Monday, January 25, 2010
Allstar Team Preview: WEST
When you think about NBA all star games, most people think about one thing: Kobe vs. Lebron. Each team is stacked with the best players from the league, yet all we care about is Kobe and Lebron. We have yet to see a Kobe-Lebron playoff series, so we have to settle for all star games. This year though, with Carmelo Anthony putting up outstanding numbers this year, and Tim Duncan playing silent but steady, as always, Lebron and Kobe may have to share the spotlight a little. Before I share with you who I think is going to win the MVP award, and what team will win, let me give you a run down on the starting players for each team.
WEST
PG-Steve Nash: This former two time MVP has been dominating the point guard spot for a long time, he will be very valuable to the Western All Stars because while most All Stars have to shoot to be effective, Steve Nash is an amazing at setting up his teammates.
SG-Kobe Bryant: Widely considered to be the best overall player in the NBA, Kobe will be one of the biggest parts on this All-Star West team.
SF-Carmelo Anthony: This year is probably the best of Anthony's seven year career and it has been spectacular, he currently leads the NBA in points per game, and is cempeting for the MVP award.
PF-Tim Duncan: It's been a long time since this guy wasn't voted into an All Star game. The defense that he brings to the West will tough to counter. He averages nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds a game, which easily makes him all star caliber.
C-Amar'e Stoudemire: This guy isn't normally a center, but he will probably make a smooth adjustment. With the skills he brings to the table, you know that he will be a factor in the outcome in this game.
That's it for this post. Expect a preview of the East starters, the dunk contest participants, and my predicted outcome of the all star game and dunk contest.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
All-Star Team Preview:EAST
This is the second part of a series of posts regarding the NBA all-star game. In this article, I will be previewing the Eastern all-star team. The all-star game will be taking place in Dallas, Texas on February 14.
EAST
PG-Allen Iverson: This superstar is nearing the end of a spectacular career. Actually, scratch that, his spectacular career was already ended this year. He started the year as Memphis Grizzly, but after playing under five games in one month, he was released into free agency, when he announced his retirement. Shortly after that, he was offered a contract by the team that he first ever played for, the team he established his super stardom with, and, the only team that he seems to be able to excel for. If you haven't guessed the team by now, you must have no idea who Allen Iverson is. (Philadelphia 76ers) Personally, I don't think that his stats exactly scream "all-star," but i think that this all-star game is a fitting good-bye to an amazing player, who is likely to retire after this season.
PF-Kevin Garnett: No other player in this year's all-star game has appeared in as many all-star games (13 all-star appearances) as Kevin Garnett. That being said, Kevin is 35 years old and might only get a few more chance after this one to play in the all-star game.
C-Dwight Howard: Sure, his stats aren't eye-popping like they were last year, and he isn't playing with the same aggression as last year, but don't be fooled, Dwight Howard is definitely worthy of being an all-star.
Friday, January 29, 2010
All-Star Preview (Awards And Outcome)
This all-star game promises to be exciting, with lots of players making their debut, and lots of olders players making probably their last all-star appearance. Both teams have great line-ups, I think that the West has a slight edge over the East, even though I would really like for the East to win, the West just has a better all around line-up. The biggest reason that I think the west has a more powerfull line-up is not Kobe Bryant, but Carmelo Anthony. The reason for that is Kobe Bryant's play will more or less be pretty much cancelled out by Lebron James points, but unless Lebron puts up at least 40 points in the all-star game, there is no way that he could cancel out Carmelo and Kobe. When you combine those two, and then add two very solid post players in Amar'e Stoudemire and Tim Duncan, the West will be hard to overcome. Add to that two more great players coming of the bench, in Chris Paul, and Dirk Nowitzki, and you have a very spectacular all-star team. On the other hand, there are few ways that the East could pull of the upset.
Dwayne Wade is lots of times forgotten about because he has such a low quality team. Dwayne Wade is one of the greatest players in the NBA no matter how good or bad his team plays, and this was proved when his team won just 14 games (And lost 67) when he was injured for almost the whole 2007-2008 season. With him, this year they have won are one of the top five teams in the Eastern Conference in terms of wins. Why is this so important? Because if the East are to have any chance of winning, then Dwayne Wade will have put up stellar numbers in the all-star game. Even though Dwayne Wade's numbers are down, he has proven himself to play the best whenever the stage is the largest, as evident in his 2007 NBA Championships MVP. Another way that the East could win in the all-star game would be if the Kobe Bryant and Carmelo Anthony's egos get in the way of good basketball. If those two don't gell for that one day, then the West will have a problem.
As for the MVP of the all-star game, that depends on the winning team. If the East can pull of the upset, the Lebron James will most likely be named MVP. On the other hand, if the West wins, Kobe Bryant will most likely be named MVP unless he brings a bad attitude. You would think that if Kobe had a bad attitude, but the West still won, Kobe would be named MVP anyway if he puts up big numbers. But, if Kobe's ego rubs Carmelo the wrong way, and both of them start playing for their stats, and the West still manages to win, the MVP might fall to Steve Nash, the pass-first starting point guard for the West.
Friday, February 12, 2010
All-Star Dropouts
Recently, it has come to my attention that both Allen Iverson (East) and Kobe Bryant (West) will not be competing in this year's all star game. This will greatly effect the outcome of the all star game. Previously, I stated that it would hard for the Eastern All Stars to beat the West, (See Article Here) but now that I have received this information, I have changed my mind, and I know predict that the East will easily come out on top. Although I'm definietly not a Kobe fan, there is no denying that it will be very hard for any other Western all star to step up bring the offensive prowess that Kobe brought to the West.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
All-Star Add-ons
By far, the biggest event of the all-star break is the all-star game, but there are five other exciting events happening at during all-star weekend.
Sprite Slam Dunk Competition: My personal favorite of the all the all-star competitions is the dunk contest. The cons test was first held in 1984 when it was won by Larry Nance, and since then, it has given players an opportunity to show off their dunking creativity. Players such as Jason Richardson and Nate Robinson earned their high-flyer status through the dunk contest. If you don't already know, a dunk contest is scored in a similar fashion to competitive diving. Players perform dunks that are graded by five judges (Usually renowned NBA stars) on a scale of one to ten. After each round, (Which ends when every player in competition has dunked) the player with the lowest total score is eliminated from the competition. This goes on until a there is only one person left. This year's participants in the dunk contest are Nate Robinson, a two time winner of the dunk contest, Gerald Wallace, and Shannon Brown. The final competitor will be decided in a one round dunk-in between Demar DeRozan and Eric Gordon. The winner will be the fourth contestant in the official dunk contest.
Foot Locker 3 Point Shootout: The 3 point shootout originated just two years after the dunk contest in 1986. It doesn't take a genius to tell that the competition is made to test player's three point shot. In the contest, there are five ball racks positioned on the left and right baselines, the top of the three point arc directly in front of the hoop, and at a 45 degree angle from the hoop on the left and right sides. Each rack has four regular NBA colored balls and a multicolored, "Money Ball" that is worth two points instead of the regular one. The competitors have one minute to shoot all 25 basketballs. The highest score possible is 30. There are six competitors to the shootout each year, consisting of last year's champion and the top five three point shooters in the current season. Unlike the Dunk contest, there are only two rounds. The three players who scored the most points in the first round advance to the final round of the competition, while the others are eliminated. The 2010 competitors are Daequan Cook, (Last year's champion) Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, Channing Frye, Danillo Gallinari, and Paul Pierce.
H.O.R.S.E: A more recent addition to the all star weekend is the H.O.R.S.E. challenge, presented by GEICO. H.O.R.S.E. is played by the all-stars in this event the same that it has been played traditionally, except there are no "proving" someone out or in, and there are no dunks allowed. In all star weekend version of the game, the players will be spelling G.E.I.C.O. as opposed to "H.O.R.S.E." Kevin Durant, (Last year's HORSE champion) Rajon Rondo, and Omri Casspi will be competing in this years H.O.R.S.E. competition.
Skills Challenge: Another exciting event of all star weekend is the Taco Bell Skills Challenge. This event tests player's shooting, dribbling, quickness, and passing skill by having them complete a timed obstacle course. Four competitors compete in the skills challenge each year, and the two players with the fastest time out of those four advance to the final round. The player who has the best time out of those two wins the competition. Derrick Rose, last year's skills challenge champion, was set to compete this year but is being replaced by Russel Westbrook due to Derrick's bruised right hip. Steve Nash, who set the record for the fastest time in the skills challenge with 25.4 seconds in 2005, will also be competing this year, along with Deron Williams and Brandon Jennings.
Haier Shooting Stars: The final event is the Haier Shooting Stars Challenge, which pits four teams consisting of a current NBA star, a WNBA star, and retired NBA star, against each other. In the competition, each team must assign their players the letter A,B, and C, and then the players shoot shots from designated positions on the court. There are six positions, starting with an angled 10 foot shot from the right side, (Shot by player A) a 15 foot angled shot from the left side, (Shot by player B) an NBA three point shot from the top of the three point arc. (Shot by player C) Then, player A must make a shot from the right baseline, 18 feet from the basket, followed by an angled three point shot from the left side, shot by player B, then the final shot must be made from halfcourt. For the final shot, the team rotates through the roster, starting with player C, then going to player A, B, C, A... until one of them makes the shot. The players keep shooting from each position until they make each shot, and the next player in order can't start shooting until the shooter before him has made his shot. Once the team has made all of their shots, a referee will blow a whistle and the timer will be stopped. The teams with the best times advance to the final round, and the team with the best time in the final round wins the competition. This year's teams are made up of Dirk Nowitzki, Becky Hammon, and legend Kenny Smith, representing Texas. Representing Atlanta will be Joe Johnson, WNBA player Angel McCoughtry, and NBA legend Steve Smith. Los Angelos will send on to the court Pau Gasol, Marie Ferdinand-Harris, and retired Clippers great Brent Barry. Sacramento, the final team in the competition, will be represented by Tyreke Evans, Nicole Powell, and the recently retired NBA legend Chris Webber.
Saturday, February 13, 2010
All Star Add-Ons Outcome
Slam Dunk Contest: For the third time, the 5'9 Nate Robinson has won the Slam dunk competition. In doing so, becomes the player to do so in the history of the dunk contest. Previously I said that I predicted the champion would be either Shannon Brown or Nate, (See All-Star Dunk Off.) and was right, partially. Although there were high hopes for Shannon Brown, both of his dunks failed to impress, and he was unable to leave the first round. Gerald Wallace, like Shannon failed to leave the first round, although he did have a nice reverse two-handed dunk. So that leaves Demar DeRozan, who barely made into the dunk contest, and Nate Robinson going into the final round, Demar, aided by the only perfect score in this year's with his second attempt in the first round. In the final round, Nate Robinson came snagged the most of the fans votes to win his third dunk contest. Overall, other then Nate setting a record, this year's dunk contest was a bit unspectacular, especially compared to last year, with Dwight Howard Superman cape and Nate Robinson's "Kryptonnate" jersey, which brough the contest to a whole new level. Even though Nate has won more dunk titles, the dunk contest need Dwight Howard because of the excitement he brings to the dunk contests.
Foot Locker Three Point Shootout: This year's shootout was won by Paul Pierce, who's 20 points beat rookie Stephon Curry's 17. Making it out of the first round was Paul Pierce, Chauncey Billups, and Stephen Curry, with Danillo Gillanari, Channing Frye, and last year's champion Daequan Cook eliminated in the first round. Stephen Curry's dad, Dell Curry competed in the three point shootout when he was in the NBA, but never made it out of the first round, unlike his son.
H.O.R.S.E: Every time that the All Star H.O.R.S.E. competition has been held, it has been won by Kevin Durant. Never mind the fact that the competition was first held just last year. (The actual game has been around for years, but it was added to all star weekend last year.) After Kings rookie Omri Casspi was eliminated by Rajon Rondo, the competition was very close between Rajon and Kevin. Rajon connected on multiple threes to keep himself alive when he was on his last letter, but he finally missed, and Kevin Durant ended up with his second H.O.R.S.E. title.
Skills Challenge: Deron Williams and Steve Nash had both won the Skills Challenge prior to 2010, which is why it isn't surprising that both of them advanced to the final round while Russel Westbrook and Brandon Jenning were both eliminated in the first round. Deron Williams was looking like a winner in the final round until one of his passes missed it's mark and Deron had to retry his pass, greatly effecting his time. Steve Nash proved his greatness as a point guard by beating Deron's time to win another Skills Challenge.
Haier Shooting Stars: The home team of Texas proved themselves superior to this year's Los Angelos team by beating them in the final round. For a second, the half court shot looked like trouble for Texas as they couldn't seem to sink their final shot, but Dirk Nowitzki managed to drain the shot after a few tries. This year's other two teams, Atlanta and Sacramento both failed to pass the first round of the competition.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Nba All Star Game Outcome
Wow! What a game! This year's All Star game featured a two point victory for the East in a game that set a record for the most attended NBA game ever. It's not often that All Star games are decided by so few points. What decided the contest were the four very clutch free throws made by the East late in the game, two by Dwayne Wade, and two by Chris Bosh. The MVP of the game was Dwayne Wade of the Miami Heat, (See picture to the right) who lead the game with five steals. Most All Star games give players an oppurtunity to play with a different style then they usually do, and this year was no exception. Deron Williams is not considered to be a highflyer, but he had two stellar dunks in this year's game, both of them two handed power dunks. Dwight Howard (6'11 tall) also showed us another side of his game; primarily a post scorer, Dwight Howard drove the length of floor for a coast to coast dunk and also hit a three. To sum this year's All Star Weekend up, my final thoughts are that even though the other All Star Weekend events were not as exciting as usual, this year's All Star game was the stuff of a legend.
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