ALL-STAR COVERAGE ('05/06)
ROOKIE CHALLENGE
This year's game has a few more storylines than usual. You've got the Bobcats' 2 1st Round draftees ('Meka vs. Guy); the teaming of the top rookies (Askins vs. Guy); and the teaming of the top 2 picks in last year's draft ('Meka vs. Howard) among others.
Firstly, we'll start with the team lineups. We begin with the Sophomore Stars who will be playing in their respective team's home jerseys. We already know the starters, let's check out who else made the cut for the sophomores.
Swingman
Loul Deng (Bulls - #7 pick in 2004 Draft) will be the 1st guy off the bench for the Sophomores. The former Blue Devil has really stepped up his play in this season as he starts for the Bulls, and provides a strong offensive punch alongside soph star Ben Gordon.
Dwight Howard (Magic - #1 pick in 2004 Draft) must once again backup rival PF, and last season's ROY, Emeka Okafor. Howard is still producing solidly for the Magic, however expect big things from this kid in the next couple of years.
Andris Biedrins (Warriors - #11 pick in 2004 Draft) has been the benefactor of the retirements of Clifford Robinson and Dale Davis this past off-season. Their departures has meant that Biedrins has been thrust into the starting lineup for the struggling Warriors. He has put up decent numbers and the Warriors hope he continues to improve rapidly.
Rafael Araujo (Raptors - #8 pick in 2004 Draft) is the final sophomore star to make the cut. The Brazilian bigman has shown strong improvement this season and he is providing good rebounding and defense off the bench for the Raptors.
Now we look at the Rookie Stars lineup and the 4 rookies who were named reserves for this event.
PG
Joshua Fowles (76ers - #7 pick in 2005 Draft) shocked everyone when the 76ers called out his name with the 7th pick in the Draft, which was about 7 or 8 slots higher than many expected him to go. He has not stopped surprising folks as he is playing superbly in a 6th man role as a backup PG/SG for the 76ers. This kid looks like he is for real.
Turkish born bigman
Ivan Hrkac (Pacers - #9 pick in 2005 Draft) has been a solid find for Indiana and has been providing solid backup minutes behind Jermaine O'Neal. Hrkac is a strong rebounder and shot-blocker and has a nice little midrange jumper.
Ade Recasner (Warriors - #38 pick in 2005 Draft) was originally picked by the Pacers in last year's draft. Since the Pacers had already picked up Ivan Hrkac with their 1st Round pick, they had no need for Recasner and traded him straight up for the next pick, guard Bandele Williams (#39 pick in 2005 Draft). The centre-thin Warriors couldn't have been happier with they landed a 1st Round talent like Recasner. Since then, Recasner has stepped in well for the Warriors, especially when Troy Murphy went down with another injury.
Finally, Euro youngster Mark Becker (Nuggets - #14 pick in 2005 Draft) has made fans quickly with his hustle and his non-European approach to the game. Becker was a nice pickup that late in the draft for the Nuggets, and they are reaping the rewards of this pick.
Now to the game....
A subdued Okafor is determined to get the better of Bobcats' rookie teammate Guy Dumars
It looks like Dumars has other things on his mind as he's just there for a good time
Not knowing that they were suppose to lose this game, the Rookie Stars came out flying, and quickly ran out to a 19-2 advantage.
Fowles feeds Dumars with the sweet alleyoop pass
Realising now that the Rookie Stars were embarrasing them they started a fightback late in the 1st quarter.
I think someone forgot to tell these foreigners that no one plays hard in these sort of games
The quarter ended with the Rookie Stars up 33-19, with Priest Askins exploding for 12 1st quarter points.
The 2nd quarter was a see-sawing battle as the Sophomore Stars turned it up a gear.
No one expected Biedrins to have this sort of effect on the game when he was put in
'Meka exploded in the 2nd term to bring them back into the game. Bobcats' teammate Guy Dumars also impressed on the offensive end, while Priest Askins already had a double-double by half-time as the Rookie Stars held onto an 8 point lead at the half.
The key players at the half for their respective teams were Priest Askins and Emeka Okafor. Whilst 'Meka had the advantage in the scoring department, Askins filled up every category of the boxsheet in the 1st half.
The 3rd quarter was one where the Sophomores continue to claw into the Rookies' lead.
It took to the 3rd quarter for the 2 'Cats to battle
Just as the heat of the game started to rise, a Japanese magician stepped in.
We knew Honor-ism wasn't a one-trick pony but this is just ridiculous
On the back of a buzzer beating jumper by Ben Gordon, the sophomores cut the deficit to 2 points going into the last quarter. Whilst Okafor continued to score at will, Nets' rookie Kerry McKey was surprising with his ability to get others involved.
The 4th quarter was see-sawing with the Rookies extending their lead to 7 and then the Sophomores bringing it back down to 2. The Sophomore Stars were led by Bulls' pair Ben Gordon and Loul Deng in the 4th quarter.
Gordon had his game face on in the 4th but would it be enough?!?
With a furious charge in the last 2 minutes the Sophomore Stars trailed by only 2 in the final 20 seconds with a chance to either tie or win the game. Unfortunately for the Sophomores, Okafor's short jumper rolled out and Iwanaka grabbed the board and was sent to the line for 2 free throws.
All the pressure is on the little Asian, but can he handle it?!?
With the game riding on these 2 shots from the charity stripe, the #3 pick in last year's draft calmly drilled both of them to give the Rookie Stars a shock 98-94 victory over their favoured rival Sophomore Stars.
Whilst Honor-ism secured the victory, there was one star that shined above the rest. Introducing the 2006 Rookie Challenge MVP from the Rookie All-Stars, Priest Askins!!!
There must be another reason why Askins is so happy, but what is it?!?
Askins thoroughly deserved to win the award as he had a stellar night, and showed what an ace he is on the boards (19 including 6 on the offensive end) and defending the basket (5 blocks). He really did prove that he was a worthy #1 pick in last year's draft. Maybe the Wizards will be watching and get him some more minutes.
Let's checked out the stats. We'll starting with the winning Rookie Stars who were led by Askins, Dumars and Iwanaka.
Now to the Sophomore Stars who got a stellar night from Okafor, and strong support from Deng, Gordon and Iggy.
Let's now take a look at the highlights from the game....
Rookie Stars:
We've all gotten use to this all too familar sight of "That Guy"
This had to be Askins' most explosive bucket of the night as he put back a missed shot with pizazz!!!
He usually leads the break, but this time Honor-ism strides away for the uncontest layup, which formed part of the Rookie's 1st quarter run
Whilst he seemed more comfortably giving the ball up (9 assists), McKey did find time for one flush
We now know that they know how to raise the roof in Croatia
Fowles glides in for a duece
The Sophomore Stars didn't respect Mayfield's game. Result: He burns them for 17 points.
Someone forgot to tell Hrkac he wasn't Vinsanity, and Deng wasn't Weis. Result: Hrkac tries to lay it in and misses.
No, don't ask me why Recasner needs 3 armbands 'cos I don't know
Sophomore Stars:
Okafor unleashes his fury on the rim
Howard goes one better than 'Meka with this effort and sends a statement to the NBA for not inviting him to the Slam Dunk Contest
Air Gordon unleases a nasty one-handed slam in the Sophomores' 4th quarter run
Loul Deng makes Mayfield look like he's still in grade school
I guess Iggy hasn't learnt yet that you have more chance making a shot if you are balanced.
Nelson absorbs the contact and makes the shot in a 3 point play
Who said Euro players are soft?!? Biedrins looks pretty fired up after a 2-handed jam
Swift did what he does best for Seattle which is grab a few boards and block a couple of shots
Come on Guy!!! You won't last in the league long if you let guys like Araujo score on you
That concludes the coverage from the 2006 Rookie Challenge from ASW. Make sure to tune in for further All-Star festivities.