Yeah, the dunk contest was kind of not awesome. But what was awesome, was James Harden’s attire. He was most certainly swaggin’ Saturday night. I think it’s pretty clear that Harden leads the Thunder in swag, and probably by a large margin. The letterjacket, Harry Caray glasses combo is definitely a look Jimbo Slice is able to pull off. It must be the beard, amirite?
But I love this picture. Everyone is sitting down, watching DeMar DeRozan skywalk. But there is Harden, alone on his feet, mouth agape. Meanwhile, Kevin Durant looks on in earnest and Kevin Garnett appears to be napping on Rajon Rondo’s shoulder. I think this picture really sums up the contest well.
Here's the link for Serge's dunks... he leaps from further back than when Jordan did the free-throw-line-dunk.
(must use Internet Explorer... doesn't seem to work in Firefox)
http://acbtv.acb.com/video/843
Serge should have been in the All Star Dunk Contest... the guy won the ACB dunk contest by throwing down from the free throw line. He basically did the dunk that DeRozan gave up on during the competition.
live All Star game chat here:
Thunder All Star Central game chat
About the amare rumors I saw on the bottom line on espn that all phx wanted was a young player and a 1st rd pick..which I think is do able even for the thunder
When I see Harden .... I always think He is James Worthy
Am I the only one?
@justin
Hickson may be in the game at tip-off, but Varejao plays 30 minutes per night. Sure, it might work out fine with Shaq, Varejao, and Amare taking up all the minutes, but Cleveland also wants Phoenix to buyout Igauskas (likely saving them even more money) so they can resign him. It just seems they are unnecessarily clogging that frontcourt. I almost think they'd be better off if they don't bring Z back (his only attribute is size at this point, which they already have in Shaq and Varejao).
@Sammy
Maggette is a good all-around player, but his skillset doesn't particularly mesh with the Lebron-first game. He's a poor outside shooter, and he won't have the ball in his hands to be driving and drawing fouls like he does now. He'd be a better fit next to a shooter like Kobe than a slasher like Lebron. Unless Cleveland wanted to go small full time (Maggette at the 3, Lebron at the 4), I doubt they are even considering a trade for a wing player.
@Jeff
She lives in Yukon.
@Keith
Huh? Hickson starts for Cleveland, and Illgauskas comes off the bench. So does Varejao. I would guess Amar'e and Shaq would start and Varejao would back up both positions, with some Jawad Williams thrown in..
Hoopsworld's Susan Bible got some interesting quotes from Harden at All-Star. Seems like a good dude. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=15293 Is she local? Because she had a huge story on Durant in the USA Today All-Star section.
Interestingly, gs is trying to entice the cavs to a maggette for ilgauskas swap, which is arguably a better deal.
@justin
Would they really take that contract for a bench player?
Amar'e would take all of Hickson's and most of Illgauskas' minutes. Maybe some of Jawad Williams.
If Cleveland gets Amare, whose spot does he take? Shaq is entrenched, even if less than the best option. Varejao is one of the best defenders on a team that prides itself on defense. Also, doesn't Amare and/or Shaq clog up the paint, the very reason they were looking for a stretch 4 more than a power 4?
I heard they want Dirk to get MVP because of Dallas. I really think MVP will either got to LeBron Melo or KD. Hopeful KD will play good defense and score usually All-Star is all about flashy scoring.
Picture should be fixed. Sorry, I was out of pocket this morning.
Does this mean we could get Amar'e for Etan Thomas, Matt Harpring, and D.J. White? :)
Concerning the Z & Hickson deal for Amare... Who will be the Cav's center after Shaq retires from basketball and take Barkely's job on TNT?
Some talk of the Dallas trade last night. I don't think it appreciably improves them, and may actually give us a leg up next game as they try to fit Butler and Haywood into the lineup.
JD :@crick
I’m praying he gets the MVP. That would be great for this team.
If not, maybe he'll win MEP (Most Excited Player!)
@crick
I'm praying he gets the MVP. That would be great for this team.
Now he just needs to drop 46 pts tonight!
What a great event this has been for Durant. He's like a kid in a giant candy store.
more pics (can't help myself):
Happy Russell
Happy Harden
Love and Westbrook have an understanding
Coach Durant at press conference
Durant surrounded by adoring paparazzi
JD :@crick
Jamie Foxx
haha!
wow, he's sure has aged a lot lately!
More pics of last night:
KG, KD, Harden
Garnett is impressed, James is mildly amused, Kevin sees a birdie
KG, KD, Shaq
Kevin surveys his hero
(where'd Harden go?)
'Close' doesn't mean 'done deal'.
It sounds crazy to me too. But my latest headline for my fantasy player Amare Stoudmire reads:
The Suns are close to sending Stoudemire to Cleveland in exchange for Zydrunas Ilgauskas and J.J. Hickson, ESPN.com reports.
Spin: The Cavs are talking to other teams, but Stoudemire is their first option at this point, and they're prepared to offer him a long-term extension at season's end.
I have a difficult time believing that rumor unless there's more to it, like Phoenix getting out of Jason Richardson's contract.
@Greg
Source?
@crick
Jamie Foxx
THE SUNS ARE SENDING AMARE TO THE CAVS FOR J.J. HICKSON AND BIG Z. IT'S A DONE DEAL.
Harden = best dressed
Found a few more pics of last night:
Love, Kobe, Garnett
Don't know why Kobe is wearing shades inside.
Spike, KG, KD
KD lookin' a little lonely there (or bored)
KG, Harden, Shaq
Who's that shaking hands with Garnett?
crick :
James “Shaft” Harden
He’s one bad muthaf.. (shut yo mouth!)
what's great about the pic (besides the jacket, of course) is the calm, poised demeanor. It's textbook James.
You expect a young guy to be excitable, exuberant, etc. Just unable to hold back all that energy. But Jimmeh is cool, calm, collected.
@morgan
Well yea I figured as much. Luckily, Kevin's got game.
James "Shaft" Harden
He's one bad muthaf.. (shut yo mouth!)
@Morgan
Butler's numbers really haven't been much better than Howard's, so who knows there. Haywood does give them an opportunity to put Dampier, whose contract isn't guaranteed next year, on the trading block.
ESPN mentioned that to get Marion and Butler the minutes they need, the Mavs may have to go small regularly and roll Dirk to the 5. Hollinger's take was that it can be a good trade for Dallas IF they make another before the deadline to address other needs. It really doesn't do anything to get them past the Nuggets or Lakers in the West.
Darn I'll get it fixed shortly.
Looking at Silva's picture, I love that Harden included the Thunder rubber bracelet with the ensemble.
I think KD is working on getting KG for next season. I got 5 on his contract!!!
How much did the washington trade improve the mavericks?
I think he wears contacts but he went with the intellectual look like D'wade. I'M SO PUMP FOR TONIGHT's GAME!
Silva has a good pic of KD and Harden at the dunk-o-rama:
KD and James at the All Star dunk contest
Nestled between KG and his Shaq-ness.
Gotta love Harden's "Cooley High" jacket. What's with the glasses? Does James actually need 'em?
Maybe James was getting up to get him a pretzel of something because that was the worst dunk contest in the history of....well dunk contests
@JD
It was an EA Sports party..EA is not going to sponsor a 2K game at their party.
@Jay
@Cb
He knows. Thanks for the heads up!
no pic
@KT
I was very surprised that they played Live. 2k10 is also the Thunder boys' game of choice.
Nick Collison calls him Jimbo Slice.
Pic is down.