s nickname, will be launched at Baselworld 2009, in Basel, Switzerland, and will go on sale this fall.
Ivan Castro, the jewelry designer who co-founded Nubeo in 2004, is a huge basketball fan and reached out to Mr. Bryant’s agent and marketing manager.
He compares the Nubeo line to his on-court play. “It’s just a beautiful watch but you don’t see all the intricacies.”
Nubeo is making just 1,074 of the Kobe watches. Some styles are adorned with sapphires.
