Terrence
Ross channels Vince Carter, Chris Paul leads the West, and Kobe Bryant took
it to LeBron James as things got testy in the most recent NBA All-Star Weekend,
which was held in the heart of Texas – Houston – these past several days.
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| Chris Paul wins his first All-Star Game MVP award. (image by Eric Gay/AP) |
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| A thing of beauty by Kobe. (image by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) |
Here are my
five favorite moments from the 2013 NBA All-Star Weekend:
Kyrie crosses Knight
In the
1990s, Tim Hardaway was the King of the Crossover. Allen Iverson dethroned him
in the early 2000s. After watching this over and over, however, it might be
safe to say the crossover crown can finally be given to someone else. Sorry it
had to be your ankles that got twisted, Brandon Knight.
Terrence Ross does Vinsanity
I think
Ross’s between-the-legs-over-the-ball-boy jam was sick, but there’s nothing
like a throwdown throwback to one of the greatest dunkers of all time. It also
helped that the Toronto Raptors jersey Ross wore was the most stylish one the
franchise ever sported.
Usain Bolt travels
So this
track star can dunk the basketball! Wow! I mean, he’s the fastest guy in the
world, and he can climb the air stairs and stuff it! Of course, the only
problem is he doesn’t know how to count his steps.
Chris Paul is All-Star MVP
Chris Paul
welcomed Joakim Noah to the All-Star Game by hitting a late trey in his face.
And then Noah slams his elbow into Paul’s face. And then the West win anyway
and Paul runs away with the first individual award of his NBA career, since his
ROY. Clearly, still the best PG on the planet. Clearly.
5 > 1… TWICE!
I blame
Michael Jordan for this one. Actually I thank him. Somewhere out there, his
Airness is probably smiling, thinking how, after all these years, he still has
the power to influence an actual NBA game. And he didn’t even really lift a
finger. All he did was stoke the rivalry between LBJ and KB24 by stating a
mathematical no-brainer – 5 is greater
than 1. Of course the GOAT knew LeBron didn’t have enough self-control to
simply take things in stride. Of course LeBron just had to “defend” himself
(giving us a good example of a faulty analogy in the process). Of course Kobe
just had to show him up. Not once, but twice.
2013 All-Star Weekend Day 1 Top Plays:
2013 Rising Stars Challenge Mini-Movie:
2013 All-Star Weekend Day 2 Top Plays:
2013 All-Star Weekend Day 2 Mini-Movie:
2013 All-Star Weekend Day 3 Top Plays:
2013 All-Star Game Mini-Movie:
5 Comment
Really with the LeBron hate again... LeBron actually gave a good argument because benchwarmers can win rings. Might also be worth noting that of 19 meetings against Kobe, LeBron has won 13 of them. He is averaging more points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks than Kobe in those 19 games. Numbers don't lie. I need to find a different blog to read.
BalasIs this blog written by Skip Bayless
BalasAnonymous: Conflicting POVs are welcome and encouraged :) I'm sure my fellow Hoop Nut, Rolly, will balance the unabashed hate with more Heat-appreciative insights soon enough. And, no, that benchwarmer argument is really a faulty analogy. There's no way around it. Still, that, along Kobe's two blocks, won't diminish the great season LeBron has been having.
BalasJay: Skip? Pwede! :)
I would actually surrender to the argument that MJ's 6 Finals MVPs and Kobe's 2 looks a lot better than LeBron's 1. All good though. I was actually surprised to see Miami atop your power rankings. I will still be an avid reader (outside LeBron articles haha!) hoping for more Gilas content soon!
BalasYeah I was surprised we placed the Heat at #1, too, but, alas, it is what it is. They are playing at such a high level. Darn it. Yes, A LOT MORE Gilas stuff coming as we close in on FIBA Asia :)
Balas