NBA All-Star Weekend Storylines

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Feb 13, 2009

NBA All-Star Weekend Storylines

Dwight Howard's encore

Can Howard top last year's Superman stylings in the dunk contest? The 6-foot-11 center will defend his title against Nate Robinson, J.R. Smith and rookie Rudy Fernandez.

Shaq, Kobe, Phil together again

With Kobe Bryant voted in as a starter, Shaquille O'Neal selected as a reserve and Phil Jackson earning a chance to coach the Western Conference All-Star team, the three are reunited for the first time since the Lakers lost to the Pistons in the 2004 NBA Finals.

Amare Stoudemire's potential Phoenix farewell

Will the All-Star Game serve as Stoudemire's goodbye to Phoenix fans? The Suns are said to be shopping the 26-year-old forward as they consider a huge shakeup before the Feb. 19 trading deadline. Phoenix's next home game comes two days before the deadline.

Jason Kapono shoots for history

Kapono will attempt to join Larry Bird (1986-88) and Craig Hodges (1990-92) as the only three-time winners of the three-point shootout. Mike Bibby, Daequan Cook, Danny Granger, Rashard Lewis and Roger Mason round out the field.

Entry into an exclusive group?

Bob Pettit, Oscar Robertson and Michael Jordan are the only players to win All-Star Game MVP honors three times (Pettit claimed four). Two-time winners LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal each can join that elite company this year.

H-O-R-S-E debuts

Before All-Star Saturday night tips off, TNT will air a three-player H-O-R-S-E shooting contest on a 45x50 outdoor court. The network can only hope that O.J. Mayo, Joe Johnson and Kevin Durant put on a show to rival those old McDonald's commercials with Michael Jordan and Larry Bird.

Shaq winds down

O'Neal, who has long embraced his role as showman during the NBA's midseason festivities, will be playing in his 12th All-Star Game this year. Will this be his final appearance? Shaq turns 37 in March and has sent mixed signals about his desire to keep playing when his contract expires after next season.