EAST 134, WEST 128, at New Orleans Arena
ATTENDANCE: 16,271
MVP: LeBron James
Behind the fourth-quarter scoring of LeBron James and Ray Allen, the East prevented an epic collapse at the 2008 All-Star Game. James flirted with a triple-double, recording 27 points, eight rebounds and nine assists as the East won 134-128. Allen, a reserve, scored 14 of his 28 points in the fourth quarter as the West outscored the East 35-28. The All-Star Game MVP, which was voted on by fans, was the second of James’ career.
Four notable players made their All-Star debuts as reserves on the West team: Brandon Roy, Chris Paul, Carlos Boozer and David West. Allen Iverson, now a member of the Nuggets, was on the West team for the first time in his career. He started the game and finished with seven points, six assists and four steals.
Hometown hero Paul didn’t disappoint the local fans, finishing with 16 points, 14 assists and four steals. Kobe Bryant was a starter for the West, but he played only 3 minutes in the game due to a lingering injury in his pinky finger.
At All-Star Weekend, Dwight Howard performed one of the most iconic slams in the event’s history. Howard, while wearing a Superman cape, took off from the free-throw line and threw the ball in the rim, earning him the Slam Dunk title. At the 3-Point Shootout, Jason Kapono retained his title — but did so as a member of the Raptors and not the Heat. Jazz guard Deron Williams picked up the Skills Challenge championship and at the Rookie Challenge, MVP Daniel Gibson poured in 33 points in the Sophomore’s 136-109 win.
All-Star Game rosters
Eastern Conference
Jason Kidd (New Jersey Nets)
Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat)
Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic)
Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors)
LeBron James (Cleveland Cavaliers)
Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks)
Richard Hamilton (Detroit Pistons)
Chauncey Billups (Detroit Pistons)
Antawn Jamison (Washington Wizards)
Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics)
Ray Allen (Boston Celtics) **
Rasheed Wallace (Detroit Pistons) **
Kevin Garnett (Boston Celtics) *
Caron Butler (Washington Wizards) *
Coach: Doc Rivers (Boston Celtics)
Western Conference
Allen Iverson (Denver Nuggets)
Kobe Bryant (Los Angeles Lakers)
Yao Ming (Houston Rockets)
Tim Duncan (San Antonio Spurs)
Carmelo Anthony (Denver Nuggets)
Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas Mavericks)
Carlos Boozer (Utah Jazz)
Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets)
David West (New Orleans Hornets)
Brandon Roy (Portland Trail Blazers)
Steve Nash (Phoenix Suns)
Amar’e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns)
Coach: Byron Scott (New Orleans Hornets)
All-Star Weekend Wrap
NBA Slam Dunk Contest winner: Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
NBA 3-Point Shootout winner: Jason Kapono, Toronto Raptors
NBA Skills Challenge: Deron Williams, Utah Jazz
Rookie Challenge result: Sophomores 136, Rookies 109
Rookie Challenge MVP: Daniel Gibson, Cleveland Cavaliers (33 points, 11-for-20 3-pt FG)
NOTE: * = missed game due to injury; ** = injury replacement
