2007 All-Star Weekend2007 Rookie Challenge Participants2007 Three Point Shootout Participants2007 Dunk Contest Participants2007 All-Star Game ParticipantsEASTStarting LineupC: Shaquille O'Neal (Miami Heat)
F: Chris Webber (Philadelphia 76ers)
F: Ron Artest (Indiana Pacers)
G: Dywane Wade (Miami Heat)
G: Steve Francis (Orlando Magic)
BenchBen Wallace (Detroit Pistons)
Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards)
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons)
Allen Iverson (Philadelphia 76ers)
Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons)
WESTStarting LineupC: Yao Ming (Houston Rockets)
F: Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
F: Lamar Odom (Los Angeles Lakers)
G: Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
G: Baron Davis (Golden State Warriors)
BenchMarcus Camby (Denver Nuggets)
Pau Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies)
Corey Maggette (Los Angeles Clippers)
Ray Allen (Oklahoma City Thunder)
Mike Bibby (Sacramento Kings)
Amare Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns)
Rashard Lewis (Oklahoma City Thunder)
As you can imagine I'm disappointed, but not completely surprised.February 16th, 2007
Rookies (89) at Sophomores (97)
Hornets' Paul leads Sophomores to 97-89 victoryFor the fifth straight year, the Sophomores were victorious in the Rookie Challenge, as this year's crop of second year players defeated the Rookies 97-89. They were led by New Orleans Hornets' point guard Chris Paul who tallied 26 points, four rebounds and 12 assists in the game. A pair of Charlotte Bobcats led the way for the first year players as Ayeshi Tam scored a game high 28 points and point guard Malik Marshall added 24 points and 10 assists.
As usual, the same featured a dazzling array of dunks and lob passes but also a surprising amount of defense. Paul tallied six steals in the game which helped jump start some fast breaks. The game remained close throughout as the Sophomores struggled shooting the ball, connecting on just 41.2% of their field goal attempts, but a 17-10 edge in offensive rebounds helped keep them in the lead. Though the lead changed hands several times in the first half, the Sophomores would remain out in front for the entire second half, with Paul scoring 20 of his 26 points after halftime.
In addition to Paul's MVP performance, Andrew Bynum and Channing Frye both had strong games for the Sophomores. Bynum contributed a double-double with 15 points and 11 rebounds while Frye had 18 points and nine rebounds. Ignatius Tallas scored eight points, grabbed 16 rebounds, handed out three assists and blocked four shots for the Rookies.
Chris Paul and Malik Marshall provded an exciting matchup at point guardAyeshi Tam goes up for an up-and-under windmill dunkIgnatius Tallus puts down the alley-oopMarvin Williams sends back a shot by Liu KuffourFebruary 17th, 2007
Joe Johnson takes Three Point Shootout crown with perfect roundJohnson with the Three Point Shootout trophyLast year, Quentin Richardson set a new record in the Three Point Shootout scoring 28 points in the first round, besting the previous high of 25 set by Craig Hodges in 1986. New champion Joe Johnson topped that mark this year, scoring a perfect 30 points to defeat Stephen Jackson in the final round.
Jackson himself had tied the record in the first round, while Johnson scored 27. Rashard Lewis and Cuttino Mobley also had the hot hand as they weren't far behind with 26 points and 23 points respectively. Ben Gordon, who has been red hot during the month of February, struggled to a score of 12 points in the first round. Baron Davis also scored 12 points while Jason Williams and Chris Paul scored 11 apiece.
"I can't explain it," Johnson said of his record-setting victory. "Just one of those days when the rim's like a hula-hoop, everything felt good coming off my hand. I can't quite believe it myself." Johnson is the first player from the Atlanta Hawks to win the event.
February 17th, 2007
Richardson soars to third Dunk Contest crownRichardson becomes the first three time winner of the Slam Dunk ContestThe Golden State Warriors' high-flying swingman Jason Richard has claimed his third Slam Dunk Contest title, becoming the first player to win the event more than twice. Richardson had a perfect score of 100 in the final round as he finished in spectacular style, catching a pass off the backboard for a 180-degree between the legs dunk.
LeBron James, competing in his first NBA Slam Dunk contest, finished as the runner-up. Though Richardson had already clinched the title, LeBron finished the contest in style as he performed a jaw-dropping 540-degree dunk to the delight of the crowd and even the champion as Richardson himself rushed onto the court to offer his congratulations.
"I had a lot of fun here tonight," Richardson said upon being presented with his trophy. "That's what the Dunk Contest is all about: coming out here, strutting your stuff, having fun, putting on a show. I'm proud to be the first three-time champion." Richardson scored a perfect 50 on three of his four dunks, each coming off a tough lob pass.
Ben Gordon and Kevin Garnett also competed in the contest. Gordon got the crowd fired up early with the first dunk of the contest, an elbow-in-the-rim dunk after catching a lob off the backboard. He missed his second attempt of the night however, a tough 360-degree between-the-legs windmill, as well as his replacement attempt. Garnett made both of his dunks for a modest first round score of 87.
Gordon's first dunk brought the crowd to its feet, but he came up short on his second attemptLeBron catches the lob off the backboard and goes between-the-legsRichardson's contest clinching dunkFebruary 18th, 2007
West All-Stars (124) at East All-Stars (132)
King James leads East to comeback victoryLeBron soars to the rim for two of his 41 pointsLeBron James may have missed out on the Slam Dunk title last night but there would be no second place finish tonight. LeBron scored 41 points - the second most ever by a single player in an NBA All-Star Game - along with grabbing nine rebounds, handing out four assists and making two steals as he took control in the fourth quarter to lead the East to a 132-124 victory over the West. Dirk Nowitzki top scored for the West with 26 points in addition to collecting seven rebounds.
The East struggled early with turnovers and poor shooting, allowing the West to go up by as many as sixteen. All was not lost however as James combined with Dwyane Wade to lead a furious comeback in the third quarter, setting the stage for a wild shootout in the fourth. Wade scored 12 of his 22 points in the third quarter, also going on to finish with seven assists and two steals.
Kobe Bryant and Dirk Nowitzki each scored 10 points in the fourth quarter as the lead changed hands several times, but LeBron was spectacular with 19 fourth quarter points. It was Allen Iverson's three point play that gave the East the lead for good however, as they kept the West at bay and eventually sealed the game from the free throw line.
For the East, Iverson and Shaquille O'Neal both scored 15 points with Shaq also adding eight rebounds. Chris Webber contributed 18 points and collected seven rebounds. For the West, Lamar Odom scored 12 points, grabbed five rebounds and handed out three assists in his first All-Star start. Mike Bibby, selected as a reserve, scored eight points and had a game high nine assists.
Dwyane Wade blocks Kobe Bryant's layup attemptDirk Nowitzki denies Chris WebberKobe nails a three pointer over his old teammateShaq throws down over Yao MingWade rises above Nowitzki and Stoudemire for the dunkSteve Francis with a dunk in the open floor during the third quarterAmare Stoudemire powers one homeThe regular season resumes tomorrow.
Current Record: 43-5
Next Game: vs Cleveland Cavaliers; 25-23 (February 19th)