Wall leads East to All-Star dunk

JOHN WALL

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NEW ORLEANS (AP) -- John Wall soared over his mascot, and the East stomped on the West in the slam dunk contest. Wall's sensational slam finished off a clean sweep for the Washington star, Paul George and Terrence Ross in the contest's new battle format, helping the Eastern Conference earn a 2-2 tie against the West on All-Star Saturday night.

Answering Sacramento rookie Ben McLemore's dunk in which he leaped over Shaquille O'Neal seated in a king's throne, Wall took the ball from Wizards mascot G-Man, who held it above his head, then brought it down between his legs and slammed down a reverse dunk.

Judges Dominique Wilkins, Magic Johnson and Julius Erving all gave the victory to Wall in his matchup, after previously picking George over Harrison Barnes, and defending champion Ross over Damian Lillard.

San Antonio's Marco Belinelli won the 3-point contest, and Lillard and Utah rookie Trey Burke won the skills challenge for the West's two victories. Miami's Chris Bosh, Wilkins and WNBA star Swin Cash won the night's first event for the East, the shooting stars.

The league tried to jazz up All-Star Saturday for its return to New Orleans, with a number of tweaks to the format.

The biggest was in the dunk contest, which was broken into two parts. The first was the freestyle portion, where the teams had 90 seconds to execute as many dunks as they could, before the three 1-on-1 matchups in the battle format.

The East had already clinched that part by winning the first two, but Wall made it a resounding shutout.

McLemore came out wearing a king's robe and trailed by O'Neal, who unveiled a "Shaq-Lemore" jersey. He made it over O'Neal's throne on his second attempt, and O'Neal presented him with a crown.

But moments later, Wall was the real king.

"The slam dunk has returned," said Erving, one of the NBA's most famed dunkers.

Before that, the new format was confusing to fans and the West players themselves. The East had it all figured out, winning the first format with a passing and dunking display straight out the Harlem Globetrotters, capped a three-man dunk where Ross threw if off the backboard to Wall, who lobbed it off the overhead shot clock for George to race in and slam it down.
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NBA Players of the Week | Eastern & Western Conference "Jan. 27 - Feb. 2"

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Name: Kyle Lowry                   Team: Toronto                   Position: PG                   Height: 6-0                   Weight: 205                   Age: 27

Name: Goran Dragic Team: Phoenix Position: G Height: 6-3 Weight: 190 Age: 27

NEW YORK -- The Toronto Raptors' Kyle Lowry and the Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic on Monday were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 27, through Sunday, Feb. 2.

In leading the Raptors to a 3-1 week, Lowry ranked fourth in the conference in scoring (25.0 ppg), second in assists (8.0 apg) and ninth in steals (2.3 spg). Lowry topped 30 points points in consecutive games for the first time in his career (Jan. 27-29), including a season-high 33 in a 98-83 win over the Orlando Magic last Wednesday. He made 16 three-point field goals on the week.

Ranking seventh in the conference in scoring (26.8 ppg) and tied for eighth in assists (6.0 apg), Dragic led the Suns to a 4-0 record, with three victories coming on the road. For the week, Dragic had the sixth-highest field goal percentage in the West (.639), including the second-highest percentage from distance (.692). He scored at least 20 points in all four contests, including a game-high 28 points in a 112-94 win at Indiana on Jan. 30, to give Suns season-sweep of the Pacers.

Kyle Lowry, Toronto Raptors

Jan. 27 @ Brooklyn: Collected 31 points, seven assists, and five rebounds in a 104-103 win over the Nets.
Jan. 29 vs. Orlando: Netted a season-high 33 points to go along with 11 assists in a 98-83 victory over the Magic.
Feb. 1 @ Portland: Scored 23 points and added eight assists and two steals in a 106-103 loss against the Trail Blazers.

Goran Dragic, Phoenix Suns

Jan. 29 @ Milwaukee: Scored 30 points and added six assists and four rebounds in a 126-117 win over the Bucks.
Jan. 30 @ Indiana: Recorded 28 points, seven assists, three rebounds and a steal in a 102-94 victory over the Pacers.
Feb. 1 vs. Charlotte: Tallied 25 points, five rebounds and four assists in a 105-95 win over the Bobcats.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Charlotte's Al Jefferson, Houston's Jeremy Lin, Indiana's Roy Hibbert, Golden State's Stephen Curry, Memphis' Zach Randolph, Miami's LeBron James, Minnesota's Kevin Love, Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant and Washington's John Wall.
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NBA All-Star Game 2014 Rosters: Predicting Starting Lineups

                                              Credit: Bleacher Report NBA

2014 All-Star Game: Predicting Starting Lineups

Player (Team)	Votes	Player (Team)	Votes
Eastern Conference Backcourt		Western Conference Backcourt
1. Dwyane Wade (Mia)	929.542	1. Stephen Curry (GS)	1.047.281
2. Kyrie Irving (Cle)	860.221	2. Kobe Bryant (LAL)	988.884
3. Derrick Rose (Chi)	393.129	3. Chris Paul (LAC)	804.309
4. John Wall (Was)	359.546	4. Jeremy Lin (Hou)	628.818
5. Ray Allen (Mia)	250.909	5. James Harden (Hou)	470.381
Eastern Conference Frontcourt		Western Conference Frontcourt
1. LeBron James (Mia)	1.416.419	1. Kevin Durant (OKC)	1.396.294
2. Paul George (Ind)	1.211.318	2. Kevin Love (Min)	688.466
3. Carmelo Anthony (NYK)	935.702	3. Blake Griffin (LAC)	661.246
4. Roy Hibbert (Ind)	524.809	4. Dwight Howard (Hou)	653.318
5. Chris Bosh (Mia)	406.867	5. LaMarcus Aldridge (Por)	609.172

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NBA Players of the Week | Eastern & Western Conference "Jan. 20 -Jan. 26"

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Name: Paul Millsap                   Team: Atlanta                   Position: FC                   Height: 6-8                   Weight: 253                   Age: 29

Name: Kevin Durant Team: Oklahoma City Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 240 Age: 25

NEW YORK -- The Atlanta Hawks' Paul Millsap and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant on Monday were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 20, through Sunday, Jan. 26.

Millsap led the Hawks to a 3-1 week behind averages of 21.3 points (ninth in the conference) on .508 shooting from the field, 7.3 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 2.5 steals (fifth in the conference) and 2.0 blocks (fourth in the conference). Millsap collected five blocks in a road win over the Orlando Magic on Jan. 22, and filled the stat sheet with 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists on Jan. 20, in a win over the Miami Heat.

Durant led Oklahoma City to three wins during a 4-0 week, having missed the 101-83 win over the Celtics on Jan. 24 (shoulder). He averaged a league-leading 38.0 ppg and added 8.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists. Durant collected a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists during a 103-91 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 25.

Paul Millsap, Atlanta Hawks

Jan. 20 vs. Miami: Scored 26 points on 8-of-13 shooting, and added seven rebounds and four assists in a 121-114 win over the Heat.
Jan. 22 @ Orlando: Collected 24 points, six rebounds, five assists, five blocks and three steals in a 112-109 win over the Magic.
Jan. 25 @ Milwaukee: Tallied 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals in a 112-87 win over the Bucks.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jan. 21 vs. Portland: Scored 46 points and added five rebounds and four assists during a 105-97 win over the Trail Blazers.
Jan. 22 @ San Antonio: Tallied 36 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a 111-105 win over the Spurs.
Jan. 25 @ Philadelphia: Notched a triple-double with 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in a 103-91 win over the 76ers.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Brooklyn's Mirza Teletovic, Charlotte's Al Jefferson, Golden State's Stephen Curry, Memphis' Zach Randolph, Miami's Chris Bosh and LeBron James, New Orleans' Anthony Davis, New York's Carmelo Anthony, and Toronto's DeMar DeRozan and Terrence Ross.
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NBA Players of the Week | Eastern & Western Conference "Jan. 13 - Jan. 19"

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Name: Paul George                   Team: Indiana                   Position: GF                   Height: 6-8                   Weight: 220                   Age: 23

Name: Kevin Durant Team: Oklahoma City Position: SF Height: 6-9 Weight: 240 Age: 25

NEW YORK -- The Indiana Pacers' Paul George and the Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 13, through Sunday, Jan. 19.

George helped the Pacers to a 3-0 week, with all three victories coming at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, behind a conference-best 30.7 ppg. George posted two games of 30-plus points as Indiana outscored opponents by an average of 20 ppg. He collected 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field on Jan. 18, during a 106-92 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The Pacers own the league's best record at 32-7 (.821), and sport an NBA-best 21-1 (.955) record at home.

Durant led the Thunder to a 3-1 week, which included wins over Houston Rockets, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. He averaged a league-best 39.3 points, and added 6.5 assists and 4.8 rebounds. He tallied a career-high 54 points on 19-of-28 shooting from the field on Jan. 17, during the Thunder's 127-121 win over the Warriors. Durant, who leads the NBA in scoring at 30.6 ppg, has tallied 30-plus points in seven consecutive contests.

Paul George, Indiana Pacers

Jan. 14 vs. Sacramento: Scored 31 points on 10-of-18 shooting from the field during a 116-92 win over the Kings.
Jan. 16 vs. New York: Collected 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists in a 117-89 win over the Knicks.
Jan. 18 vs. L.A. Clippers: Tallied 36 points on 12-of-17 shooting from the field, including 5-of-6 from distance, and added six rebounds and three steals during a 106-92 win over the Clippers.

Kevin Durant, Oklahoma City Thunder

Jan. 14 @ Memphis: Connected on 15-of-28 field goals en route to 37 points in a 90-87 loss to the Grizzlies.
Jan. 16 @ Houston: Scored 36 points and added seven assists and five rebounds in a 104-92 win over the Rockets.
Jan. 17 vs. Golden State: Tallied a career-high 54 points on 19-of-28 shooting from the field during a 127-121 win over the Warriors.
Jan. 19 vs. Sacramento: Collected 30 points, nine assists, six rebounds and four steals in a 108-93 win over the Kings.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Charlotte's Al Jefferson, Cleveland's Luol Deng, Houston's Terrence Jones, Indiana's Lance Stephenson, Memphis' Mike Conley, Miami's Chris Bosh and LeBron James, Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and Washington's John Wall.

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Comment who is your best 3-Point Shooter In The NBA

Rey "Jesus Shuttlesworth" Allen or Stephen "The Splash" Curry 

Who do you think is better between these two amazing shooters?

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NBA Players of the Week | Eastern & Western Conference "Jan. 6-Jan. 12"

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Name: Carmelo Anthony                   Team: New York                   Position: F                   Height: 6-8                   Weight: 235                   Age: 29

Name: DeMarcus Cousins Team: Sacramento Position: C Height: 6-11 Weight: 270 Age: 23

NEW YORK -- The New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony and the Sacramento Kings' DeMarcus Cousins today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Jan. 6, through Sunday, Jan. 12.

Anthony led the Knicks to a 3-0 week which included wins over the Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat and Philadelphia 76ers. He ranked second in the conference in scoring (27.0 ppg) and steals (2.33 spg) and third in minutes (39.2 mpg). Anthony connected on 12-of-24 field goals en route to 29 points, and added eight rebounds and five assists on Jan. 9, during New York's 102-92 win over Miami.

Cousins helped the Kings to a 3-0 week which included wins over the Portland Trail Blazers, Orlando Magic and Cleveland Cavaliers. He ranked seventh in the conference in scoring (25.0 ppg), second in rebounding (12.7 rpg) and eighth in minutes (37.2 mpg). Cousins posted a point-rebound double-double in all three of the Kings' games, and now has a double-double in 10 consecutive contests.

Carmelo Anthony, New York Knicks

Jan. 7 vs. Detroit: Posted 34 points, four rebounds and four steals in an 89-85 win over the Pistons.
Jan. 9 vs. Miami: Collected 29 points, eight rebounds and five assists during a 102-92 win over the Heat.
Jan. 11 @ Philadelphia: Tallied 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists as the Knicks topped the 76ers 102-92.

DeMarcus Cousins, Sacramento Kings

Jan. 7 vs. Portland: Tallied 35 points and 13 rebounds in a 123-119 win over the Trail Blazers.
Jan. 10 vs. Orlando: Scored 24 points and added 14 rebounds, six assists and three steals in a 103-83 win over the Magic.
Jan. 12 vs. Cleveland: Posted 16 points and 11 rebounds during a 124-80 win over the Cavaliers.

Other nominees for the Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Brooklyn's Joe Johnson, Denver's Ty Lawson, Detroit's Josh Smith, Los Angeles Clippers' Darren Collison and Blake Griffin, Memphis' Mike Conley, Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge and San Antonio's Tim Duncan.
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