The annual NBA All-Star Weekend is always bound to produce some noteworthy moments, and this year’s version of the event was no different. Out of all the things that happened in New York City over the weekend, five in particular stand out.
1. Russell Westbrook doing Russell Westbrook things. – Westbrook doesn’t want to be in the dunk contest…because he’d rather dunk on people. And dunk on people he did on Sunday night, on his way to a game-high 41 points, which included an NBA All-Star Game record 27 points in the first half. Westbrook actually came within two points of breaking the single-game record set by Wilt Chamberlain. The game on Sunday night might have been an exhibition, but Westbrook showed that he is incapable of turning things down, and is always looking to best someone.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOHFaeYSZx0
2. Zach LaVine and the surprisingly awesome Dunk Contest. – Let’s face it, the Dunk Contest has lost it’s luster over the last several years, as less and less of the league’s superstars have opted to participate, combined with the silly usage of gimmicks, props, and advertisements for Kia sedans. Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Zach LaVine restored our hopes on Saturday night, and even had Dr. J himself captivated with his skills in the air.
After a slow start, Orlando Magic guard Victor Oladipo got the crowd going with this ridiculous reverse:
He was later outdone by LaVine, who would throw down this Space Jam-inspired dunk on his second attempt.
LaVine was eventually crowned the winner, and would later say that he could take LeBron in a dunk contest. One can only hope that such fighting words will cause LeBron and his All-Star brethren to consider making an appearance next season. (It won’t.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SF916Pyk4Bs
3. Stephen Curry’s Three-Point Contest performance. – It’s highly possible that the annual Three-Point Contest now holds more intrigue than the Dunk Contest. That is largely due to the fact that superstars still actually compete in the event, as the long-range shot has actually gained more notoriety and respect in recent years. This year’s lineup was arguably the best in NBA history, with players such as Curry, Kyle Thompson, J.J. Redick, James Harden, Kyle Korver, and reigning champion Marco Belinelli competing against each other for the title.
Curry, who set the NBA record with 272 3-pointers in a season two years ago, took home the crown on his fourth try. He scored 27 points in the final round, connecting on 13 consecutive shots until missing his final attempt. His 13 consecutive makes were enough to surpass Larry Bird and move to No. 2 in consecutive shots made behind Craig Hodges, who hit 19 straight in the 1991 version of the event.
4. Dominique Wilkins’ half-court winner(!). – Full disclosure: Dominique Wilkins is my all-time favorite player. I had his No. 21 Hawks jersey in elementary school. I only played as the Hawks on NBA Jam, hopelessly trying to win the game with just ‘Nique as I let Stacy Augmon run around aimlessly. I own several VHS tapes of past All-Star Weekends, both purchased and recorded, not to mention numerous trading cards. I think he should have won the 1988 Dunk Contest over Michael Jordan. So you can imagine my excitement when The Human Highlight Film, who still looks like he can play in the league (he obviously could,) hit a half-court shot to win the 2015 NBA Shooting Stars competition as a member of Team Bosh. The moment was too good to be true for yours truly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wom1UJtwoSQ
5. Pau and Marc Gasol playing against each other. – Pau and Marc Gasol became the first brothers on Sunday to ever start opposite each other in the NBA All-Star Game. It was a rather heart-warming and fun moment to watch the brothers embrace each other during introductions, and their opening tip-off against one another was a nice touch as well. The Gasols didn’t really have any noteworthy moments during the actual game, but it their appearance together added an enjoyable element to the contest.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdbt-afm48Q
