NBA All-Star Friday

We'll pick this one up during the rookie challenge.Here are the rosters for both teams

Rookies-Coached by Kurt Rambis
Assistant Coach-Dwyane Wade

Michael Beasley(Heat)*
Rudy Fernandez(Blazers)*
Marc Gasol(Grizzlies)*
Eric Gordon(Clippers)*
Brook Lopez(Nets)
O.J. Mayo(Grizzlies)
Greg Oden(Blazers)-Not playing due to injury
Derrick Rose(Bulls)*
Russell Westbrook(Thunder)

Sophomores-Coached by John Kuester

Assistant Coach-Dwight Howard

Aaron Brooks(Rockets)
Wilson Chandler(Knicks)
Kevin Durant(Thunder)*
Jeff Green(Thunder)*
Al Horford(Hawks)*
Luis Scola(Rockets)
Al Thornton(Clippers)*
Rodney Stuckey(Pistons)*
Thaddeus Young(76ers)




I've gotta mention that none of these guys look amused at all to be taking part in tonight's festivities.

D Wade is wearing the most ridiculous get up ever.He's rocking the bowtie and square framed glasses.

Has anyone else seen this new Gatorade commercial that has KG in it?It's a parody of a Monty Python skit,also featuring the Jabawakis...however you spell it.Pretty funny stuff though,even though i have a strong feeling of hate towards the Celtics stemming from the Finals last year.

The TNT squad just isn't the same without Sir Charles. I'm glad to hear he's coming back from his errrr "leave of absence" due to Bj-Gate next week.

Apparently Kenny Smith thinks Derrick Rose is a shooting guard,interesting?Someone needs to do their homework before leaving the hotel room.Maybe he's been hitting a bit of the sauce tonight.

First Quarter

Al Horford starts off the scoring with a sloppy layup,followed by a 3 point answer by Eric Gordon

Stuckey on the Alley oop!4-3 sophs

Eric Gordon has 5 already,could we see 40?6-5 sophs

The Sophomores haven't missed a shot yet,granted it's only 5 shots and its now 11-5

I'm surprised there haven't been any dunks so far,and just as I say that K Durant throws one down at the 16:26 mark. 13-7 sophs

Marc Gasol just missed a free throw very,very badly.Fundamentals kids.13-11 sophs after Rudy Fernandez hits a 3.A missed shot and a Beasley layup means we're suddenly tied up.

Rookies take the lead on another 3 by Eric Gordon.The man clearly isn't playing around,he's got 8.

Rudy with another bucket and the Sophs take a timeout at 14:21 in the first half with the Rookies leading 19-14.Eric Gordon has a quick 10.The Clippers could really use some more of his firepower this year...

O.J. Mayo comes into the game out of the time out for the rookies,with Marc Gasol taking a seat.

Brook Lopez with the Jam!21-16 Rookies

Kevin Durant seems to have forgotten this game is for fun,and following a posterization of Brook Lopez he takes a seat.

Brook Lopez says no to Luis Scola's dunk attempt,23-19 Sophs with 12:48 remaining.

I'm still utterly shocked that I haven't seen anything to make me jump.

Michael Beasley is going back to the 90's with one purple shoe and one orange shoe.He's wearing the Adidas TS.

Michael Beasley with a dunk,28-22 Rookies 11:00 left in the half.

Dwight Howard sees something wrong and calls a time out.Time for a pep talk Dwight!Get some Highlights out of these guys!

Apparently both of these teams have agreed to play the swiss cheese defense,followed by a hung over offense.

After another bucket by B.Lopez it's 31-24 Rookies.I know this one is way too soon to call,but we could be seeing history folks!!

Wilson Chandler gets his first point...yes singular,followed by another K.Durant bucket and its 31-27 with 9:50 left in the first.

Is it just me or does Durant look like he could fall out of his shorts if he isnt careful?

I will take this time to point out that Marc Gasol's beard is much nicer looking than his brother Pau's.

Still waiting for Derrick Rose to do something out there,he looks uncomfortable.Of course,he just made a layup.Foot=in mouth.

O.J. misses a pretty layup and its 38-29 Rookies with 7:53 remaining.

OH! Al Thornton strikes with a double pump two handed dunk on Brook Lopez.

Kenny Smith reminisces about playing in the rookie game during his day with two left shoes.Really,who forgets their shoes?

Aaron Brooks nails a 3 and its 41-35 Rookies still on top.

Mayo gets ripped by Luis Scola who passes to Al Thornton who promtly throws an alley oop to Jeff Green who obliges with a two hand slam.

Rudy Fernandez with a bucket and its 48-41 Rookies with 5:00 remaining

Thaddeus Young and Rodney Stuckey come back in the game and the Sophs have made a little run,48-45 Rookies with 3:45.

Whoever was in charge of making these jersey's needs to consider a new career...

Jeff Green on another dunk, the boys from the Thunder have taken it upon themselves to represent.52-47 Rookies.

O.J. makes it raaaaain from 3!55-47

Russel Westbrook gets a steal,takes off and passes to M Beasley for a layup and the Rookies open up a 10 point lead.

Durant yet again,I need to see the box score.He's got 16 but more importantly Eric Gordon is still watching the game from the bench.So much for 50.

Al Thornton with a rainbow J from 15 and it's 59-53 Rookies with 24 seconds remaining and Rudy Fernandez at the line.

Jeff Green banks a 3 at the buzzer after an Al Horford dunk and all of the sudden its a 3 point game.

Michael Beasley,Rudy Fernandez and Eric Gordon all have hit the double digits for the Rookies with Kevin Durant and Al Thornton leading the Sophomores with 16 points and 10 points,respectively.

It's pretty clear to this point that defence has been put on the back burner as usual,but that's all part of the fun right?Corbin Bleu(who?) is providing the halftime entertainment and it reminds me of a scary Disney dream I once had.This is not acceptable.....ok seriously,make it stop?One of his backup dancers is having a personal fight with her mom jorts...her belly wants to explode out of them.Apparently no one bothered to mention that the performers may want to learn more than one dance move,which is a herky jerk kick followed my a hair whip and a smile.Thankfully,after 5 minutes of torture,I have seen the end of Mr. Bleu.Who are they going to pull out next year,New Kids On The Block?Excuse me while I Vomit.

C Webb is in the house!!The TNT set this year is really interesting, it's suspended above the ground.C Webb wastes no time poking fun at Steve,I mean...Dwayne Wade and his outfit.They're weighing in on the trade that happened today,and I've got to say that both teams really benefited here.Haslem gets to move back to PF and Jermaine is allowed to run the pick and roll with Wade,while also moving back to a slower paced offense that will allow him to not put as many miles on those knees of his.On the other side you've got Marion,and I can't see him staying in the T. for any longer than he has to. Big changes are in store up north.


Coming out of half time the game gets tied up on a play I didn't get to see because the camera is trained on the announcers.

Marc Gasol gives his team the lead again and he's got 10 and 5.

Eric Gordon for 3,5 point game with 18:25 left in the game

Marc Gasol!!He just pulled the Black Tornado out of Shaq's bag of tricks and throws it down with two hands.And 1.70-61 Rookies

Kevin Durant,another dunk.And 1. Four point game,17 minutes and change

Kevin Durant,another dunk.Four point game yet again,72-68 until Rudy Fernandez hits another 3 to put the Rookies back up by 7.

Aaron Brooks takes it strong to the lane and I didn't notice how fast he is until now...the Lakers could use a fast young point guard...Mitch K,get on it!

Russell Westbrook flies in for the putback layup,this game is getting good.Beasley gets away with a little travel,but gets the bucket and the foul.7 point game,Rookies still on top.

This game is turning into the Michael Beasley vs. Kevin Durant show.Dwight Howard takes an opportunity to yell at the refs for mis-treating his players.T him up!

If you're wondering why I haven't mentioned Rodney Stuckey or Thaddeus Young,well that's because they aren't doing anything worth mentioning.

Craig Sager must feel better now that someone has beat him out for worst suit ever.

Out of a timeout Kevin Durant gets to the line and sinks the free throws.That's 26 points on 11-14 shooting folks.8 point game with 14:45 left,Rookies on top

TNT is really pushing this show Leverage on us,making mash-up commercials riddled with NBA highlights.Still not going to watch.

Brook Lopez just crossed someone up and he looks like a man posessed right now.

Thaddeus Young scores!!Michael Beasley has 20 now following a dunk and then Kevin Durant wastes no time getting number 27,28 and 29 to bring the sophs within 10.

Dial him up for another 3.89-82 Rookies.

Kevin Durant with the assist,then the steal,then another 3...Ladies and Gents thats 35.2 point game.Timeout Rookies it's 89-87.

With 12 minutes left,Kevin Durant needs one more bucket to have the Rookie Challenge scoring record.See,I told you we could witness history.

Al Horford's free throws tie the game up until Russell Westbrook draws a foul on Kevin Durant and puts the rookies back up by a deuce.11:06 remaining,91-89

Al Horford has come alive,he ties the game back up with another dunk.

Jeff Green gives the Sophomores their first lead in a long long time,94-91 Sophs on top.

Thaddeus Young gets a bucket and all of the sudden the Sophs have opened up a 5 point lead,capping off a 17-4 run.

Kevin Durant gets back on the floor with 9 minutes left and Rodney Stuckey at the line.Get.him.the.ball.

Derrick Rose needs to shave that nasty thing he calls a stache.

Eric Gordon for 2 ,followed by a Rodney Stuckey layup.100-95 Sophomores and after a turnover their coach Dwight Howard has had enough.Time Out 100-97,7 minutes and change remaining.

I officially have a new favorite commercial.Jim Beam,you have good taste in women my friend.

McDonalds is really pushing the 1/4 pounder with cheese,this has to be the 10th commercial I've seen for it tonight.What,is the Big mac not "chic" anymore?

Marv Albert gives me the stat I've been waiting for.16 dunks.If I recall correctly,that's about 1/3rd as much as a normal game like this.

Rodney Stuckey extends the Sophomore lead to five with 7:20 left.

Thaddeus Young on garbage duty,7 point lead.

Kevin Durant,the record is yours my friend.his bucket puts the Sophs back up by 7 after a Brook Lopez layup briefly made it a 5 point game.

Brook Lopez tries tapping the ball off Luis Scola and out of bounds but the refs will have none of his trickery.

WILSON!Chandler with a thunderous dunk,10 point lead for the Sophs with 5 minutes left and Dwight Howard is laughing at D-Wade.

Durant has a chance for 40.He's at the line for two with 37 already and he sinks them both.15-21 from the field with 6 rebounds.Are you not entertained??

Beasley brings the Rookies back within 6,nailing the 3.112-106 Sophomores on top,3:00 left

Beasley again and he has 27,4 point game.

Jeff Green may have just gotten his armpit to the rim.6 point game.1:30 left.

Rudy Fernandez brings it back within 4.114-110,but Kevin Durant gets an and 1 to give him 42 and a 7 point lead.

Marc Gasol now has 15 and 7 but i fear it is all in vain.

Kevin Durant with a reverse dunk gives him 44,7 point lead with 25 seconds and this one is all sewn up folks.

Just as I say that O.J. Mayo hits a long jumper off of a Marc Gasol offensive rebound following a missed free throw by Beasley and all of the sudden its a 3 point game with 11 seconds left.

Kevin Durant back at the line.going for 46,cash money folks.No MVP voting will be neccessary for this one.

Wilson Chandler hits a meaningless free throw with 4 seconds left,Beasley sticks a 3 that doesn't count at the buzzer and that's the ball game.122-116 Sophs,let's hug it out.




In closing I'd like to say that this game was much more competitive than years past. The Rookies lost the lead but they instilled hope in then next group of youngsters tha wishes to dethrone the Sophomores,whoever that may be.My coverage will continue tomorrow starting with the dunk contest more than likely,I'll have to look at the schedule.Until then,I bid thee goodnight fellow hoopheads.