Over here in Dubs land we know that Kevin Durant is the real deal because he torches the Warriors every time they square off. But last night's 46 point outing on All-Star Friday was his coming out party. KD will be on the real All-Star squad next season and probably for the next decade. I'd trade anyone and everyone on the Warriors for him- including the entire collection of Warriors' young core of Monta Ellis + Andris Biedrins + Anthony Randolph + Brandan Wright.
Isn't it funny how Durant seems to have taken it to the next level immediately after the Thunder fired PJ Carlesimo? Even Dwight Howard can coach this future hall of famer better than PJ!
I give it about 6 months before the fans, media, and KD's camp realize that it's a complete travesty that one of the league's brightest stars along with an impressive young cast of Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook are stuck in Oklahoma City of all places. How robber Clay Bennett lucked into this situation is beyond me.
Hopefully Durant can escape before 2012. Cap-space for NY, LA, Chicago in 2012 would be a good thing- maybe for the Bay Area as well if Chris Cohan sells the team to an owner who actually has a clue.
Here's what's on tap tonight:
- NBDL All-Star Game (4pm on NBATV)- This is like Xmas for our friends over at Ridiculous Upside.
-
Shooting Stars (everything from here starts at 5pm on TNT- Available on TNT OT online)
- Skills Challenge
- Three-Point Shootout
- Slam Dunk Competition
Jump with me for a preview of my Valentine's Day date with All-Star Saturday.
This one's a fun playground game to actually play during basketball practice or just messing around with some of your buddies on the blacktop or hardwood. It's actually not that bad to watch either.
Here's how it works:
Shot 1: 10-foot bank shot from right-side angle (Player A)
Shot 2: 15-foot shot from left side-angle (Player B)
Shot 3: NBA 3-point shot from top of the arc/straight on (Player C)
Shot 4: 18-foot shot from right-side baseline (Player A)
Shot 5: NBA 3-Pt. shot from left side angle (Player B)
Shot 6: Shot from just inside half-court/straight on (Player C, Player A, Player B, repeat)Each team is given two minutes to complete the course. The clock will be started at 0:00 and count up, and stopped by the referee's whistle when the team makes Shot 6. If a team doesn't complete all six shots as of the 2:00 mark, the horn will sound and their score will be based upon the total number of shots completed.
Here's the participants:
- Team San Antonio: Tim Duncan, David Robinson and Becky Hammon
- Team Detroit: Arron Afflalo, Bill Laimbeer and Katie Smith
- Team Los Angeles: Derek Fisher, Michael Cooper and Lisa Leslie
- Team Phoenix: Leandro Barbosa, Dan Majerle and Tangela Smith
All I know is I'm glad there's no Team Golden State participating. Can you imagine if Biedrins was on the squad? Watching him shoot any of those jumpshots would be pretty hilarious.
Prediction: Home team Phoenix for a bright win.
This one's another great playground or practice drill. I have no idea where you're going to find all the necessary props, but if anyone knows please kindly let everyone know in the comments.
The Rules
The object of the PlayStation Skills Challenge is to complete an obstacle course -- that features dribbling, passing and shooting stations -- in the least amount of time. In doing so, all players must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules.
On a referee's whistle, the players start with a layup and then slalom through three obstacles (first going left, then right, then left) which emphasize the cross-over dribble before reaching the chest pass station. The players have five chances to complete the pass before moving on to the bounce pass station. Again, participants have five chances to complete the pass before moving to the top of the key.
There, they must make a shot from 20 feet in five attempts. After the jumper station, the participants move to the outlet pass station and have five chances to complete that pass. After that station, the players must go through the speed dribble course (left-right-left) and then finish the course when the ball goes through the hoop. Any type of shot may be taken to finish the course.
The fastest two times advance to the finals where the fastest time will determine the winner.
Also, players could be subject to disqualification (at the final discretion and judgment of the referee) for failure to attempt all of the challenges as they are designed and intended to be completed.
They Got Skillz:
- Devin Harris- If only flopping were part of the challenge, he'd take it easy.
- Tony Parker- Over/under on camera cuts to Eva Longoria = 5.
- Derrick Rose- Good thing defense isn't part of this event.
- Mo Williams- Should be interesting to see what kind of "skills" Mo has when he's not playing alongside a triple-teamed LeBron James.
