Golden State Warriors guard Jason Richardson earned another NBA All-Star award by successfully defending his Slam Dunk title with a rim-rattling, between the legs throw-down on Saturday.
Richardson's gravity-defying dunk brought the near-sellout crowd at Philips Arena to its feet and a standing ovation from Michael Jordan, the NBA's only other back-to-back two-time Slam Duck winner, who was one of judges.
"It's getting hard to create dunks because so many guys have so many different dunks," said Richardson, who recorded perfect marks in three of his four efforts. "[With] the last dunk I tried to take what J.R. Rider started and threw it in reverse.
"It's an honor to be the only other player to win it back-to-back.
"To be in that category with a man who has done so much for this league and probably the best player that's ever played the game ... it's an honor.
"To have him up there as one of the judges is a dream come true."
Richardson dominated round one with two perfect dunks to move into a final round showdown with the Seattle Supersonics' Desmond Mason.
Rookie Challenge
Richardson's performance capped off a productive All-Star weekend for the 22-year-old, who earlier in the day scored a game high 31-points leading the NBA sophomores to a 132-112 victory over the rookies in the All-Star weekend rookie challenge.
"To come out two years in a row and have a good All-Star weekend, it's amazing," said Richardson, who was also named MVP of last years Rookie Challenge. "I just go out there and try to have fun."
Shooting title
Sacramento Kings forward Peja Stojakovic underlined his credentials as the NBA's best three-point man successfully defending his All-Star shootout title with an overtime win against Memphis Grizzlies' Wesley Person.
In the final round both Stojakovic and Person, who leads the NBA in three-point shooting, both scored 20 eliminating Brent Barry, who was trying to become the first player to win both the Slam Dunk Contest and Shootout events.
But it was the sharp shooting Yugoslav who held the hot-hand in overtime scoring 22 while Person could do no better than 16.
Stojakovic's score was the fourth highest ever in the event and just three shy of Craig Hodges' 1986 record.
Skills Challenge
Earlier, New Jersey Nets Jason Kidd beat the Seattle Supersonics' Gary Payton to win the NBA's first All-Stars skill challenge.
A new event added to the All-Star Saturday program this year, the skills challenge took the players through an obstacle course that including dribbling around pylons, completing a chest pass through a hoop, hitting a three-pointer and finishing with a lay-up.
"I think the NBA is doing the right thing showing there's more than scoring or dunking," said Kidd. "You have the top point guards in the league competing in this and I think you might have bragging rights until you do it again.
"It was fun I hope the league continues to push it forward."
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Taiwan yesterday survived Bosnia and Herzegovina to win their Davis Cup World Group I tie at the Taipei Tennis Center. The tight series started on Saturday with world No. 123 Jason Tseng losing 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 to Mirza Basic in the opening singles matchup. However, teammate Tony Wu kept the tie even, dominating world No. 86 Damir Dzumhur 6-2, 6-1. Yesterday, 24-year-old Ray Ho and partner 25-year-old Hsu Yu-hsiou kept up the momentum, making short work of Basic and Nerman Fatic, winning 6-3, 6-4. Tseng then suffered another defeat, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 to Dzumhur in a brutal match that lasted more than two