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."
RSS