Since people seem to like the Studs and Duds, I am deciding to make an All NBA All-Star Weekend Studs and Duds.  I will also give BSchwartz the credit he deserves.  Thanks for the idea!

Studs

Individual Effort: Daniel Gibson of the Rookie-Sophmore Game

Daniel Gibson scored 11 3-Pointers (yes, 11 3-Pointers!) for 33 points in the Rookie-Sophmore Challenge.  This broke a record for that game and fittingly, Gibson was named MVP as the Sophmores prevailed against the Rookies, 136-109 after being trounced by the then sophmores, 155-114, the year before.

Team Effort: Sophmores of the Rookie-Sophmore Game

As I said in the paragraph above, the Sophmores, once again, beat the Rookies in the Rookie-Sophmore Challenge.  Daniel Gibson had everything going for him, while Rudy Gay chipped in 22 points and Jordan Farmar and Brandon Roy scored 17 points apeice, handing the Rookies their 6th straight loss.

Indiviudal Effort: Swin Cash of Shooting Stars

Swin Cash was the only WNBA player to make the half-court shot on her first try, little alone that she was the ONLY one, NBA or WNBA, to make the half-court shot on her first try.  Detroit still finished with the worst time though.

Team Effort: San Antonio of the Shooting Stars

The Spurs won the Shooting Stars against the Chicago Bulls, finishing with 35.8.  More impressive, they did it with two seven-footers on their team in Tim Duncan and David Robinson.  Both of these big-men got the half court shots.  Becky Hammon, I guess, is now labled a better shooter than Robinson after taking the harder spots.

Individual Effort: Jason Kapono of the 3-Point Shootout

Jason Kapono succesfully defended his 3-Point Crown by tying the record of 25 3-Pointers before taking home the trophy.  He was the only returning champion in this year's NBA All-Star Weekend.

Individual Effort: Dwight Howard of the Slam Dunk Contest

When the night was done, Dwight Howard had already threw the basketball into the basket, dressed up in a superman costume, caught a great alley-oop pass, and won the 2008 Slam Dunk Contest.  If you did not watch this contest, at least watch this magnificent dunk.

Individual Effort: Deron Williams of the Skills Competition

Deron Williams was nearly flawless in the final round, going against Hornet's PG Chris Paul, who had home-court advantage.  Williams had a time of 25.5, a new record, and did not mess up on one shot, pass, or even going around the fake defenders.

The Big One: LeBron James of the Eastern All-Stars!

LeBron James scored 23 points as the East won over the West, 134-128.  James was named All-Star Game MVP after the game.  He helped lead the East to their 2nd win in two years.  All hail to King LeBron!!!

Duds

Individual Effort: Kevin Durant of the Rookie-Sophmore Game

The rookie didn't actually play bad, 23 points is never bad, but being the best rookie this season, he was coming into this game as the leader of the team?  Was he a good leader?  No, the Rookies lost their 6th straight game.

Team Effort: Chicago of the Shooting Stars

Team Chicago of the Shooting Stars, lost once again in the Finals.  Last year they were disqualified for Benm Gordon shooting too soon.  This year, they weren't disqualified.  They just did bad in the Finals.

Individual Effort: Rip Hamilton of the 3-Point Shootout

Rip Hamilton scored 17 points in the 3-Point Shootout.  Then it went down to 15.  Then it went down to 13.  Then it went up to 14.  Hamilton lost points because of stepping on the line a "few" times.  To me, it looked like he stepped on the line every time.  (?)

Individual Effort: Gerald Green of the Slam Dunk Contest

Gerald Green of the Minnesota Timberwolves didn't do that bad in the Slam Dunk Contest, he just didn't do as good as t other guy.  The 2007 Champion had one great dunk, and I don't want any of you to miss it.  Click here to watch a video of it on youtube.

Individual Effort: Dwayne Wade of the Skills Competion

Dwayne Wade, the two time Skills Competition Champion, finished dead last in the contest this time, finishing with a time closer to 60 seconds than 50 seconds.  At the end, it looked like he just gave up, he just lobbed a layup in the air.

Team Effort: Western All-Stars

They played good, just not good enough.  Can't find anything to complain about . . .