Skills Challenge, 3 point shootout, and the Dunk Contest
We can definitely say that this years NBA All Star Saturday was very controversial. Starting off with the skills challenge I must say the league has changed dramatically over the years. Some years ago, there was no such thing as a forward even in the challenge, it was strictly for guards. I remember watching my favorite player of all-time dominate the challenge for back to back years, and that player happens to be Dwyane Wade who we will discuss later. Seeing all the guards get eliminated in the first round by all big men I must say is quite impressive. Miami’s very own Bam Adebayo took the trophy home. I thought it was very competitive.
The 3 point shootout added a new Mountain Dew three point line which had two locations. Both locations 30 feet away in the “Steph Range, Trae Young, or Dame Dolla Range” were worth 3 points each. I was very excited as I think this was the best 3 point shootout I’ve seen in a long time. We had guys with over 20 points not qualifying to the final. I must say I was impressed with Devin Booker as he was a replacement. He killed those guys out there. Being a Heat Fan my prediction was for Duncan Robinson to win but he also got knocked out in the first round. Buddy Hield of Sacramento took home the trophy on the very last shot.
The Dunk Contest was very interesting. I sure didn’t expect Dwight Howard to win it as the 34 Year olds best years are behind him. However, I think his first dunk was very underrated. But anyways to what really matters, Derrick Jones Jr. and Aaron Gordon. Many say Gordon was robbed, many say it should have been a tie, few say Derrick Jones Jr. deserved to win. And I am in that few. Aaron Gordon had a spectacular night putting up 5 50’s! I personally just wasn’t impressed with the Tacko Fall dunk, just off the strength that he didn’t clear him. I mean Tacko almost fell if we are being honest. However, I think Derrick Jones Jr just happened to be the better dunker that night. Which isn’t taking away anything from Gordon. I believed Gordon was Snubbed in 2016, but not this year. These Dwyane Wade conspiracies I don’t understand. He gave Aaron Gordon a 9 and everyone said that he ruined it for a former teammate to win. When he gave that same guy a 9 earlier in the contest for missing a dunk. He was being fair. Common stated the judges said it was supposed to be a tie. But my question is since when do judges make collective decisions? I thought they were supposed to make individual decisions. Anyways, thats my take on DWade as a judge. Other judges also gave 9’s. If it was up to me, I would only allow Former contest champions and big game dunkers to be on the panel in the first place. Guys like, Vince Carter, Dr. J, Dominque, Shaq, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Blake Griffin, Spud Webb, Nate Robinson, T-Mac, MJ, LBJ, and yes even Dwyane Wade. Thats my take. What’s yours?
Kees Coverage 