BY KEVIN KOPLIN
This past NBA All Star Weekend was one to remember, full of showmanship, superstars, and surprises.
The weekend started on Friday with the Celebrity Game; Justin Bieber, the world famous pop star, was the games MVP, although he was clearly the smallest player on the court. Following the Celebrity Game, the rookies beat the second year players in the Rookie Challenge for the second consecutive year. John Wall was the games most valuable player, scoring 12 points and a Rookie Challenge record of 22 assists.
On Saturday night Stephon Curry won the Skills Challenge, beating Russell Westbrook with a time of 34 seconds. Following the event was the 3-Point Contest. The Miami Heat’s own James Jones beat Boston’s Paul Pierce and Ray Allen with 20 points to Pierce’s 18 and Allen’s 15.
“Although they beat us 3 times this season”, junior Steven Roberts said. “Its good that Miami finally beat Boston in something!”
After the Skills Challenge and the 3-Point Contest was the main event of All Star Saturday night: the Slam Dunk Contest. Blake Griffin, JaVale McGee, Serge Ibaka, and DeMar DeRozan each preformed amazing dunks, including a jaw dropping behind the free throw line slam from Ibaka. But it was Griffin and McGee who advanced to the final round.
It was a fairly even battle until Griffin brought a brand new Kia Optima onto the court with teammate Baron Davis riding shotgun. Davis threw the ball out of the sunroof while Griffin vaulted over the cars hood, caught the ball, and finished it with a slam dunk. The crowd was ecstatic and it was all over, Griffin won defeating McGee, who some believe was robbed of the win.
“McGee’s dunks seemed to take much more athletic ability and effort,” Roberts said.
Finally on Sunday, the All Star Game took place, and it started off with a bang. The West took off with a 37-27 lead driven by Kobe Bryant and company. By halftime the score was 76-64 West, but the game had just begun. Rihanna performed a great half time show where unexpected guests Drake and Kanye West guest starred.
The East fought back, and by the fourth quarter LeBron James and the East made the game a nail biter. Outscoring the West 43-31 in the final period, the East came back but it was not enough. The final score was 148-143 with the West on top.
Despite his best efforts and putting up the second triple double in All Star History (29 points, 12 rebounds, and 10 assists), LeBron James wasnt nominated the games MVP. It was Kobe Bryant who finished with 37 points and the win. Kevin Durant also scored 34 points.
After the annual midway break in the season, NBA fans are revved up for the playoffs and NBA Finals to begin!
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