Sports Notes - NBA All-Star Game West's Goliath's Win - Yao Ming - Janet Jackson - FIFA TOP 10

Yao Ming the NBA's tallest player & NBA All-Star

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Monday February 16, 2004 - Update: Wednesday February 18, 2004

NBA All-Star Game Goliath's slay David - NBA Rookie Challenge - Yao Ming bust's out all over - FIFA TOP 10 - Janet Jackson - Amare Stoudemire & Shaq MVP's - Beyonce Knowles - Cambodian Football

NBA All-STAR'S WEST GOLIATH'S EDGE EAST'S LITTLE PEOPLE

Question: When would think that you could call a person 6-11 little?

Answer: At this year's NBA All-Star Game played at the Staples Center in Los Angeles California, USA. It was a game that matched the big people against the little people. The East was without any seven-foot players the West had five.

Result…. West's Goliath's 136 - East's Little People 132.

It went down to the last 26 seconds when Tim Duncan scored on a turnaround jump shot that banked off the glass for a 133-132 West lead they never lost.

The East led by three points at the half. Their biggest players Jermaine O'Neal and Jamaal Magloire at 6-11 had to muscle up against a squad with those five seven feet plus players.

There is an argument for six seven foot players on the West. Kevin Garnett admits to being 6-11. Many feel he is seven feet. Tim Duncan, Brad Miller and Dirk Nowitzki are seven feet. Shaquille O'Neal stacks up at 7-1 and Yao Ming towers at 7-6.

O'Neal won his second All-Star MVP award after registering a 24 point, 11 rebound performance. He shared the award with Duncan in the 2000 game.

The "Big Shaq' 340 pounder (with cheese) came off the bench as a substitute for starter Yao Ming. Ming was voted to start the game by the fan voting

Ming also started for the Sophomores in the Rookie Game held two days earlier won by the Sophs 142-118. Ming was the only player to start and be on a winning side in both games. He was one of a record tying six foreign players to participate in one All-Star Game. The record was set last year.

In the Rookie Game Ming played 15 minutes of the 40-minute contest scoring six points while grabbing five rebounds and dishing out two assists. In the All-Star contest he played 18 minutes of a 48-minute game, tallied 16 points, snatched four rebounds and handed out one assist.

The All-Star game's international players included: Ming (China) and Tim Duncan (Virgin Islands) Andrei Kirilenko (Russia), Jamaal Magloire (Canada), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) and Peja Stojakovic (Serbia-Montenegro)

(Roster below)

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Who holds the record for most NBA All-Star game appearances?

FIFA TOP TEN

Rank/Team/Points/Previous Rank/Change

1. Brazil - 846 - 1 - 0

2. France - 828 - 2 - 0

3. Spain - 795 - 3 - 0

4. Netherlands - 749 - 4 - 0

5. Mexico - 742 - 7 + 2

6. Argentina - 741 - 5 - 1

7. England - 740 - 8 + 1

8. Czech Republic - 739 - 6 - 2

9. Turkey - 737 - 8 - 1

10. Italy 731 - 10 - 0

NBA ALL-STAR ROOKIE GAME SOPHS SLAM 142-118

Last year' s NBA Rookie of the Year Amaré Stoudemire was elected Rookie Challenge game MVP after scoring a record with 36 (17-23) points and snatching 11 rebounds to lead the Sophomores to a 142-118 victory over the Rookies.

The two team's scoring total of 260 points was also a Rookie Challenge record.

The contest was a no defense affair with both teams running up and down the court climaxing with thunder dunks. In many cases the opposition would make like matador and waive an attacking player through for a show time slam dunk.

If it was a tough defensive game you were looking for this wasn't it. This was Showtime entertainment.

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony made a splashy showing to led the Rookies.

On numerous occasions Anthony set up his 6-8, 258 pound friend with skillful passes leading to towering dunks.

James finished with 33 points making 15-25 shot attempts. He really showed what a stud he is at only 19-years of age and growing.

SHAQ, MILLER FORGIVE & FORGET?

It was amusing to watch the chemistry between Shaquille O'Neal and West teammate Brad Miller. It was just a two yeas ago when Shaq attacked Miller in a game when Miller was playing with the Chicago Bulls.

Former NBA All-Star Charles Barkley worked the All-Star weekend as a television analyst. He and Shaq also got into a rolling on the floor brawl when Barkley played for the Houston Rockets. As the music group Black Eyed Peas sang 'Where Is The Love?'

INTERNATIONAL ROOKIE GAME PLAYERS

Other than Yao Ming three international players participated in the Rookie Game. Emanuel Ginobili (Argentina), Marko Jaric (Serbia-Montenegro) and Nenę (Brazil).

The rookie game squads had nine players per team. Nine of 43 players selected for the Rookie Challenge and All-Star games are international/foreign players.

(Rosters Below)

HIGH SCHOOLERS ROCK

Between the two games six high school players participated. The All-Star game had Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett for the West and Jermaine O'Neal, Tracy McGrady for the West.

The Rookie Game featured James and Stoudemier. Carmelo Anthony entered the NBA after spending only one year in college.

AMUSING SITE - YAO TOWERS

Interesting site seeing 7-6 Yao Ming towering over 7-0 Shaquille O'Neal and former NBA All-Star great 7-2 Kareem Abdul Jabbar.

Jabbar was the Sophomore team assistant coach to former Lakers teammate Michael Cooper.

During the 1970-80's Jabbar was a member of six NBA championship teams, five with the Lakers and one with the Milwaukee Bucks, the team that signed him to an NBA contract out of UCLA.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Karl Malone's daughter and WNBA (Detroit Shock) player Cheryl Ford participated in the Shooting Stars event. She played for the Detroit entry that competed against the Lakers, Clippers and the San Antonio Spurs.

Each team had three members. Teams consisted of a current player in the league, a retired and a female player.

Teams rotated around three positions on the court where they had to make a shot. After the shots were made they proceeded to try and make a half court shot. Only one of a team's players had to make the half court shot. Winners were based on completed shots against time.

The Lakers won with a team of Magic Johnson, Derek Fisher and Lisa Leslie of the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA. They edged out the Spurs team Emanuel Ginobili, Steve Kerr (recently retired) and Jennifer Azzi.

LIFE AFTER JANET JACKSON

It seems the Janet Jackson breast affair at the Super Bowl is wearing on the sports powers that be.

TNT the network that televised the NBA All-Star Game entertainment segments used a even-second delay in televising the event.

Jackson was in attendance but did not perform.

Christina Aguilera performed the national anthem. Aguilera is also known to be one to show her body off. Odd enough she has recorded a song titled 'Dirty" and the album 'Stripped.

The events entertainment also included the Beach Boys who were most popular in the 1960's and Michael McDonald who was most popular in the 70's.

That's about as safe as you can get to devoid yourself from perceived vulgarity.

Beyonce Knowles filled the gap for the dearth of contemporary artists. A heavy dose of Earth Wind & Fire music was played during breaks of the game.

CAMBODIAN FOOTBALL

Cambodia's Premiere League will begin March 6th. Player/coach Hok Sochetra's Samart team is the defending champion.

TRIVIA ANSWER:

Kareem Abdul Jabbar holds the NBA record for most NBA All-Star game appearances with 18.

EASTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS Head coach: Rick Carlisle (Indiana)

Bold - foreign player - high school to NBA *denotes starter

Player - Team - Pos. - Ht. - Wt. - All-Star selections

Ron Artest Indiana F 6-7 246 1

*Vince Carter Toronto F 6-6 225 5

Baron Davis New Orleans G 6-3 223 2

*Allen Iverson Philadelphia G 6-0 165 5

Jason Kidd New Jersey G 6-4 212 7

Jamaal Magloire New Orleans C 6-11 259 1

Kenyon Martin New Jersey F 6-9 234 1

*Tracy McGrady Orlando G/F 6-8 210 4

*Jermaine O'Neal Indiana C/F 6-11 242 3

Paul Pierce Boston G/F 6-6 230 3

Michael Redd Milwaukee G 6-6 215 1

*Ben Wallace Detroit C 6-9 240 2

WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STARS Head coach: Flip Saunders (Minnesota)

Bold - foreign player - high school to NBA *denotes starter -

Player - Team - Pos. - Ht. - Wt. - All-Star selections

Ray Allen Seattle G 6-5 205 4

*Kobe Bryant L.A. Lakers G 6-6 220 6

Sam Cassell Minnesota G 6-3 185 1

*Tim Duncan San Antonio F 7-0 260 6

*Steve Francis Houston G 6-3 200 3

*Kevin Garnett Minnesota F 6-11 240 7

Andrei Kirilenko Utah F 6-9 225 1

Brad Miller Sacramento C 7-0 261 2

Dirk Nowitzki Dallas F/C 7-0 245 3

Shaquille O'Neal L.A. Lakers C 7-1 340 11

Peja Stojakovic Sacramento F 6-10 229 3

*Yao Ming Houston C 7-6 310 2

ROOKIE ROSTER

Bold - foreign player - high school to NBA

Player - Team - Pos. - Ht. - Wt. - From

Carmelo Anthony Denver F 6-8 230 Syracuse

Chris Bosh Toronto F 6-10 225 Georgia Tech

Udonis Haslem Miami F 6-8 230 Florida

LeBron James Cleveland G 6-8 258 St. Vincent-St. Mary HS

Jarvis Hayes Washington G-F 6-7 220 Georgia

Kirk Hinrich Chicago G 6-3 186 Kansas

Josh Howard Dallas F 6-5 210 Wake Forest

Chris Kaman L.A. Clippers C 7-0 268 Central Michigan

Dwyane Wade Miami G 6-4 212 Marquette

SOPHOMORE ROSTER

Bold - foreign player - high school to NBA

Player - Team - Pos - Ht. - Wt. - From

Carlos Boozer Cleveland F 6-8 258 Duke

Mike Dunleavy Golden State F 6-8 230 Duke

Emanuel Ginobili San Antonio F 6-6 210 Argentina

Marko Jaric L.A. Clippers G 6-7 217 Serbia-Montenegro

Ronald Murray Seattle G 6-3 197 Shaw

Nenę Denver F 6-11 260 Brazil

Tayshaun Prince Detroit F 6-9 215 Kentucky

Amaré Stoudemire Phoenix F 6-10 245 Cypress Creek HS

Yao Ming Houston C 7-5 296 China

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