Thunder Up! - OVER.

[Martti.]

Rashard Lewis - spot on. Great previews.

[dare]

I'm going to be the steal of the draft

[Justine.]

Valdis, As far as I can remember, you're the tallest prospect and that can help you dominate.

Thierry •, Marcus? All I can say is you're athletic and pretty balanced player.

Martti., Thanks man

KidJustin, Oh my bad. But here's my reference for the logo. http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=626 Not so familiar with these schools

dare, Let's see man.

[George7]

Nice article Justine. about the draftees Keyon Dooling? I hope at least I won't make a magic duo with a Bogans like player
Only if you could make my hair longer.Make them spikey short or medium.



Western Starters:
Guard:Jason Williams
Guard:Earl Boykins
Forward:Jason Kapono
Forward:Glen Davis
Center:Eddy Curry
Reserves:
1.Joel Anthony
2.Brian Scalabrine
3.James Jones
4.Flip Murray
5.Sonny Weems
6.Javaris Crittenton
7.Kwame Brown

Eastern Starters:
Guard:Sebastian Telfair
Guard:Gerald Green
Forward:Rasual Butler
Forward:Pops Mensah-Bonsu
Center:Darko Milicic
Reserves:
1.Devean George(because of the name )
2.Luther Head
3.Ricky Davis
4.Sean May
5.DJ Mbenga
6.Adam Morrison
7.Darius Miles

[rise]

Western Starters:
Guard: Rashad McCants
Guard: James White
Forward: Luke Walton
Forward: Adam Morrison
Center: Steven Hill
Reserves:
1. Darius Miles
2. Coby Karl
3. Robert Swift
4. Oleksiy Pecherov
5. Gerald Green
6. Ricky Davis
7. Mike Taylor

Eastern Starters:
Guard: Earl Boykins
Guard: Matt Carroll
Forward: WALTER HERRMANN!!!
Forward: Glen Davis
Center: The Greatness That Is Joel Anthony
Reserves:
1. Eduardo Najera
2. Jason Kapono
3. Jerry Stackhouse
4. Nazr Mohammed
5. Kwame Brown
6. Sherron Collins
7. Sonny Weems

[Grandmama Johnson]

"The Greatness that is Joel Anthony"

love it

[Axel The Great]

Cool article, Justine. My player looks sexy. Guess I'm just another shot-chucking player coming into the NBA.

I like that everyone is voting for (the Greatness that is) Joel Anthony as a starter. Shame on hova for not doing so.

[Justine.]

Game of the Week

We meet again

| 25 | 37| 20 | 23 | 105
| 32 | 25 | 27 | 35 | 119



The Thunder are currently sitting atop the West leaving the Los Angeles Lakers behind, but still, it seems that they can't find a way to beat the defending champions.

Pau Gasol had 26 points and 11 rebounds, Kobe Bryant scored 20 points of his own and the Lakers firmed up their grasp on second place in the West by beating the Thunder 119-105.

Andrew Bynum who's fresh off from a serious injury played well and had 18 points and eight boards, while Derek Fisher who never attempted a single shot in the first three quarters exploded in the fourth by converting all of his seven shots en route to 17 points and four assists. There's also some achievers in the bench with Lamar Odom and Shannon Brown scoring 13 and 10 respectively.

Thunder who recently notched a surprising loss against the Magic, played a great game and almost beat the Lakers, they achieved a five point lead in the fourth but the Lakers was able to stop the Thunder by their tight defense. Lakers then used a 16-2 run to pull away and didn't look back.

Kevin Durant led the Thunder by his 30 points, Jeff Green chipped in 26 and Thabo Sefolosha tallied a season-high 17 points which has lost 11 straight against the Lakers at Los Angeles dating back to 2006 when they were the Seattle Sonics.

Lakers dominated the paint with their 70 points compared to Thunder's 58. The Thunder somehow had the upperhand with the blocking category, they swatted eight shots, while Lakers didn't commit even one.

Russell Westbrook went on a quiet shooting night and scored only 10 points but dished 11 assists.

It was the first meeting between the teams since the Lakers eliminated the Thunder in the first round of the playoffs last season in six games.

Thunder now lose two straight games and may look to bounce back against the Nuggets next game.

Previous Games:




Top Performers:
Kevin Durant - 32 points, five rebounds, four blocks | Russell Westbrook - 23 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds
Carmelo Anthony - 31 points, seven rebounds | Nene - five points, 16 rebounds, three blocks


Top Performers:
Amar'e Stoudemire - 25 points, eight rebounds | Anthony Randolph - 23 points, seven rebounds | Wilson Chandler - 23 points, nine rebounds
Russell Westbrook - 34 points, 10 assists, four steals | Kevin Durant - 21 points, seven rebounds

[Kubik]

Tough losses against tough opponents but you are still on the top

[kibaxx7]

Westbrook seems unstoppable. Great job with him, shame the L's.

[Justine.]

Kubik, Lakers are just too tough to handle

Thierry •, Yes he is I just played the Lakers game and simmed those two games, pretty unlucky I guess.

[Justine.]

Game of the Week

Torched by Heat

| 39 | 29| 31 | 30 | 129
| 31 | 36 | 25 | 21 | 113



And yet, the Thunder fell again to another elite team of the league. The Heat's Big 3 of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh had their one of the best game of their season.

James led the Heat 39 points, along with eight rebounds, six assists and a season-high six steals, Wade added 31. Bosh hit for 20 points in a effective 7-of-9 shooting to cruise over the Thunder, 129-113.

The score must have been closer, but James scored his 27 points in the first half of the game and continued his dominance throughout the second half. It has been James versus Kevin Durant in the third, the two superstars where converting every shots they make. Durant scored 20 point of his team's 25 points in the third quarter, he finished the game with a monstrous 46 points. But the Heat had their last laugh. The presence of Wade and Bosh was not felt during the first two quarters of the game, but the two erupted and almost playing with the Thunder so easily in the last quarter of the game.

Russell Westbrook finished with 21 points and also 11 assists, James Harden came off the bench and nailed 13 points, while Jeff Green struggled in the whole game and shot only for 4 out of 11 en route to only 10 points.

The Heat showed their true teamwork and dished 26 assists compared to Thunder's 19. They also had the upperhand in terms of rebounding, 34-28.

Thunder who have been winless within the last week now cruise to a 3-1 week prior to their wins against Hornets, Timberwolves and the Wizards few days ago.

So the January has concluded and the Thunder may look to bounce back from this loss and will now enter the exciting month of February where the All-Star Festival is much anticipated.

Previous Games:


Top Performers:
Kevin Durant - 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists | Jeff Green - 21 points, eight rebounds, 3 blocks
Marcus Thornton - 26 points, three steals | Trevor Ariza - 16 points, 10 rebounds, four assists


Top Performers:
Jonny Flynn - 19 points, seven assists | Wesley Johnson - 16 points, 4 rebounds, three steals
Kevin Durant - 21 points, 11 rebounds | Daequan Cook - 17 points, 5-7 FG, 4-5 3PT in 15 minutes


Top Performers:
John Wall - 23 points, four rebounds, five assists | Rashard Lewis - 17 points, six rebounds
Kevin Durant - 32 points, 8 rebounds, 3 steals | Russell Westbrook - 17 points, 14 assists, six rebounds

[Kubik]

Ahh, another tough loss against Heat but you have done great job in this week the rest of the games.

[Justine.]

Month of January Report

Match Results



Player Statistics



League Leaders



Leage Standings



Player Awards

Rookie of the Month in East: John Wall
Rookie of the Month in West: Blake Griffin

Player of the Month in East: LeBron James
Player of the Month in West: Kobe Bryant

Transactions

1/9 - Wizards sign Flip Murray to 1yr/$1.70M deal
1/21 - Trailblazers sign Mike Harris to 1yr/$1.48M deal

[hova-]

Wow, 36-11 is pretty good. Bobcats are doing well, also. Tough loss vs the Heat, LeBron with 39 is wicked.

[Justine.]

hova-, Thanks bud. Oh Bobcats is so very unrealistic compared to RL, Jackson is on his way to the All-Star Game. Thinking if I will do the Wallace trade, as for the loss, LeBron is LeBron, too tough to guard, even Durant can't slow him.

[KidJustin]

LeBron is LeBron, too tough to guard, even Durant can't slow him.

i was able to slow down LeBron with Blake put him at SF and LeBron went like 0 points in that quarter after scoring about 15+ each quarter before

[Justine.]

Evans, Wall headlines selections for 2011 Rookie Challenge



NEW YORK -- Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans, the reigning T-Mobile Rookie of the Year, and Washington Wizards rookie guard John Wall, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2011 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Feb. 18, in Los Angeles during NBA All-Star 2011.

The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA's assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.

Joining Evans on the Sophomore team are: Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, New Jersey Nets forward Terrence Williams, Pacers guard Darren Collison, Toronto Raptors center David Andersen, New Orleans guard Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings forward Omri Casspi, Oklahoma City Thunder forward/center Serge Ibaka, Spurs forward/center DeJuan Blair, and Indiana Pacers forward Tyler Hansbrough.

Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin, the top selection in the 2009 NBA Draft, joins Wall on the Rookie team, which also includes: Sixers guard Evan Turner, Toroto Raptors forward Ed Davis, Sacramento Kings center DeMarcus Cousins, Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe, San Antonio Spurs guard James Anderson, Detroit Pistons center Greg Monroe, Timberwolves guard Wesley Johnson and New Jersey Nets forward Derrick Favors.

Last year in Dallas, the Rookies won for the first time since 2002.

Sacramento's Evans earned T-Mobile Rookie Challenge MVP honors after recording 26 points, six rebounds and five assists in the Rookies' 140-128 win.

Below are the rosters for the 2011 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam:

Tyreke Evans
Stephen Curry
Terrence Williams
Serge Ibaka
David Andersen
---------------------
Darren Collison
Marcus Thornton
Omri Casspi
DeJuan Blair
Tyler Hansbrough

John Wall
Evan Turner
Blake Griffin
Ed Davis
DeMarcus Cousins
---------------------
Eric Bledsoe
James Anderson
Wesley Johnson
Derrick Favors
Greg Monroe

Morrison, Anthony headline inaugural Null-Star Game



NEW YORK -- Free agent forward Adam Morrison and Miami Heat center Joel Anthony, lead a selection of 13 players selected for the first ever Null-Star Game to be held on Feb. 18 after the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, in Los Angeles during NBA All-Star 2011.

Prior to the cancellation of the Haier Shooting Stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge and H.O.R.S.E Contest, NBA Commisioner David Stern announced that he will replace the said events by the Null-Star Game. The game will consist of players that have been forgotten and played in the NBA poorly or their own suckitude fame. 2011 Null-Star Balloting allowed fans around the world to vote for their favorite players as starters and reserves for the 2011 NBA All-Star Game.

Morrison will lead the starters for the Western Null-Star team and will be joined by Trailblazers guard Patty Mills, former Maverick Gerald Green, New Orleans Hornets forward Pops Mensah-Bonsu and Timberwolves center Darko Millicic. The reserves for the team will include highflyer James White, ex-Clipper guard Ricky Davis, guard Darius Miles, Sonics guard Desmond Mason, Memphis Grizzlies center Hasheem Thabeet, Spurs guard and center Chris Quinn, Matt Bonner, and Timberwolves forward Anthony Tolliver.

Rounding up for the Eastern Null-Star starters will be, Heat center Anthony, Milwaukee Bucks guard Earl Boykins, Raptors guard Sonny Weems, Miami Heat forward James Jones, and Chicago Bulls forward Brian Scalabrine. As for the reserves squad, Celtics guard Von Wafer, former Bucks Damon Jones, athletic Joe Alexander, forward Stromile Swift, Bobcats center Kwame Brown, guard Javaris Crittenton, Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis and Sixers forward Jason Kapono.

The league is not sure about how this event will attract fans and viewers, but one thing is for sure, it is great to see this kind of players showcase their talents at the same time in this All-Star festival.

West
G Patty Mills
G Gerald Green
F Adam Morrison
F Pops Mensah-Bonsu
C Darko Millicic
---------------------
G James White
G Ricky Davis
F Darius Miles
F Desmond Mason
C Hasheem Thabeet
G Chris Quinn
F Matt Bonner
F Anthony Tolliver

East
G Earl Boykins
G Sonny Weems
F James Jones
F Brian Scalabrine
C Joel Anthony
---------------------
G Von Wafer
G Damon Jones
F Joe Alexander
F Stromile Swift
C Kwame Brown
G Javaris Crittenton
F Glen Davis
F Jason Kapono

Six participants in Three-Point Contest announced

New York -- Reigning champion Paul Pierce of the Boston Celtics will defend his title in this year's Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 19, at Staples Center in Los Angeles as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night. Rounding out the field are Aaron Brooks of the Rockets, Mike Miller of Miami Heat, James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Omri Casspi of the Sacramento Kings, and Michael Conley of the Memphis Grizzlies. Miller appeared in the contest twice.

Pierce bested the Golden State Warriors' Stephen Curry in last year's contest, scoring 20 points in the final round to capture the title. Jeff Hornacek, Jason Kapono, Mark Price and Peja Stojakovic each won two titles; Larry Bird and Craig Hodges captured three straight.

The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four Official Spalding NBA game balls worth one point each and one Spalding NBA All-Star 2011 commemorative red, white and blue "money ball" worth two points at each location. Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of first-round scores. The player who will sink the most number of balls will declared as the winner.

Griffin, Thomas, Westbrook and Young set for Sprite Slam Dunk

New York -- There will be a new Sprite Slam Dunk champion crowned on Feb. 19, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles as four first-time contestants vie for the title: the Los Angeles Clippers' Blake Griffin, the Charlotte Bobcats' Tyrus Thomas, the Oklahoma City Thunder's Russell Westbrook and the Washington Wizards' Nick Young.

The fan voting of the event will be omitted, thus, the judge will be the one's who will decide who will be the new champion.

The two dunkers with the highest first round scores will advance to the final round. The dunker with the lowest total score from the first round will compete first in the final round. Dunks then will alternate until each player has completed two. Time limit rules still apply. The one who will garner the most point for their dunks will be the winner.

Wade and Bryant highlights the 60th NBA All-Star Game

New York -- Los Angeles Lakers guard Kobe Bryant, a three-time All-Star MVP, is this year's leading vote-getter in the NBA All-Star Balloting program presented by T-Mobile with 2,650,951 votes. It is Bryant's 13th consecutive All-Star selection; only Jerry West, Karl Malone and Shaquille O'Neal, with 14 straight nods each, have more. Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade, the second leading vote-getter overall with 2,699,912, paced the Eastern Conference.

Bryant, the youngest All-Star in NBA history in 1998, and the All-Star MVP in 2002 and 2007, and co-MVP along with Shaquille O'Neal in 2009, is joined in the Western Conference starting backcourt by the Utah Jazz' Deron Williams (1,947,840) who replaced injured Chris Paul (1,951,621) in the starting spot. The Oklahoma City Thunder's Kevin Durant (2,117,821), making his first All-Star Game start, and the Denver Nuggets' Carmelo Anthony (2,016,634) are the starting forwards. The Utah Jazz' Al Jefferson will be on his first All-Star apperance gets the nod at center (90,1603). Several debutants for the All-Star Game will include the reserves, they are Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Golden State Warriors guard Monta Ellis, Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay, and Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans who replaced Dirk Nowitzki of the Mavericks because of an injury. Pau Gasol of the Los Angeles Lakers will be on his 4th appearance will Spurs guard Manu Ginobili made the cut and will play his 2nd All-Star Game.

Joining last year All-Star MVP Wade in the Eastern Conference starting lineup at guard is the Boston Celtic's Rajon Rondo (1,785,060). The starters for the East at forward are the Heat's LeBron James (2,061,471), the 2006 and 2008 All-Star Game MVP, and the New York Knicks' Amar'e Stoudemire (1,403,272). James and Wade are the first set of teammates to start an All-Star Game for the Eastern Conference since Wade and Shaquille O'Neal represented the Heat in 2007 in Las Vegas. For the reserves, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls will make his second straight All-Star Game appearance, Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger, Gilbert Arenas of the Magic will return to the All-Star Game in his 4th appearance, Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson, the first-timers includes Stephen Jackson of the Charlotte Bobcats, Josh Smith of the Hawks and center Brook Lopez.

Notable snubs for this year are center Andrew Bogut of the Bucks who has been playing great, Chris Bosh, TIm Duncan who had been selected 12th straight years, had his streak broken now, another All-Streak by Kevin Garnett will also end this year.

Oklahoma City Thunder's Scott Brooks earned the right to coach the West while Doc Rivers of the Boston Celtics will lead the East.

[Bucket]

Russell in Dunk contest
Nice to see Thunder players in all contests and all-star game.

[KidJustin]

nice all-star recap!

[George7]

Nice headlines!!
Cheering for Thomas to win the Dunk Contest!!

[maksie]

wohoo finally,nice to see Monta in the All-star game !

[Kubik]

Great presentation! I like Westbrook in Dunk contest but Nick Young? I never seen his dunks Nice job!

[kibaxx7]

Looking forward to the Null-Star Game

[KidJustin]

George7, thomas? really? he stunk it up like he didnt care when he was in it in real life

...we all know who's going to win

Kubik, Young is a sick dunker...well when he was in USC i remember...in washington i havent seen him so much, but he should be exciting