NBA All-Star Game Live Blog
WashingtonWizards.com editor Andrew Rosen will be blogging tonight’s NBA All-Star Game live from New Orleans at 8:00 p.m. ET. Andrew will be able to answer all your questions about the weekend as well as give you his thoughts on tonight’s game.
7:54 EST
Hey everyone, Andrew Rosen here at NEW ORLEANS ARENA! I will do my best to live up to the blogging that Dave and Glen give you on a nightly basis. I hope you have all been enjoying the blog and all the All-Star coverage on washingtonwizards.com. We are about 25 minutes away from the start of the All-Star game. Hopefully the game can live up to what we got last night. Anyway, please join me in the blog and I would love to hear your thoughts on last night and answer any questions you might have, whether it’s Wizards, All-Star or even New Orleans related.
* For more exclusive coverage check out the 2008 NBA All-Star Index on WashingtonWizards.com!
Posted: February 17th, 2008 under Wizards.
Comments
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:06 PM
And that could be last we have seen from Kobe for the evening just 2 minutes and 42 seconds in.
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:07 PM
A lot of energy from the East front line. Good start for the East.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:10 PM
You can say that again FantasticWiz! they are running right past the west
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:17 PM
AND ANTAWN HAS ENTERED THE GAME
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Hey, is anyone wearing the new Jordan XXIII’s?
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Jamison is on the coourt now for the East. Go Wizards!!
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:20 PM
How has Caron Butler handled not being able to play tonight?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:22 PM
Hey babs, I am not sure, unfortunately from my seat, seeing shoes is EXTREMELY difficult. Glad you could join us.
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:24 PM
Really? I guess I have a better seat in front of my 50 inch HD TV.
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:24 PM
I keep thinking Iverson is still in the East…
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Five turnovers for the West starting PG.
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Fantastic, you think that ATL is going to be a better team now that they have Bibby?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:25 PM
Babs what did you think of Caron’s new shoes?
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Not sure, haven’t had a good look yet. Do you have a link?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:27 PM
TWAN IS ON THE BOARD!
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:27 PM
Haywood got the shaft
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:28 PM
He should be a backup at least
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:28 PM
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:31 PM
Do they glow in the dark? From that angle they look like they have some personality, from what I read, it’s a “shoe parade” and the NBA lifts all rules for shoe requirements…Back to Caron’s shoe’s I need another angle
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:31 PM
As for the Hawks that team has always needed a true point and that’s what they get with bibby. It definitely helps their guard play at starter with Johnson and Bibby. The big issue with the trade is they took Shelden Williams 5 oveerall just a couple years ago and he obviously hasn’t lived up to the expectations. He was taken one pick ahead of All-Star Brandon Roy.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:32 PM
i wish he would dunk it… give us a wind mill i know tho’s old legs got it in em
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Try this video, more angles of the shoe. http://www.nba.com/wizards/multimedia/eastpractice2_080217.html
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:33 PM
Hey Wiz4Life thanks for joining us.
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:34 PM
SportzWiz – What’s the difference in terms of the arena atmosphere between this year’s all-star and last year’s in vegas?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:35 PM
After a flurry of dunks to start the game has seemed to take some order, and just as i type that we get a dunk
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:36 PM
Good question Fantastic, the main thing here is that most of the crowd is pro West/New Orleans. Last year nobody was really pulling for one player or one team, theres a definite difference in that regard. Also, last years game got out of hand very quickly which led to a quiet crowd after the first quarter.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:37 PM
Harry Connick Jr. will perform at halftime
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:38 PM
Thanks for the additional angles, after seeing those, I’m a fan and would buy them, but Nike doesn’t really release All-Star shoes…
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:39 PM
any one heard if Caron will be back right after the brake or is he going to sit one or two more?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:39 PM
I’ll see what i can find out over the next week and see if they are for sale
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:40 PM
Great thanks!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:42 PM
Wiz4life real good question. Ernest Eugene one of the wizards trainers, came down here to give Caron treatment over the break. I actually had dinner with ernest on Friday and we talked real shortly about it, basically the key is he needs to be 100%. If he’s 90% and comes back it will act up very quickly on him. And it’s really day to day. Caron really wants to come back.
\I guess after all that I really didn’t tell u much. But we probably won’t know 100% one way or the other until tuesday.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Quick stat that was pretty crazy, The East had 13 assists in the first quarter!
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:43 PM
Except for the SF matchup between LBJ and Melo, I think the East are more athletic and faster than the West team. Clearly the West bench are playing better than their starters.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:44 PM
It’s officially a dunk a thon
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:44 PM
WOW!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:44 PM
yeah well it dose help i was hoping that he would stay out till his 100% i think we need him but as of right now 100% for the rest of the year is better than 90% for 2-3 games
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:46 PM
The combination of LBJ and Dwight Howard are amazing!!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:47 PM
You got it Wiz4Life. Combine that with a healthy antonio and Gil and this team could really be clicking come early April
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:47 PM
the west has the better teams but no dought the east has the better all around players
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Look at the stats line here… LBJ 12 pts, 6 rebs and 7 asts.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Just was saying that up here fantastic, definitely something to look at if he can get a triple0-double.
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:50 PM
Guess who’s gonna finish the game with the most dunks?? SportzWiz, will you be able to check the stats on dunks made?
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:51 PM
Yeah, a triple double in the first half.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:52 PM
When I get the full play-by-play I can take a look. I’ll guess Dwight Howard
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:53 PM
Rasheed shooting left handed, just like practice
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:57 PM
I would like to see more accurate 3-point shooting. 3 of 17 from the East… not too good.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 17, 2008 at 9:57 PM
dose the team that wins this get payed like a bonus or a charity check or something like that
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:00 PM
ANd once again Sheed shooting lefty! That is incredible!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:00 PM
lol he is doing it with his left hand thats got to be hard to do being right handed an all
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:01 PM
As i said in my blog a couple days ago, he was doing it throughout shooting drills and he knocks in an incredible percentage.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:01 PM
Halfway Home
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:02 PM
What is the NBA All-Star record for scoring in a half?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:02 PM
Hey everyone, we just put up about 6 more videos at washingtonwizards.com. Halftime is a great time to check em out.
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:05 PM
Thanks for the videos. I want that Agent-0 license plate.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:06 PM
1st half Dunk Stats for the East
Lebron – 2
Howard – 2
Bosh – 4
Wade – 1
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:08 PM
I dont know the high for a 1/2 although i know it’s more than 74. The three highest scores for regulation all-star games is 153. With different teams scoring 154 and 155 in overtime games.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Great videos SportzWiz!! I was hoping you would put the practice videos!!
About the game honestly it’s not amazing as for now even though we lived about 2 crazy minutes in the first half (back to back alley oops) I hope we’ll get some more crazyness in the second half (and some more Antawn Jamison!!).
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:25 PM
I think we can all agree with that last part lilgil. As for the practice the biggest issue was they really didn’t do anything. It was 45 minutes, with 20 minutes of shooting drills, 5 minutes running out of bounds plays and then 20 minutes of half court shots. Nothing like shaq’s robot last year!
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:28 PM
Yeah that’s what I was thinking, we’re feeling shaq, kobe, carter and I believe even gil’s absence tonight and this weekend….
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Dwight Howard has really stepped up in their absences. Between the dunk contest and his personality he is made for all-star weekend.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:31 PM
I’m glad he’s there, just imagine this weekend without him….. Whatever happens in this second half I will never forget yesterday’s dunk contest 
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:33 PM
Agreed. Being around Antawn this whole weekend you can see how much it means to him to be at this event and playing in this game.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:34 PM
sloppy start to the 2nd.
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:35 PM
Yao for three… no good. Duncan missed a dunk. Just play your game!
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:36 PM
it looks a little more like a game now not just a dunk fest
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:38 PM
looks like antawn will come it at the next stoppage in playl
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:38 PM
nevermind!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:40 PM
now he’s in
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:43 PM
My projection for the MVP of the game: AI in the West and Bosh in the East
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:44 PM
OK. James… 19 – 8 – 8. He wins my MVP vote for the All-Star game.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:44 PM
Well I’ll go with queen labron for mvp.
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:45 PM
No Wizards fan can give the traveler a vote for MVP, come on Fantastic!
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:46 PM
I’m definitely not voting!!!!
Btw seems like the wiz (recently are definitely not meant to score at the ASG
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:47 PM
Fantastic is just calling it like he sees it.
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:47 PM
I think Gil had a rough time at All Star Game last year…
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:48 PM
don’t be surprised if the west wins that C. Paul would somehow win it
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:48 PM
I guess there’s no traveling rule in the All-Star game.
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:48 PM
SportsWiz and Fantastic are in Cahoots for Lebron J!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:49 PM
Im sorry guys!!! 19, 8 and 8
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Paul’s showing some good things out there!!
Comment from babsforlife
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:50 PM
I’m just getting ahead of myself….When LBJ hits the phone booth in the Postseason, it’s going to be different….
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Personally I really want an East win
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:51 PM
We’re two SportzWiz 
Eventhough I’m still wondering what the heck Sheed’s doing out there??
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:52 PM
Chris Paul is amazingly quick, i cant wait for New Orleans on March 2nd, hopefully our guys will be up to the challenge that day.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:53 PM
he’s shooting lefty !
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:53 PM
babsforlife… personally I hope we won’t see LBJ again in the postseason. But if we do, i am with you. Wax the floor of the Verizon Center!!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:53 PM
that’s what he’s doing.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:54 PM
I’ll take it in the Eastern Conference finals fantastic
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:54 PM
What better way to get revenge
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:55 PM
Pierce thought he was Gil for a second
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:56 PM
He thought he was reliving 2002 when he did it over Al Harrington
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:57 PM
Did Pierce say “Hibachi” on the release?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:58 PM
Just a quick reminder the fans vote for MVP, so you can text in whoever you want to win the MVP of the game. And the most text will decide the winner.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 10:59 PM
mmmmh will I spend 100$ on voting for ‘tawn?? no so I won’t vote lol.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:00 PM
LilGil, sorry about the international rates.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:00 PM
Fourth quarter now we’ll see if the game starts getting a little more serious.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:01 PM
it’s alright, the real problem is the fact that it’s 4:46 am in here and I have class a in about three hours !!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:01 PM
LOVE IT LILGIL!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:02 PM
I don’t have the # but you can also vote online by clicking here
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:04 PM
The whole crowd gave a loud gasp after that one.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Yeah you gotta love Stoudemire’s power, let’s hope Howard pays back 
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:06 PM
I called it “Spiderman” over “Superman” dunk.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:06 PM
For voting by phone, text the last name to 38657.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:08 PM
here comes the west, tied at 110!
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:08 PM
It’s getting excited now. Game is tied at 110.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:09 PM
wow Stoudemire’s slaming, Paul’s stealing, Dirk’s scoring the East gotta wake up right now
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:10 PM
CP3 and the sell-out crowd going after LEBRON after that airball
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:12 PM
East is in trouble now… West is playing with more poise now… and less dribbling.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:14 PM
East went back to a lineup thats gotten a lot of results, kidd, howard, lebron, dwade and now Ray allen, going a little smaller.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:15 PM
West is countering by going big. I like this for the East if the east can keep it out of the half court style
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:17 PM
wow hugggggggggggggggggggggge and 1….
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:17 PM
The move is not workin out for doc rivers and the east. West keeping it in a slow place.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:18 PM
even bigger 3…
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:19 PM
You know what, if it was Caron in there, he would have got those 3 pointers WITH A FOUL lol.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Ray allen goign off!
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Wooooo….. back 2 back 2 back threes from R. Allen
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:20 PM
NO DOUBT LIL GIL! NO DOUBT
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:22 PM
West bench outscore the starters by a ton.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
If the east doesn’t win i hope it’s chris paul that is the reason.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
The entire Press row jumped after that one
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Lebron Wow!
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM
DAGGER!
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:25 PM
Wow that’s what you need to win an allstar game!!!
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:26 PM
never seen anyone walking with a ball in his hands more than allen just did lol.
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:27 PM
even Lebron LilGil?
Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Ok everyone it’s been fun, time to head out! Thanks so much for joining me and I hope I didn’t let dave and Glenn down!
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Okay I maybe forgot about him ^^.
You know what, I’m sure Lebron was running up and down the floor thinking “boy allen’s about to steal that mvp from me, I need something to get back on top” and he threw that nasty dunk.
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Good finish… I guess Ray Allen stole the MVP trophy from LBJ.
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:29 PM
Thank’s guys for being here tonight, always a great place to chat see ya on tuesday!!
Comment from LilGil
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:32 PM
I believe it’s clear who got the mvp honors…
Bye!
Comment from FantasticWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 11:36 PM
I forgot that most fans txt their MVP vote prior to R. Allen’s shooting spree.
Comment from Wizards4Life
Time February 18, 2008 at 12:24 AM
thanks for the blog.. i dont think fans should vote for anything too many people out there with posters and no common sense
Comment from LilGil
Time February 18, 2008 at 8:05 AM
I was actually gonna ask you if I was the only one worried by the power fans are getting lately?!
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time February 18, 2008 at 12:16 PM
I really want the wizards to make a trade and the sonics are open to trade Mickael Gelabale,johan petro,damien wilkens,and wally all good players that the wizards need to pursue….i say trade Darius and etan for johan petro,Mickael Gelabale ,and damien wilkens…
Comment from FLOYDBT
Time February 18, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Also another trade would be for francisco elson of the spurs for darius and a 2nd round draft pick…. francisco can be a good back up for brendan and with darius gone andray would be able to play more at the PF position
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 18, 2008 at 5:58 PM
What makes you think the Sonics or Spurs want to make those trades?
I might add, btw, that Petro, Gelabale and Wilkins are three of the worst players in the league. Francisco Elson is below average but not as bad as the other three. We have a competent backup center in Etan Thomas as soon as he returns — and as long as Eddie doesn’t coach him and Brendan into fighting w/ each other.
The nets are about to get much worse, while the Hawks just got a little better. The team that made out unbelievably, however, is Miami — they just acquired one of the best players in the league for Shaq who was great once (but no more).
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 18, 2008 at 5:59 PM
“one of the best players in the league” — i.e. Shawn Marion.
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 18, 2008 at 6:07 PM
You guys are going to hate this. Here is Dave Berri’s (of Wages of Wins fame) analysis of NBA rookies at mid-point (i.e. about 10 days ago). Note that this is *not* opinion; it’s statistical analysis using what is, so far, the best method.
You will notice that Nick Young is the 2d worst rookie on the list. The worst at mid-point was Andre Thornton, but he has picked up his game in the last weeks, so Nick is probably at the bottom.
http://www.wagesofwins.com/TopRookiesMid0708.html
Note that for some reason Dave forgot to put Dominic’s numbers in there. They aren’t good, through 41 games, but like Andre he has picked it up a lot.
Comment from wiz-skins07
Time February 18, 2008 at 8:24 PM
From ESPN.com
WASHINGTON — Gilbert Arenas was cleared to participate in light, non-contact drills by the Washington Wizards on Monday, a step forward in his return from left knee surgery.
Arenas has said he hopes to return to the Wizards in the coming weeks. The team has not said when he can return to full-contact practice.
Another injured Wizards player, center Etan Thomas, was cleared to practice for the first time since he had open-heart surgery in October. No timetable has been set for him to play in a game.
After a routine preseason physical, Thomas was told surgery would be a good idea because of a leaky aortic valve. The biggest impediment to his return to practice had been concern over how much pounding he could take on his sternum, which was broken during the 4½-hour operation.
Arenas, third in the NBA in scoring in 2006-07, injured his left knee late last season and needed surgery. He returned to action at the start of this season, but needed another operation in November.
The Wizards (25-27) return from the All-Star break Tuesday night at home against the New York Knicks.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press
Comment from Tom Mandel
Time February 18, 2008 at 8:36 PM
Now look at the sophomores at mid-point in the season, analyzed the same way:
http://www.wagesofwins.com/TopSophsMid0708.html
Note that six of the top eight were available when we chose Oleksiy. In particular, Jordan Farmar would look very good on our team. He’s a real point guard, and he has a game similar to Antonio’s.
As to the rookies, it’s obvious in retrospect that Sean Williams was a steal; but, he had a reputation as possibly a bad citizen, and we don’t pick guys like that. Glen Davis, who dropped to round 2 inexplicably, would have been a good choice as well. I believe Paul Millsap, who is going to have a 10 year career was taken 1 pick before we got Vereeemeeenkkko, whoever he is.
Hindsight is 20-20 as they say. On the other hand, Millsap led the nation in rebounding, Glen Davis won a championship for his college team, and those things were pretty easy to see.
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Comment from SportzWiz
Time February 17, 2008 at 8:51 PM
Hey everybody, starters are being announced and by far the loudest cheers have been for all the New Orleans guys, David West, Chris Paul and Byron Scott. And if you like Jazz music you would love it here, they have been blasting it since the players walked out. And to me that’s a good thing!