WORDS BY: MIKEY AGULTO
February 18, 2010 | 1814 views
Skills Challenge
Mainly a competition among guards, the NBA Skills Challenge requires contestants to finish a whole court’s worth of passing, shooting, and dribbling obstacles at the least possible time.
Since its formation in 2003, the likes of Jason Kidd, Gilbert Arenas, and Tony Parker has competed annually, with Steve Nash and Dwyane Wade garnering the most number of wins with two each.
But the most talked about Skills Challenge was back in 2006-2007 season, when often-matched stars Kobe Bryant and LeBron James joined Dwyane Wade and Chris Paul in a massive all-star showdown. Wade finished with the best record of 26.4 seconds.
Rookies vs. Sophomores Challenge
The future of the NBA lies here, with all the top rookie-sophomore prospects playing in one fun-filled, happy go lucky game. Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, LeBron James, and Amare Stoudamire all made a massive statement during their respective rookie year that practically says “I’ll be back here next year”.
Durant holds the record for most points scored in a game with 46 in 2009. Teammate Russell Westbrook followed it up the year after with 40. This challenge started off featuring only rookies, until the sophomore concept entered in 2000. The Boston Celtics and the Cleveland Cavaliers boasts the most participants ever with 13 each.
The NBA All-Star Game
There are so many things to talk about here we don’t even know where to start. Considered as the main event of the All Star Weekend, the best of the best from both sides of the coast battle it out for the sake of fun and entertainment.
Rooting back to 1951, the first ever All Star game was held at Boston and was won by the Eastern Conference team. Recent years indicate the Western Conference team as more prevalent, but the Eastern Conference All-Stars lead the all-time series 36–23.
Bob Pettit is the only person to win the All-Star Game MVP four times. Oscar Robertson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and Shaquille O'Neal have each won the award three times, while Bob Cousy, Julius Erving, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Karl Malone, Allen Iverson, and LeBron James have all won the award twice.
The team with the most points ever scored was in a legendary 2003 battle that features Michael Jordan’s final appearance in the All Star Game.
The Western players scored 155 points to win in the 2nd overtime, courtesy of a game-saving performance by Kevin Garnett. Wilt Chamberlain, however, holds the record for most points scored in a single All Star Game with 42 back in 1962.
Kareem Abdul Jabbar holds the record for most All-Star appearances with 19, with fellow big man Shaquille O’Neal following at 15 and counting. There is a massive number of one hit wonders however, notably Nick Van Exel, Clifford Robinson, and John Starks.
