Feb 26, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; A general view of the All-Star game logo at the 2012 NBA All-Star Game at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

Wow. To be quite honest, I haven’t watched an All-Star weekend in ages. It was exciting when I was younger. The lights, the crowds, the players. But as I got older, it also became clear that players were there to have a good time and not win. Put on a show, but having the defense let you put on a show. I tuned out. For some weekend, I decided to check it out. And I am happy that I did not miss it. One thing about All-Star games is that it should be all about the stars of the games. But as the stars get older and the stars decide they are not healthy enough to play or participate, the players that end up going are young and no one really knows who they are.

This was the case in the slam dunk contest. I only knew Derrick Williams because I saw him tear it up at Arizona during last year’s March Madness. I was concerned about his weight and how it would hinder him in the NBA, but it seems he has slimmed down from the fat and gained some muscle. And suffice to say, his dunks were pretty good. As for the other three contestants, I have not heard of their names until Saturday night. Houston Rockets’ Chase Budinger, the only white guy participating in the contest, started the competition off with a bang. After coaxing P.Diddy, Diddy mentioned that his favorite movie was “White Guys Can’t Jump”, Chase effectively put that to bed. Forget about the perfect pass and perfect timing from Diddy, Chase jumped over the dude and slammed in a very nice dunk. He even did a blindfold dunk and that was pretty as well.

February 25, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Paul George of the Indiana Pacers competes a dunk in total darkness at the 2012 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

I especially liked, Indiana Pacers’ Paul George’s dunk. They turned off all the lights and he donned a Tron like theme jersey with the lane lit up to throw in a dunk.

Feb 25, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Jeremy Evans of the Utah Jazz executes a two ball dunk over teammate Gordon Hayward in the 2012 NBA All-Star Slam Dunk Contest at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

But the night belonged to Utah’s Jeremy Evans. With a camera attached to his headband, he threw the first dunk down with ease. In another attempt, he donned a Karl Malone jersey and jumped over comedian, Kevin Hart, who was dressed as the mailman and threw down two points. And in his third attempt, he had a teammate throw up two balls for him to jam home two balls. It was very worthy trophy but I did like Chase’s attempts a bit better (especially after a very easy first dunk even if there is a camera attached to your headband) and maybe cause I really wanted the white guy “who can’t jump” win.

This year, in an effort to draw more fans and participation, the winner was chosen from fan’s texts. After the first round of dunks, fans were able to text in who they wanted to win.

Feb 25, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves celebrates as holds the trophy after winning the 2012 NBA All-Star Three Point Contest at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

In the three point contest, Minnesota Timberwolves’ Kevin Love beat out Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant to take home the title. After a grueling round, both Love and Durant were tied with 16 points. It only meant that the contest would go into overtime. Love went first and again matched his previous score of 17. Durant was unable to connect for three straight in the last rack to send the shooting contest into another overtime, ended the night with 14 points.

In the skills contest, San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker had the fastest time with 29.2 seconds in the first round. In the final round, his 32 seconds was fast enough to beat out the Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo and the New Jersey Net’s Deron Williams.

February 25, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs dribbles during the 2012 NBA All-Star Skills Challenge at the Amway Center. Parker won the challenge. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

In the team shooting contest, it seems that “Linning” has carried over as Team New York, beat Team Orlando, Team Atlanta and Team Texas. Team New York included former Knick star, Allen Houston, current Knick player, Landry Fields and WNBA New York Liberty’s Cappie Pondextor. Team New York shot the course in  37.3 seconds while Team Texas shot in 41.7 seconds.

Feb 25, 2012; Orlando, FL, USA; Allan Houston (20), Cappie Pondexter (center) and Landry Fields (2) of team New York celebrate with trophy after winning the 2012 NBA All-Star Shooting Stars competition at the Amway Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-US PRESSWIRE

And in the Rising Star Challenge, Team Chuck defeated Team Shaq 146-133 and it seemed like Shaq held a grudge against Chuck when they both sat for the Dunk Contest. Cleveland Cavaliers Kyle Irving of Team Chuck got the MVP of the game with 34 points, 9 assists and two steals.

February 24, 2012; Orlando FL, USA; Team Chuck guard Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers (2) is named MVP of the BBVA rising stars challenge at the Amway Center in Orlando. Team Chuck defeated Team Shaq 146-133. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-US PRESSWIRE

No Warriors participated in the festivities over the weekend (Stephen Curry was out nursing his leg) but it was a good weekend to rest and get healthy for the game packed second half. Warriors return to action on Tuesday against Indiana.

Ellis led the Warriors with 26 points and six rebounds. Dorell Wright had one of his better games and finished night with 23 points and seven boards. David Lee had a relatively quiet night with 22 points and four rebounds. From the bench, a scoring punch came from Nate Robinson who finished with a stat worthy night of 14 points, five assists, three steals and two boards.

The Warriors came out blazing in the first quarter as they finished 39-22. But even with a huge scoring differential in the first quarter, the Warriors got outworked in the paint as they were outscored 56-32. But they overcame the advantage for the Suns by hitting over 40% of their threes and shooting over 80% on free throws.

It was also good that the Warriors grinded out a win.

“I feel like we executed on both sides of the basketball when it matters most,” Warriors coach Mark Jackson said. “If I had to design a win, I would have designed it this way. It was much better for our future to grind out a win.”

All this without Stephen Curry, who left the game with a strained right tendon in his foot. Now how does it feel to see Jeremy Lin blow it up in NYC, when the Warriors had this guy for at least another year and then be a restricted free agent?!?!?!

Feb. 22, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis (8) shoots against the Phoenix Suns during the second half at the US Airways Center. The Warriors defeated the Suns 106-104. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE.