The second half did indeed go according to trend, but only with a twist ending. LeBron continued to play well, but threw up too many dumb jumpers and tried to do too much on his own to win the MVP. That award went to Dwyane Wade, ruining a good night of basketball in the process (I’ll explain why some other time).

The game was cruising to thrilling finish. The score was tied at 137 and the East had the ball with 12.7 seconds left. It looked to many of us that the East called a time out as Wade crossed half court, but the refs signaled instead that Deron Williams had taken an intentional foul. Why? Why would anyone do that? Apparently he forgot the situation. In any case, Wade hit two free throws to put the East up 139-137. George Karl of the West (that sounds like an old military title of some kind) drew up a play for Dirk Nowitzki to take a game winning three, but he was fouled after a pump-fake on Dwight Howard. Two more freebies and the game was tied again. The East draws up a play that breaks down and ends with Chris Bosh driving the baseline with the ball. Unfortunately, he’s not a ball handler and would have fumbled the ball – and maybe the game – away if the refs hadn’t called a foul on Chauncey Billups. Bosh hits two free throws and it’s 141-139. George of the West goes away from what allot of folks wanted to see: either Dirk taking the three to win in his team’s city or having Billups, who had been shooting well in the second half, taking the shot. No, instead Carmelo Anthony goofs around for the last five seconds near mid-court (looking allot like LeBron does on a big play – not a compliment, Melo) before tossing up a drifting three with a hand in his face.

In all, those last 12.7 seconds took a good couple real-life minutes to run through, and I blame the glacial ending on Deron Williams.

Well, that’s the All Star game folks. Cleveland plays George of the West and his Nuggets on Thursday, with their eyes set on a 14th straight win. Let’s go Cavs!

2 Responses to “NBA All-Star Game – 2nd half Coverage”