My All Time Favorite All Star Moments.

Around Mid February every year  something really beautiful occurs. Its a time of year where people from all over come together to celebrate love. No not their love for one another (although that happens too, Happy Valentine's Day) but the love for the game of basketball. For over 20 years I have spent the upcoming weekend glued to the TV for the entire weekend. I LOVE NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND. Even when they removed the dunk contest (worst idea ever!!!), I remained loyal to the weekend festivities. Unlike many who continue to find flaws with the format, I embrace. Not everything can remain the way it was in 1991, although I wouldn't upset if they brought back the Old Timers game.

I decided to get this All Star Weekend started with a nod to my favorite moments. I would've filled this list with a combination of moments from LeBron James and Michael Jordan, but I decided not to let my mega fandom interrupt my objective. Hope you enjoy it and enjoy the weekend ahead. Oh and if you didn't do your due diligence by appeasing that significant other, prior to the weekends events; SHAME ON YOU!!!

                    *******BONUS NON GAME OR COMPETITION MOMENT********

In 1996 the NBA revealed its then top 50 players of all time. This to me is one of the most important moments in sports history. It's the only time that Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlin, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, Oscar Robertson, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Isaiah Thomas and countless others were all in the same place at the same time. It put in perspective that while we as fans constantly rank our favorite players against one another, there is room at the top for all of them.


10. 1991 SLAM DUNK CONTEST: My first great memory of watching any portion of NBA All Star weekend came in 1991. That was the year Dee Brown won the slam dunk contest while wearing Reebok Pumps. Like ever other kid watching that year, I knew that I needed a pair so that I could fly through the air with my arm over my eyes. I wanted a slick hightop fade and cheering section that included Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkins and a young Will Smith.




9. 1994 SLAM DUNK CONTEST: While the year before introduced pop culture to Harold "Baby Jordan" Miner, I was more enamored with Isaiah Rider. Rider pulled off a dunk so cool and innovative that no before him could claim to have pulled it off. The East Bay Funk Dunk.

8. 1992 NBA ALL STAR GAME: This was an iconic game, with iconic stars. Jordan, Thomas, Bird, Worthy, Robinson, Olajuwon, Drexler. All of those stars were huge, but none were bigger than Magic Johnson in that moment, nor that year. This was months after informing the world he had contracted HIV and would have to retire immediately. Magic was so nice that even the assumed death sentence couldn't keep him from capturing All Star MVP honors, while leading the west to a massive blowout 153-113.





7. 2004 ROOKIE/SOPHOMORE GAME: This was the first time LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh were all on the same team (Precursor to the Redeem Team). The game also featured Yao Ming, Amar'e Stoudemire and Manu Ginobili. This was about as entertaining a game as the All Star Game that year. LeBron dazzled with an off the glass alley-oop to himself past Yao Ming, then as he trotted back up the court he through up the ROC! Classic.

6. 2003 NBA ALL STAR GAME: Michael Jordan had long been considered the greatest player of all time. It was only fitting that he be allowed to go out on top, the way a king should; or so he thought. While Jordan was able to force OT with his ICONIC fadeaway jumper over Shawn Marion in the clutch, it was Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant that had the last laugh. It was an outstanding goodbye to the All Star of All Stars.






5. 2002/2003/2004 SLAM DUNK CONTEST: In 2002 Jason Richardson took home the Dunk Contest crown. He brought back the memory of Dominique, while using a new school flare. In 2003 he left little doubt that he was the reigning king. Its not often people can say they have done something that has never been seen before, but Richardson was able to do just that. His off the bounce between the legs jackknife was insane. In 2004 he was robbed after completing an off the glass between the legs dunk, but he left us all with new bar for the dunk contest. A bar that has not been reached since.

4. 2001 NBA ALL STAR GAME: This game had the makings of a blowout. It was a game that seemed to get out of hand rather quickly. A game that seemed like it was in the bag with 9 minutes left became really interesting, really fast. Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury (from that mythical class of 1996) spearheaded a massive comeback to win by 1. Iverson scored 15 points in the final 9 minutes of the game, while Marbury hit 2 big 3 pointers to put the game away. Classic comeback, in classic fashion.





3. 2006 NBA ALL STAR GAME: By 2006 LeBron James had cemented himself as one of the top 5 players in the NBA. The All Star game appeared to be the perfect stage for a young man of his many talents. Talents that he did not mind displaying, while leading his East team to a victory. James finished with 29 points becoming the youngest All Star MVP ever.




2. 2000 SLAM DUNK CONTEST: It had been 2 years since the last dunk contest and the league was desperate for redemption in the post lockout era. Lucky for them an infusion of talent had just invaded the league led by Vince Carter. Carter was joined by his teammate/cousin the slender Tracy McGrady and Steve Francis. They put on a show that at the time could only be rivaled by the days of Jordan for Wilkins. This still stands as one of the top moments in NBA history.

1.1998 NBA ALL STAR GAME: To me in my life time this is the best All Star game. This game featured several future and current hall of famers including a young Kobe Bryant and rookie Tim Duncan. It was held in the basketball Mecca, Madison Square Garden. The game featured Shaq, Gary Payton, Reggic Miller, Grant Hill, Shawn Kemp, Penny Hardaway, Tim Hardaway, David Robinson, Jason Kidd, Kevin Garnett, Karl Malone and of course Michael Jordan. Jordan dropped his jersey number in points (23) and captured MVP honors.

The Draft Fanatic.

Mock Draft 2.0

It has been a very interesting last few months of college basketball, but it's helped to paint a great picture of the potential NBA draft landscape. Several of the potential top picks have performed at a high level and remained pretty consistent through out the first half of the season. Usually at this point in the season we can weed out the hype over the golden guarantee. The other good thing about being this far in to the year is having a pretty good idea of what NBA teams will go on to become lottery teams. The season is far from over and some of the teams can still make a push for the playoffs, but the picture is much easier to predict based off of what has happened thus far. I will attempt to paint a picture of what could happen based off of need, want and the performances of the top players in the nation.

Keep in mind, many of the players on this list would have to declare for the NBA draft because they have several years eligibility remaining. This list assumes that they will all declare and go on to become lottery picks. Also this list will reflect teams in the NBA, not just as they currently stand but with the trades that they have made so some teams (Knicks, Pistons) have made deals that may place them outside of the lottery if they fall within a certain range.

MOCK DRAFT 2.O

1. Milwaukee Bucks: Andrew Wiggins, 15.6 ppg/6.0 rebounds: I believe the Bucks came in to the season believing they may be able to compete, but things have not turned out the way they wanted. Wiggins has had a really good freshman year at Kansas. He hasn't always lived up to the tremendous hype he came in with, but he delivers when necessary. Wiggins along with Giannis (The Greek Freak) Antetokounmpo would form a Durant/Westbrook style duo within the next few years, hearkening to the days of Glen Robinson and Ray Allen.

2. Orlando Magic: Marcus Smart, 17 ppg/4 assists/5.7 rebounds: A year ago had Smart declared he was  number 1 on the Magic's wish list. Their second choice Victor Oladipo is a rookie of the year candidate and has worked out just fine. A young back court with Smart/Oladipo would be devastating on the defensive end and a nightmare for the opposition in the open court. Smart is strong, smart and makes great decisions.




3. Philadelphia 76ers: Julius Randle, 16 ppg/9.9 rebounds: Randle has had a superb year. When he gets going he can be a hand full. He has proven quite capable of able to operate out of the both the pick and roll as well as in an isolation set. Teamed with both Michael Carter-Williams and Nerlens Noel, the 76ers would have an excellent foundation for the future.








4. Sacramento Kings: Joel Embiid, 11 ppg/7.6 rebounds/2.6 blks: Embiid is far from a lock to leave school because of developmental concerns, but if he does and he falls to four the Kings will snatch him up. He has the potential to be a Hall of Famer and would be perfect next to Cousins as the defensive cornerstone. I almost went with a point guard here, but the Kings love Isaiah Thomas and he has the respect of the team. If Gay re-signs that eliminates the need for a SF, so Embiid is the logical choice.

5. Boston Celtics: Jabari Parker, 18.8 ppg/8 rebounds: The Celtics need a franchise player that will replace the void left by Paul Pierce. Parker has that Carmelo Anthony ability to get buckets in bunches. He can rebound, defend and has a great natural feel for the game. Its no secret that Danny Ainge loves the kid and that he would fit well in any environment.






6. Los Angeles Lakers: Dante Exum, 18 ppg at FIBA U-19: The hyper athletic Australian wing declared for the NBA draft and now has the world focused on him. Exum has elite athleticism, the ability to play the PG/SG positions and All Star potential. He hired Rob Pelinka, who also represents Kobe Bryant and has hinted that he wouldn't mind learning from the future Hall of Famer. The Lakers may even try to move up to secure this, he may have the most upside of any player in the draft.



7. Cleveland Cavaliers: Gary Harris, 18.8 ppg/4.5 rebounds: Harris has maintained his high value through his sophomore season. He has managed to remain healthy and lead a veteran Michigan State team to a great season. The Cavaliers on the other hand are in trouble. They have already fired their GM and several players are available via trade including former top pick Dion Waiters. Harris doesn't have an ego, is very coachable and would fit well alongside All Star Kyrie Irving.




8. Utah Jazz: Nik Stauskas, 18.5 ppg/3 assists/ 3 rebounds: The Jazz have played much better during the last two months since lottery pick Trey Burke made his debut. The Jazz may lose starting small forward Gordon Hayward during the off season, so drafting a player with a similar game for cheap is a good idea. It's a really good idea considering that same player is someone Burke has established chemistry with during college. Stauskas can both create and shoot the ball with great range.





9. Denver Nuggets (From Knicks): Zach LaVine, 12 ppg: LaVine would fit in well up there in the high altitude run and gun environment. He oozes potential and can play both guard spots. He is also a human highlight reel waiting to happen.





10. Charlotte Bobcats (From Pistons): Rodney Hood, 17.4 ppg/4.6 rebounds: The Bobcats (Hornets) may move this pick before the trade deadline, but if they manage to keep this pick and the Pistons finish  don't reclaim the pick (Top 8 protected) they need a guard. Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson shoulder almost all the scoring burden, Rodney Hood would ease that burden. The silky smooth wing can put up points and doesn't need a system to accomplish that. He would play well hovering around the wing while Jefferson dominates the post and Walker creates opportunities.


11. Philadelphia 76ers (From Bobcats) Doug McDermott, 24 ppg/7 rebounds: Mr. McDermott is the likely player of the year. He has been on a tear and continues to put up big time numbers for his mid major school. McDermott would add maturity and poise to a young team.



12. Orlando Magic (From Nuggets): Noah Vonleh, 12 ppg/9.6 rebounds: Vonleh has had a solid season and would add some quality depth to a good young team. He has a great shooting touch and is a quality rebounder. Some scouts think he has more upside than Julius Randle, if so this would be a steal.




13. Minnesota Timberwolves: Aaron Gordon, 12.3 PPG/7.8 rebounds: Gordon has top 5 potential and in a real world scenario depending on the team may not even make it this far. He has Blake Griffin 2.0 ability, but he has also hinted that he may not leave early. Gordon would be perfect in the event Kevin Love decides to depart in 2015.


14. Dallas Mavericks: Dario Saric, 15.5 ppg/8.4 rebounds: The Mavericks planned to draft Saric last season before he withdrew his name. Saric can play four positions and would be a great apprentice to Dirk Nowitzki. Saric has been a star in Europe for a few years now, so the transition to the NBA wouldn't be quite as difficult for his as it usually is for the young college players.



The Draft Fanatic.