Two icons clashed, Steve Nash notched another milestone and defenses were cut to ribbons during this week in some of the top plays in NBA action.
The week’s action started on Sunday in the NBA’s gala event, the 2013 NBA All-Star Game in Houston, where LeBron James and Kobe Bryant dueled during the game between the West All-Stars and the East All-Stars. All eyes were on James and Wade, however, after NBA legend Michael Jordan made comments that Bryant, 34, was better than reigning NBA MVP James, 28, because Bryant had more rings.
James ended up outscoring Bryant 19-9, but Bryant won the war as the West All-Stars beat the East, 143-138 for the third straight year. And Bryant even made a statement late in the fourth when he snuck in to block James to set up a slam dunk by Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant.
On Wednesday, after two straight losses to Oklahoma City, the Houston Rockets rallied behind Jeremy Lin’s 29 points and James Harden’s career-high 46 points as the Rockets came back from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to beat the Thunder in Houston, 122-119.
That same night, Lakers point guard Steve Nash passed another milestone, surpassing the great Earvin “Magic” Johnson for No. 4 on the NBA All-Time Assists List with his 10,142 assist to Antawn Jamison as the Lakers beat the Celtics 113-99 in an emotional game following the death of Jerry Buss.
And on Wednesday against Atlanta, Miami Heat superstars Dwayne Wade and James combined for 44 points, including a steal Wade picked off with 6:33 left in the second quarter that James turned into a highlight reel slam dunk as the Heat beat the Pistons 103-90.
And the Indiana Pacers continued their impressive season with all five starters in double figures, David West leading all scorers with 18 points as the Pacers walloped the Detroit Pistons 114-82 on Friday.
5. Jeremy Lin Slices Through Oklahoma City’s Defense
When Jeremy Lin gets it going, he’s one of the most exciting players in the league, and he showed that on Wednesday, to Oklahoma City’s dismay. Lin scored 29 points alongside James Harden’s career-high 46 points as the Hosuton Rockets edged the Thunder 122-119. Watch Lin slice through OKC’s tough defense in the first quarter with his explosive speed for a beautiful layup.
4. Steve Nash Passes Magic Johnson
At 38 years old, Lakers point guard Steve Nash has done virtually everything a point guard can do in the game of basketball. And on Wednesday, he moved up to another milestone as he passes Lakers legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson for No. 4 on the NBA All-Time Assists List with his 10,142 assist, a pretty feed to Antawn Jamison as the Lakers beat the Celtics 113-99.
3. Dwayne Wade Finds LeBron James off the Steal
In some ways, it’s almost unfair how good these two are, and more importantly, how well they play together.
And on Wednesday against Atlanta, Miami Heat superstars Dwayne Wade and Lebron James showed again why they are the most feared duo in the NBA. Watch this phantom-like steal that Wade picked off with 6:33 left in the second quarter, to run all the way to the end of the court, bounce off the glass and have James emphatically slam it down as the Heat beat the Pistons 103-90.
2. Paul George Stuffs Rodney Stuckey
There’s nothing quite like starting out strong, as Indiana’s Paul George could tell you. With Friday’s game against the Detroit Pistons just getting underway, George sent the Pistons an early message by leaping out of the right side in an athletic bound to emphatically swat away Detroit point guard Rodney Stuckey’s shot.
The Black Mamba Strikes Down the King
1. Kobe Bryant vs. LeBron James. Who is the better player?
According to Michael Jordan, Bryant wins that battle. And it was Jordan’s assessment of the two superstars that led to a very competitive battle between two of the game’s best and biggest stars at a good old fashioned shootout between them Sunday in Houston during the All-Star Game.
James ended up outscoring Bryant 19-9, but what everyone will remember from this battle was the signature moment late in the fourth quarter, where Bryant swatted away a jump shot attempt by James, the league’s 2011-12 MVP, which turned into a posterizing slam dunk by Kevin Durant as the West All-Stars once again beat the East, 143-138.
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