The brightest NBA Stars descend into the heart of the country’s sporting mecca for the ultimate basketball experience for their loyal followers, all raring to feed into the Filipino’s passion for the sport.
Called the Ultimate All-Star Weekend, the two-game series brings in the current icons in the NBA, headed by Kobe Bryant , Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant and Chris Paul.
The supporting cast is as star-studded made up of Derek Fisher, Derrick Williams, Tyreke Evans, James Harden and JaVale McGee.
They arrived yesterday for the exhibition games with a PBA selection tonight and Smart Gilas Pilipinas tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum in a mega-buck dream series put up by MVP Sports Foundation.
If there are teams in the NBA that have been criticized, questions and hated most it would be Miami Heat and LA Lakers all out of the NBA season.
Miami Heat was followed with so much criticism because of the unity of the three most priced players in the league Lebron James, Dwayne Wade and Chris Bosh. Many people thought specially the media that this team would not be as successful at least this season because of lack of depth in their lineup and they are relying mostly by the ‘Big 3’.
As for the Lakers, they were hounded by injuries and inconsistencies throughout the season. 4 game losing streaks and recently 5 game losing streaks. Their status as the NBA defending champion was now hanging tough as others improving very well. Is this mean that majority of the NBA fans wanted LA out in the race of NBA Championship?
In spite of all controversies and adversities, these two monster teams still the team to watch and the team to beat come playoff time. Miami Heat and the LA Lakers are the team that everybody doesn’t want to face off in the early goings of NBA Playoff 2011.
LA Lakers is equipped with the entire arsenal to capture their 3rd consecutive NBA Championship. With Kobe Bryant leading Lakers, you have to realize that they are the team to beat in the Western Conference. They could the thorn for every team and still everybody believes, LA Lakers is the team who will emerge to become the Western Conference Champion. But this time it would be more challenging and classic challenge as everybody are improving most specially the emerging San Antonio Spurs.
Miami Heat and Lebron James were the most controversial and criticized them throughout the season. Many believes that this would not be their yet and they can’t be succeeded with Boston Celtics at helm. Lebron James together with Dwayne Wade and Chris and determined to prove all critics wrong and now ready for real game the NBA Playoff 2011. This is big time and the Miami Heat would be tough as nail and if they will survive against Boston Celtics (just in case) they will establish their selves as the team in East.
With the way I see it, a 80% possibility Miami Heat vs. LA Lakers NBA Championship 2011. This is the reality, both teams are in the right track to secure the seat for NBA Championship 2011 and they intend to do it. This is not about hallucination but rather a fair forecast. LA Lakers toughest test in Western Conference would be San Antonio Spurs and Miami Heat toughest team to beat is Boston Celtics. But if they will be able survive the series then it’s going to be a Lakers vs. Heat showdown in 2011.
It was like the last game of Kobe in L.A. at least for the All-Stars game as he brought the house down by showing that he has still the legs to deliver a show. 37 points from the ‘Black Mamba’ Kobe Bryant.
Kobe Bryant won his 4th NBA All-Stars MVP as he led the West All-Stars to beat the Lebron James lead East All-Stars.
Kobe Bryant once again proves to the world that he is not yet done in basketball. He was purely motivated and determined to showcase what he can still do on the court with fellow superstars. This might motivate his team as well to regain their rhythm and defend their title and win a championship in three-peat.
Kobe was totally come in the game prepared and ready to give the fans a show and to give the West All-Stars to get back on East All-Stars. As he said:
“I feel like we have a sense of responsibility and we are voted in for what we do during the season, which is play hard. And we come here, that’s what the fans want to see. They want to see us go at it and see us compete and that’s what I try to do and that’s what I try to tell my teammates to do.”
Lebron James powered the East All-Stars rally, finishing with 29 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists to join Michael Jordan as the only players with a triple-double in the All-Star game. Lebron James displayed a lot of athleticism and he almost carries the East team to a win with his brilliant and intelligent plays.
Lebron James, with his presence give the Kobe and West a scare in the fourth quarter until in the few seconds of the game which they were able to cut the lead to 2 points.
Dwayne Wade said he rolled the ankle he originally hurt in a loss at Boston Celtics last week. He was hoping James would pull it out without him.
“I wish the East woul’ve have won, then my teammate with the triple-double performance would’ve stole the MVP, But they deserved it.”
See some highlights in the video above the top 10 plays…for 2011 NBA All-Stars game!
