Live Blog: NBA Saturday Night!

(02/16/2008)

7:17

Well, not quite the main event is here... though in truth, for many people this IS the main event. The dunk contest used to be one of the coolest things on the planet. The three-point contest has, at times, been epic. And with two Hornets in the competitions tonight (Peja in the three-point shootout, CP3 in the skills challenge), this promises to be an intriguing night for fans all over New Orleans.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:17

7:20

They've started things off with a bit o' local music for the pallete. Not bad. It puts me in a better mood than I was in an hour and a half ago when I was buried in traffic. How does this town weather a BCS Championship Game, the Sugar Bowl and freakin' Mardi Gras better than they do this thing? I swear, an intern must have been in charge of traffic this weekend.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:20

7:26

[Comment From MerMer: ]

What's the atmosphere like in there?

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:26 Mer

7:27

The crowd is a pretty good one I'd say. We aren't anywhere near a full house yet, but the late-arrivers are filing in, as they usually do.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:27

7:27

Peja naturally got a very large applause during introductions,

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:27

7:28

[Comment From MerMer: ]

Who are you most looking forward to seeing?

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:28 Mer

7:31

The dunk contest had fallen off in recent years, as many of the elite stars had been avoiding the competition ... severely watering the thing down. This year does not follow that trend in the slightest. Rudy Gay and Dwight Howard may not be as well-known as Michael Jordan and Spud Webb, but these are bigtime players and can really go off. Howard, in particular, has made a habit of thunderous dunks during regular-season play, so it'll be fun seeing what he can come up with no limitations tonight.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:31

7:32

[Comment From jimmyjimmy: ]

Filling up in there yet?

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:32 jimmy

7:34

Still not quite where it should be, but we've got a lot of competitions going on tonight, and some people may be taking their time with no interest in the Shooting Stars competition, which kicks things off.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:34

7:34

Chris Duhon hits the half-courter to give Chicago a time of 36.9 seconds.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:34

7:36

Phoenix is having issues -- Eddie Johnson held 'em up and they finished with a time of 50.9.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:36

7:36

San Antonio is up next, followed by Detroit, which one this contest last year.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:36

7:37

(er, won)

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:37

7:37

[Comment From MerMer: ]

San Antonio - w00t!!!!

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:37 Mer

7:40

Their rosters look like this:

DETROIT
Swin Cash
Chauncey Billups
Bill Laimbeer

SAN ANTONIO
Becky Hammon
Tim Duncan
David Robinson

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:40

7:40

Nice shot by the Admiral!
41.4 seconds for the Spurs.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:40

7:41

Their half-courter took just one attempt, which is borderline nuts.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:41

7:42

This is brutal.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:42

7:42

Detroit finished with 57.6.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:42

7:42

Chicago and San Antonio to decide it now.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:42

7:43

[Comment From PopsPops: ]

Chauncey Billups was really struggling at the three-point line.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:43 Pops

7:45

Cash wasn't helping matters either. That was a pretty brutal display by the defending champs. Of course, I couldn't do any better, but at least I can sit back and criticize and ACT like I could do better.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:45

7:45

Which is really all that matters, in the final analysis.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:45

7:47

Duncan one-handed!!! 35.8 for the Spurs, and that will definitely be tough to beat.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:47

7:47

Armstrong looking good.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:47

7:49

Man, the Bulls had a good shot at it, with something like 15 seconds to go and only the half-courter to make, but they couldn't hit the darn thing. They finished over 50 seconds and the Spurs win it!

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:49

7:49

[Comment From MerMer: ]

Woohoo!

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:49 Mer

7:50

LOL -- good point by the P.A. announcer -- two 7-footers on the Spurs team and they win the sharp-shooting contest? That is some weird, weird stuff right there.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:50

7:51

So they're rolling the buckets out there, and it looks like we'll be seeing the Skills Challenge next ... which means CP3 is ready to kick some tail.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:51

7:52

(at least I hope so)

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:52

7:52

Dave=biased. But I'm okay with that. Really, I am.

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:52

7:57

More than any other contest, the Skills Challenge features the best of the elite. Kidd, Wade, Paul, Williams ... that is just plain sick. This should be hotly contested ... and a lot of fun!

Saturday February 16, 2008 7:57

8:01

31.2 for Williams -- I came away impressed with his passing on that run. His outlet pass was quality.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:01

8:02

LOL -- Kidd couldn't shoot, thereby dooming his chances at winning the thing. 39.7

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:02

8:03

Kind of appropriate, I'd say.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:03

8:04

CP3 goes nuts with a time of 29.9!

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:04

8:04

He nailed the jumper at the top of the key, which really helped him. Of course, that's what I'd expect of him.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:04

8:05

Wade has flamed out in spectacular fashion.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:05

8:06

53.9 -- and it wasn't even that good. He bumped into one of the obstacles, then couldn't hit the jumper, then missed his outlet pass, and it went downhill from there. Yeesh.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:06

8:07

So Paul vs. Williams for the title. You've got to like Paul's chances, but Williams looked good too. It'll probably come down to the jumper once again. If one of them struggles there, they are toast.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:07

8:09

Wade killed himself by getting fancy with the crossover, then he just dogged it from there. Not exactly a good example to make of oneself with so many kids watching. At least he didn't moon the TV camera or something.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:09

8:10

Chirs Tucker is here with Alyssa Milano. That's a bit of an odd couple ... I thought she only dated ball players.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:10

8:11

25.5 for Williams -- he nailed every last skill. He didn't struggle with a single thing and set a new record for the competition.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:11

8:11

That's a tall order for CP3

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:11

8:11

[Comment From RocRoc: ]

CP3 ftw!

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:11 Roc

8:12

Nice run by Paul, but he just couldn't compete with perfection.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:12

8:13

31.2 seconds for Paul, thanks to a missed jumper and a missed chest pass. Congrats to Williams!

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:13

8:28

I'd like to point out for the record that the NBA's idea of wireless access would be somewhat laughable if I weren't ready to burst into tears right about now ... oy.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:28

8:28

[Comment From rrrr: ]

So who's everyone picking for the 3pt shootout? I'm thinking Peja...

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:28 rr

8:28

Rip starts things off with 14 -- which in most years is a decent score. If a couple of guys get hot he'll be in trouble though.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:28

8:30

17 for Gibson.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:30

8:31

He started off cold, but he looked good for ahwile there in the middle of the contest.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:31

8:31

Nash has 2 through 2 racks -- not good!

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:31

8:59

While we were gone, Kapano dominated the 3-point contest with a monster effort. He tied the flippin' record with a final score of 25

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:59

8:59

A connection is good, not that I'd know with the NBA's pathetic excuse for a wireless network, but still, connection is good.

Saturday February 16, 2008 8:59

9:00

[Comment From jimmyjimmy: ]

crowd better now?

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:00 jimmy

9:01

Yep, the lower bowl is mostly full, and the upper bowl aint bad either. It would be better with a true full house, but it's not like the fans had a fair shot at tickets anyway.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:01

9:02

Nash stunk it up worse than I normally would back on my parents' driveway.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:02

9:03

Peja had a nice go of it, but his final money ball rimmed out, and that was ultimately the difference for him, as he needed a 17 to move on. Instead he notched a respectable 15.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:03

9:04

Kapono was stroking the thing though. He's got a real knack for this sort of thing ... as two consecutive contest victories demonstrate.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:04

9:04

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Did Dr. John put the crowd in a coma? He sure put me in one.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:04 Ryan

9:06

Good point. Not what I'd call "pump up" music. With the dunk contest next, wouldn't something a little more up-tempo make sense?

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:06

9:07

Then again, the organizers here couldnt get me a decent connection and the entire arena is seemingly shrouded by the dark side of the force -- perhaps we're expecting too much?

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:07

9:07

[Comment From UleeUlee: ]

Finally the Dunk contest. I want Rudy Gay or Dwight Howard to win. I think Dwight was robbed last year. He should have made it to the second round. The sticker dunk was original.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:07 Ulee

9:08

The rules say each contestant has a 2-minute time limit. I wonder what kind of dunk would take longer than 2 minutes? The "one lap around the arena" dunk?

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:08

9:10

Gay and Howard would have to be the favorites methinks, even though Green won last year.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:10

9:10

Howard can really bring it in game situations -- I want to see what he can do here tonight.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:10

9:12

Message me with your personal scores and I'll post them.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:12

9:12

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Only 4 dunkers this year?

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:12 Ryan

9:13

Yep -- they streamlined the thing for some reason.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:13

9:13

[Comment From UleeUlee: ]

Green's dunk is called the birthday cake? What is he going to eat cake in one hand and dunk the ball in the other?

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:13 Ulee

9:14

Nice one from Moon -- you can't fault that. No gimmick to it, but still smooth as heck. alley-oop 360 good for 46 points.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:14

9:15

I'd have given it a 9

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:15

9:16

Gay's was clean and more difficult than it looks, but it sure wasn't flashy. He gets a 37 -- Dave's rank is a 7

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:16

9:16

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

6 by Gay

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:16 Ryan

9:17

I like the buildup for Howard's dunk ... the suspense is fantastic.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:17

9:17

Holy cow!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:17

9:17

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:17 Ryan

9:18

50 for Howard -- off the back of the backboard then a tomahawk for the finish

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:18

9:18

Sick sick sick -- I'd have scored it perfect too -- 10 easy!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:18

9:18

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

That's an 11.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:18 Ryan

9:19

Very Spinal-Tap -- "This one goes to 11!"

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:19

9:20

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

This looks ridiculous.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:20 Ryan

9:20

He blew out the candle on the cupcake before jamming it home!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:20

9:21

Insane .. gimmicky as heck, but that was still cool as heck. I'd score that a 9 I think, but only because Howard's was perfect.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:21

9:21

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

WOW

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:21 Ryan

9:22

The judges give him a 46, which ties him with Moon. Howard's perfect score keeps him ahead of both,

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:22

9:22

[Comment From UleeUlee: ]

wow!1 i'm impressed and his score should have been higher

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:22 Ulee

9:23

Gay better do something amazing to keep himself in this thing.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:23

9:24

The bar is VERY high this year.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:24

9:25

Better.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:25

9:26

The difficulty on that was immense -- netting him a 48 from the judges. Still I think the bounce off the back beam was at least part of the difficulty and that was done by his teammate.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:26

9:26

I'd score that one a 9

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:26

9:27

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Eh..I would give it an 8.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:27 Ryan

9:27

The Windmill was a nice touch.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:27

9:28

[Comment From JayJay: ]

50 if Moon makes this one.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:28 Jay

9:28

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

NO WAY he makes it that far.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:28 Ryan

9:29

Nice job!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:29

9:29

44 from the judges -- just inside the free throw line.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:29

9:29

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Nice, but not a 50. I say 46.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:29 Jay

9:30

I'd have scored it an 8 I think. That didn't seem as difficult as his first dunk.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:30

9:32

this'll be fun -- windmill with the handoff from his teammate at the top of the ladder. That gets him a 45. That was definitely an 8 or 9 -- call it an 8.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:32

9:32

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Win or lose. Gerald Green is the most creative so far.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:32 Jay

9:32

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Nice. I say 46.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:32 Jay

9:32

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

meh

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:32 Ryan

9:32

The cape is awesome! Go Superman, go!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:32

9:33

Howard OMG!!!!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:33

9:33

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:33

9:33

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Ok, put a hold on that creativity award. If he makes this one, it will be on ESPN all night.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:33 Jay

9:33

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

WINNER

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:33 Ryan

9:33

[Comment From JayJay: ]

ok 50!!!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:33 Jay

9:34

[Comment From UleeUlee: ]

lol superman!!!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:34 Ulee

9:34

Nice pass, wonderful presentation.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:34

9:35

His dunk was sort of fudged though -- I give him a 9 only because he didn't get his hand on the rim.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:35

9:36

But we've got Green and Howard now for the final -- Very nice indeed! Both of these guys are being uber-creative.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:36

9:36

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Yet, he could have dunked it if he wanted to...He was up so high he threw it through

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:36 Ryan

9:36

[Comment From JayJay: ]

The build up and the cape put him over the top.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:36 Jay

9:36

[Comment From UleeUlee: ]

The commentators are saying he was so high and flying above the rim that he threw the ball in.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:36 Ulee

9:38

It was one of the craziest dunks I've ever seen -- glad to see Howard really go over the top this year after his disappointing finish last year. He's going above and beyond.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:38

9:40

I'm just glad the dunk contest is back to being relevant again. For a few years there it was a joke.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:40

9:41

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Looks like a pretty good crowd at the arena tonight. I went last night, but could not make it tonight.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:41 Jay

9:42

Not bad -- I'd give it an 8. Between the legs is always difficult, but it was almost a letdown after the earlier dunks.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:42

9:42

[Comment From JayJay: ]

mmmm....48 for Green

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:42 Jay

9:43

The hand switch!!!! Howard throws it off the board with one hand, then catches the rebound with the other for an insane throwdown. 10. That is a 10.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:43

9:43

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Your winner is Howard!!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:43 Jay

9:43

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Dwwwwwiiiight Howard!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:43 Ryan

9:44

No debate whatsoever -- Howard is owning this thing thus far. All three of his dunks will make SportsCenter's top 10.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:44

9:45

Nice gimmick for Green -- no shoes and between the legs for the flush. Again, harder than it looks. Call it a 9 ... and call Howard the winner if he can do anything decent here.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:45

9:46

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Yes. Howard's dunks will definetly make the ESPN replays tonight.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:46 Jay

9:46

[Comment From GeneGene: ]

Howard is hilarious

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:46 Gene

9:46

Howard has put on a tremendous show for the city of New Orleans -- and I am loving it!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:46

9:48

A decent finish -- not his best by a long shot, but still solid, taking the pinned ball from the side of the goal and putting it in there. I'd give that an 8 I think, which is a disappointing finish in some ways.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:48

9:48

[Comment From JayJay: ]

Safe dunk (good idea). Howard is the winner!!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:48 Jay

9:49

I agree with that. He played it safe there, but no reason not to.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:49

9:50

[Comment From JayJay: ]

lol Charles Barkley said save your money. Howard is the winner.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:50 Jay

9:50

[Comment From JayJay: ]

OK Darrel Dawkins has been on Bourbon Street.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:50 Jay

9:52

Dr. J's opinion is gold, but man he can sure ramble.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:52

9:52

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

OK, Dr.J this is not your thesis.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:52 Ryan

9:53

I think he thinks he's running for president or something.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:53

9:55

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

President of Borelandia

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:55 Ryan

9:55

[Comment From UleeUlee: ]

Dwight!!! NBA.com failing to load for me. Good thing I texted my vote.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:55 Ulee

9:55

Anyone seen this news? -- http://www.nola.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/sports-10/1203213245146510.xml&storylist=sports

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:55

9:56

Potentially good news for New Orleans I'd say, though bad news for Sonics fans

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:56

9:57

The polls are closed -- if Howard doesn't win, I'd think there's something wrong with America.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:57

9:58

Howard wins.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:58

9:58

Justice is served.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:58

9:58

[Comment From JayJay: ]

OK New Orleans, great All-Star weekend so far. Keep it fun and keep it safe!!

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:58 Jay

9:59

Quoted for truth. It's been a great night, with all sorts of super athletes putting on a fantastic show for all of us.

Saturday February 16, 2008 9:59

10:00

[Comment From RyanRyan: ]

Thanks for blogging!

Saturday February 16, 2008 10:00 Ryan

10:01

Sure thing! We'll be back tomorrow night for the All-Star Game, which promises to be a ton of fun as well. These live "chat-blogs" have been fun to do, and the interaction has been sweet. Keep those questions and comments coming tomorrow folks!

Saturday February 16, 2008 10:01

10:04

So in summation, Deron Williams was perfect, Jason Kapono was deadly from 3, and Dwight Howard was Superman. What a fun night!

See you guys tomorrow, and take care until then!

Saturday February 16, 2008 10:04

10:05

This Live Blog has now ended.