The Daily Steeze: Quick Thoughts on NBA All Star Weekend

The Eastern Conference finally stopped Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin -- then stopped its losing streak at the NBA All-Star Game. The East rallied for a 163-155 victory over the West on Sunday night in the highest-scoring All-Star Game ever. Fresh off another NBA All Star Weekend, here are some random thoughts on the All Star game itself, the players, & All Star Saturday night.

1. Put Paul George Back in the Oven

He's not ready yet.  Watching the NBA All Star game, it was clear to me that Paul George was being deferential to LeBron & Durant.  At the onset of the game, it was clear that Durant and LeBron were taking the game very seriously.  LeBron was playing the passing lanes aggressively and Durant was gunning it early.

George is about where Durant was 1 or even 2 years ago mentally.  He's not yet completely confident and COMFORTABLE being as good as he is.  Just from watching his performance in this game, my expectations for the Pacers has shifted.  No longer am I looking to George to lead them past the Miami Heat and into the NBA Finals.  If the Pacers are to advance past the Miami Heat during these upcoming NBA Playoffs, it will have to be a team effort.  Don't expect George to carry the load just yet; the cookies are not done yet.

2. Durant is Coming

Remember my critique of Durant in last year's NBA All Star Game?  Well, Durant is ready now.  In an interview with TNT's Craig Sager this weekend, Durant stated "I want to play one on one with somebody out there on Sunday, for a few minutes, but we'll see how that goes."  Sager followed up by asking "Would that somebody be LeBron James?" to which Durant replied "Probably, yeah."  That skinny man is hungry! Watch out LeBron! Durant is coming for your neck!

8.5/10

3. That John Wall Dunk Was Overrated.

Not much to add to that.  It was good. Not Great, not bad, just good.

East vs West? No Thanks

4. Switch Back to the Original Dunk Contest Format Please

I was confused by the format at times.  The "ending" was even more confusing.  Have you ever seen the movie "No Country for Old Men?"  That movie seems to just end.  It's almost as if they ran out of money and had to stop filming; though some sites offer up some interesting interpretations of the final scene.  Simply put, the final 3 dunkers should have had to dunk at least one more time to determine a winner.  Strange.

Carmelo: the Only One Making Them

5. To Many 3-Point Attempts

This year's NBA All Star Game had the highest combined point total in NBA history.  This was probably due to the ridiculous amount of 3-Pointers everyone was shooting.  Stephen Curry was 2 for 11,  Durant was 6 for 17, & Carmelo was 8 for 13.  Terrible percentages for most of the All Stars in this game.  No wonder not a single shot was blocked the entire game!

6. Stephen Curry Was Nervous

Curry just was not himself.  2 for 11 from deep?  That is not the Curry I know.  He was clearly a little nervous being in his first All Star Game.  The All Star game has always favored the perimeter players, and this was Curry's time to shine.  Did I mention that he performed poorly in the 3-Point Contest as well? Maybe next year in NYC, he'll be more comfortable and put on a good show.

7. Who Was Playing Blake Griffin?

No one was.

Shaqtin a Fool

8. Dropped Rising Stars MVP Trophy?

Was the MVP trophy dropped or did it simply break on its own?  Watching it live, it looked like the guy dropped it, but in slow motion it appears as if the trophy just falls apart on its own.