Shorts: Big and Small (Deal)

     The 2010 NBA All Star Weekend is over and a part of history, but not all of its activities were big deals.

BIG Deals


Venue - The main attraction for this year's festivities was the Dallas Cowboys' Stadium.  Expecting a mammoth crowd of over 90,000 people, everyone was awed as over 108,000 people packed the venue to watch the All Star Game.  The 2010 All Star Game now has the world record for the largest crowd to ever watch a basketball game and this bodes well for the ticket sales for Manny Pacquiao's fight against challenger Joshua Clottey, which will be in this same venue.

Steve Nash - My main man had a dream weekend for himself, starting with lighting the Olympic torch in his hometown Vancouver, Canada, then beating much younger players over a decade younger in the NBA Skills Challenge and then dishing out an impressive 14 assists in the NBA All Star Games.  Not bad for a 36 year old people said Phoenix should abandon.


Paul Pierce - The Celtic franchise player had a dismal first foray into the Long Distance Shoot Out, so he really looked forward to redeeming himself this year.  Redeem himself he did, as he scored 20 points in the finals to beat rookie Stephen Curry and "Mr. Big Shot" Chauncey Billups.

Dwayne Wade - With all the talk of the West's plans to feed hometown hero Dirk Nowitzki passes to make him MVP, Wade went about his business and got the MVP award for himself, while having fun doing it.  The Miami Heat star collected 28 points, 6 rebounds, 11 assists and 5 steals, proving he can be the biggest deal in a team full of big deals.






small Deals

All participants of the Slam Dunk Contest - This year's crop of contestants, DeMar De Rozan, Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown and eventual champ Nate Robinson, produced one of the most boring Slam Dunk Contests ever, barely getting the crowd on its feet, save for 1 or 2 dunks.  While I think it's stupid that people keep calling for the abolition of the Slam Dunk Contest (since all dunks have supposed to have been seen already), these guys didn't help the popularity of the contest at all.

George Karl - The coach of the Denver Nuggets had his third try at coaching an All Star Game but third time was not the charm for Karl, as his West team lost to the East by two, 141 to 139.  His coaching stint included what seemed to be a final play where all players were confused at what to do, leaving Carmelo Anthony to throw up a hurried three pointer in an effort to win the game.  While the All Star Game is a no bearing exhibition match, wouldn't it be nice to win one, George?


Sophomores Team - While they have an excuse (Derrick Rose did not play), the Sophomores Team undoubtedly are disappointed in themselves, losing to the Rookies Team, 128-140.  The loss snapped the Sophomores' 7 year win streak and gave the rookies only their second win in 10 years.  The rookies were led by game MVP Tyreke Evans who scored 26 points and Da Juan Blair, who scored 22 points and grabbed 23 rebounds (the game's first 20-20 game).  I wonder if this crop of Sophomores will ever live it down.


photos courtesy of Getty Images and Ball Don't Lie