On a night where the NBA puts on a showcase of its most talented thoroughbreds through high flying dunks, three point shots, and a skills competition, the most exciting moment of the night came through the jokes of all-star comedian Kevin Hart.
The NBA had plenty of stars on display, like Kevin Durant, Tony Parker, and Kevin Love, but their presence and performance weren’t enough to lend thrill to the night’s bubbling atmosphere. Fans and celebrities kept waiting for a moment that would make them explode, but unfortunately it never came.
There was no Vince Carter to stick his arm through the rim after a dunk or a Craig Hodges to drain 19 straight threes. No Blake Griffin jumping over a car or Dwight Howard playing superman, it was just a night of un-known guys jumping above the rim.
But, sans the lack of excitement in the dunk contest, there were moments of triumph for others.
The night started off the NBA Shooting Stars event. Players past and present, including WNBA talent, were involved. Team New York featured former Knick great Allan Houston, guard Landry Fields, and New York Liberty player Cappie Pondexter. The collection of New York talent was able to snatch victory as Houston drained his third half court shot attempt.
Next was the Skills Competition. New Jersey Nets point guard Deron Williams looked to regain the title as Skills champion. In 2008, Williams set the record for fastest time at 25.5 seconds, and he was out to make sure no player broke his record.
Williams started strong, but finished weak. He sputtered in the final round and was eliminated. The suave and pure point guard from San Antonio, Tony Parker, emerged as champion as he breezed through each turn. He looked slow to me, but he was kick enough to come out as the victor.
After Parker stepped off of the stage with his trophy, it was time for the night’s two most anticipated events: The Three Point Contest and the Dunk Contest.
Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant, Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Love, and Miami point guard Mario Chalmers were just a few of the participants. Love is best known for his rebounding and Durant as a scorer with a deadly instinct.
After Durant gave a furious rally in the final round, Love took care of business. He was the player with the lowest three point percentage of all who contested, but he still did enough to win.
The night’s main event was the evening’s most boring. The NBA Dunk Contest is usually known for flair, creativity, and excitement, but there were only a few clap out loud moments.
The NBA added Utah Jazz player Jeremy Evans at the last minute to replace an injured Knicks guard, Iman Shumpert. Evans got about 12 hours of practice time and got a few dunks in on the Amway floor after the NBA Rising Stars Challenge wrapped. He started off bad as his first dunk featured him wearing a head camera so that fans could get a first person view of how a dunk looks.
See video of Jeremy Evans double-dunking HERE.
He soon gained his focus and showed why he was the best baller on the floor. Evans jumped over a seated individual on the court and dunk two different basketballs at once. Houston Rocker’s Chase Budinger leaped over entertainer P. Diddy for his first dunk and Derrick Williams jumped over a motorcycle.
Indiana Pacers player Paul George turned the lights out and dunked with a glow in the dark jersey and basketball. The players tried their best at being creative and fresh, but there is only so much one can do. We have virtually seen every dunk and each year its get tougher, and tougher to watch and judge.
Overall, All-Star Saturday night was a success for the league. Throngs of celebrities lined the court-side to watch the high flying performances and the Amway was packed with people.
Jeremy Evans, Tony Parker, and Kevin Love owned the night, but it was the lack of excitement that seemed to fill the air.
