Robinson Hits Trifecta, Wins Slam Dunk Competition

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.

Pierce Gets Redemption, Wins Three-Point Contest

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.

2009 All-Star Game Ballot Unveiled

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.

NBA 2009 All Star Voting Returns

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

D-Howard And Kobe Still Lead 2009 NBA All-Star Game Voting Results: Fourth Round

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.

D-Howard Tops 3 Million Votes As NBA All-Star Starters Are Named

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.