News from February 16.

The NBA Players Association fired executive director Billy Hunter.


All-Star Saturday Night results - at Houston, Texas

In a change, the first round of all events had the 3 players (2 teams for
Shooting Stars) for each conference compete against each other and the top
East player compete against the the top West player in the final round.
They also an East/West competition where they combined the East/West
totals in the first round and the East/West winner would get a certain
amount of points and then in the finals the East/West winner would get a
certain amount of points and the total of the points East/West winner
would have $350,000 donated to a specified charity and the loser's
charity would receive $150,000.

Shooting Stars  (must make shot from 6 spots on court in shortest time)
1st round  (East/West winner advances)
  East:
    Chris Bosh (Mia), Dominique Wilkins, Swin Cash        0:50.0
    Brook Lopez (Bro), Muggsy Bogues, Tamika Catchings    1:07
  West: [West 20 points]
    Russell Westbrook (OKC), Robert Horry, Maya Moore     0:29.5
    James Harden (Hou), Sam Cassell, Tina Thompson        0:37.0

Finals  [East 10 points]
  Team Bosh        1:29
  Team Westbrook   1:30  [shot 2nd, stopped after known they lost]


Skills Competition (obstacle course dribbling, shooting, passing;
  timed event)
1st round  (East/West winner advances)
  East: [East 30 points]
    Jrue Holiday (Phi)    29.3 seconds
    Brandon Knight (Det)  32.2 seconds
    Jeff Teague (Atl)     49.4 seconds
  West: 
    Damian Lillard (Por)  28.8 seconds
    Jeremy Lin (Hou)      35.8 seconds
    Tony Parker (SA)      48.7 seconds

Finals  [West 10 points]
  Damian Lillard (Por)    29.8 seconds
  Jrue Holiday (Phi)      35.6 seconds


3-point Shootout (5 racks of 5 balls - 4 worth 1 point, 1 worth 2 points)
1st Round  (East/West winner advance)
  East:
    Kyrie Irving (Cle)       18
    Steve Novak (NY)         17
    Paul George (Ind)        10
  West:  [40 points]
    Matt Bonner (SA)         19
    Ryan Anderson (NO)       18
    Stephen Curry (GS)       17

Finals  [East 10 points]
    Kyrie Irving (Cle)       23
    Matt Bonner (SA)         20


Slam Dunk Contest (2 dunks each round)
[you try until you make one for 1:30 minutes, then 1 last attempt]
1st Round  (East/West winner advance)
  (score=total, 5 judges give points)

  East: [20 points (2 10 points bonus for 50 dunk)]
    Terrence Ross (Tor)  50a 49b = 99
    Gerald Green (Ind)   50c 32d = 82
    James White (NY)     45  32e = 77
a) wrapped ball behind back, one-hand dunk
b) lob bounce, spin dunk, one-handed
c) teammate tossed ball off side of backboard, overhead dunk
d) missed all dunks attempted (but did it after turn was over - had net
   removed and double-dunked the ball)
e) missed all dunks attempted 

  West: [70 points (2 10 points bonus for 50 dunk)]
    Jeremy Evans (Uta)   47a 43b = 90
    Kenneth Faried (Den) 39  50c = 89
    Eric Bledsoe (LAC)   39  50d = 89
a) sitting Mark Eaton holding ball, jumper over Eaton and 2-hand dunk
b) 2 balls, spin and dunk both
c) lob off backboard, under leg, one-hand power jam
d) lob bounce, flying windmill


Finals (2 dunks, fan voting (text messaging))
  Terrence Ross (Tor)   58%  [East 55 points]
  Jeremy Evans (Uta)    42%

Ross
  1st dunk: teammate toss off side of backboard, spin dunk
  2nd dunk: jump over kid, ball through leg one-hand slam (ala Isaiah
            Rider)

Evans
  1st dunk: windmill over large painting (painting of dunk)
  2nd dunk: sitting teammate toss ball up, jump over teammate and one-hand
            slam

Charity total: West 140 points, East 125


All-Star Schedule  - at Houston, Texas  (All times Central)
Sunday, February 17
 12:00 - 1:30  Legends Brunch                NBATV
  7:00         All-Star Game                 TNT

Schedule for Monday, February 18  (All times Central)
  No games scheduled

Schedule for Tuesday, February 19  (All times Central)
  Toronto @ Washington           6:00 pm
  Charlotte @ Orlando            6:00 pm
  Milwaukee @ Brooklyn           6:30 pm
  Memphis @ Detroit              6:30 pm
  Chicago @ New Orleans          7:00 pm
  Boston @ Denver                8:00 pm
  Golden State @ Utah            8:00 pm
  San Antonio @ Sacramento       9:00 pm
  Phoenix @ Portland             9:00 pm


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  Patricia Bender                       pbender@eskimo.com
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