Steve Nash Rains Threes, Takes Title
Nash Shows Off With Another Trophy
Round 1 Results |
Round 2 Results
Nash crowned champion again after winning Skills Challenge
DENVER, Feb. 19 (Ticker) -- Steve Nash burned one of the underdogs in the last round revealing a hot hand. Nash only had to make 15 shots in the final round to capture the Shootout on Saturday night, defeating Golden State Warriors guard Mike Dunleavy in the finals. Not noted for his long-range marksmanship, but for his ball-handling and passing ability, Nash put on a dazzling display late that brought back visions of the legendary Tim Legler and Craig Hodges. A point guard for the Phoenix Suns, Nash went second in the finals after Dunleavy, the sharpshooter of the Warriors, scored 14 points making all five of his money balls, but only getting four regular balls to go down.
Nash had 13 points through his first three racks and laying off for the last two, only making six to finish with 19 and take home the top prize of $25,000. "I felt like I was shooting a little too fast (in the second round) I tried to slow it down and I started to get hot and I got it going,'' said Nash who won the Playstation Skills Challenge earlier in the evening. Cheered on by teammates Jason Richardson and Michael Pietrus, Dunleavy settled for second as it was his first time in the contest. "I was just worried about Reggie and Allen, but then Richardson got hot and Miller and Allen were eliminated," Dunleavy said."
Dunleavy also has the confidence that he will capture this event down the road. "I'm going to win this thing one of these years," he said. "It's going to happen. I don't know which year but it's going to happen." Reggie Miller, who was the oldest in the contest, the shooting guard of the Indiana Pacers, was a disappointment in the contest only scoring nine in the first round and getting no money balls. "I felt like I should've done better, and I knew that I disappointed alot of people because I was a favorite to win," Miller said. "Many props go out to Nash because he heated up. "He's a good shooter. Hopefully I'll see him next year if I get back invited."
Nash and Dunleavy made the finals by scoring 23 and 22 in the first round. The 2001 winner of the 3-Point Shootout, Ray Allen of the Seattle SuperSonics, scored 16 in the 1st round and came in 4th place. Cuttino Mobley of the Sacramento Kings finished in last place with just eight points in the first round, while Baron Davis and Brent Barry scored 13 and 14.
Nash looking to make the money ball on the first rack
Reggie showing his cross-hand shooting touch at the top of the key
Ray Allen running to the 3rd rack
Allen shooting with quickness
Nash getting the money ball to go in the final round
Mobley made his last four money balls in the contest
Miller getting squared up for the next rack
Eddie Jones 18 points was enough to get him 3rd place
Dunleavy getting the Denver crowd pumped up before he starts the final round
The contestants watching Barry in the first round
B-Diddy nailed three money balls in the first round
Barry starting off the first rack
Steve Nash Q&A
Feb. 19, 2005 -- After watching Steve Nash hoist the trophy for the Playstation Skills Challenge, Steve Nash wasn't going to be satisfied with one trophy and let the opportunity to get in on the action slip away. Nash drained 19 shots in the final round and hit three-of-five money balls for a final round score of 19 points to defeat Mike Dunleavy Jr. in the contest. Here's what Steve Nash had to say after the victory.
Q. So, things are going pretty well for the Phoenix Suns?
Steve Nash: Yeah, definitely we're getting off to a good start for the All-Star.
Q. Did you feel good going into the final round?
Nash: Yeah, I was glad, you know, to make it to the second round and I was the high-point man for the first round which really got me going.
Q. Any prediction on the Slam Dunk contest?
Nash: (Amare Stoudemire) All day long, all day long.
Q. It's been a good year for the Suns obviously, and you making the transition from Dallas, what does this mean to your season?
Nash: I mean, this is just -- I think this is just perks for us. These are just bonuses in us having a great weekend, having a good time and I think it's a tribute to us playing so well together and us being so unselfish with each other, because that's why we are where we are now.