The NBA staged its annual mid season party and mass gathering this past weekend in Phoenix. Arguably the most popular All Star game in professional sports, stars like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Chris Paul graced the floor, along with luminaries such as Amare Stoudamire, Yao Ming, Mo Williams, and Paul Pierce just to name a few.
Story lines were in abundance, what with Shaq dancing with the Jabbawockies, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ7KO0P5V3k , emergence of new stars (Kevin Durant and Derek Rose), and the typical no defense, offensive highlight reel game itself. Not to mention Kobe and Shaq reunited on the same team, albeit for one game, for the first time since 2004, and consequently sharing co-MVP honors. Props to the NBA for putting on such a great show, introducing HORSE, GEICO actually (What professional sporting event would be complete without corporate over saturation?), and fabricating such great story lines, yes fabricating, along with a few feel good moments for the viewers at home.
Jordin Sparks' rendition of the national anthem was spectacular, of course no Marvin Gaye, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRvVzaQ6i8A, but nonetheless an inspiring performance by the former American Idol finalist. Legendary Celtics center Bill Russell celebrated his 75th birthday, and it made for great TV seeing current Celtics All Stars Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen crowd around the Hall of Famer to wish him a happy birthday.
5'9 Nate Robinson beat 6'11 Dwight Howard in the Slam Dunk Contest, ending it with this dunk, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbiuTgleEOk, and gave hope to short people everywhere. Toronto sharpshooter Jason Kapono, heavily favored to win his third straight 3 point Shootout, sputtered early, and Miami's Daquean Cook took home the title. Derek Rose easily cruised past the competition in winning the Skills Challenge, triumphing over All Stars Devin Harris, Tony Parker, and Mo Williams. Kevin Durant dropped 46 points in the Rookie-Sophmore game, while also winning the inaugural HORSE competition by beating out rookie O.J. Mayo and Atlanta's lone All Star Joe Johnson.
Amidst the scandals and controversy around the world of sports, for one weekend in Phoenix players from different teams, conferences, and backgrounds all put aside their differences to put on a show and have a good time. Shaq ran pick and rolls with Kobe, Chris Paul dished it to Brandon Roy for the slam on a fast break, and for a few days at least, everyone forgot about the A-Rods, Michael Phelpses, and Jamal Andersons of the world, and instead watched a group of spectacular athletes and basketball players play the game at the purest level. This weekend they played a game for the sake of playing a game when winning doesn't matter, and having fun and enjoying the game of basketball reigned supreme.
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