Texas set to defend NBA Haier Shooting Stars title
On Saturday night at the Staples centre, Team Texas is going to attempt something that has never been accomplished in the short history of the Haier Shooting stars competition, an event that dates back to 2004. Led by the phenomenal Dirk Nowitzki, the team
from the south will be eyeing to claim the honour for the second time running.
However, the road to shooting glory will be an uphill task this time around as they will be pitched up against formidable teams from Atlanta, Los Angeles and Chicago.
The sharp shooting competition features one current NBA player, one current WNBA player and one TNT NBA analyst, who should be a former player on each team.
The Format
The main emphasis of this competition is to challenge the shooting skills of each outfit from various shooting positions. The teams will be at liberty to select a specific player rotation to follow throughout the competition. Each team has to nail the rim
from six different shooting positions of increasing difficulty. The team which makes all the shots in numeric order in the least possible time will be declared as the winner.
The shooting competition also has few intricate conditions attached. During the rounds, a second player from the same team cannot start shooting until the first player has completed his attempt. The teams have a maximum of two minutes to complete the entire
shooting course. In case of a tie after the initial round, a sudden death shoot-off will be used to determine the winner.
Team Texas
Defending champions Texas will once again be spearheaded by the sensational German juggernaut – Dirk Nowitzki.
Nowitzki, the Dallas Mavericks’ all-time leading scorer and one of only 24 NBA players to have scored at least 22,000 points, will be looking for a repeat of last year’s result. Nowitzki is one of only five greats in NBA who belong to the prestigious 50-40-90
club.
The rare honour which is awarded to players who shoot 50 percent or better from the field, 40 percent or better on three-pointers and 90 percent or better on free-throws in a single season, is a clear testament of Nowitzki’s shooting prowess.
The 2006-07 season’s MVP will be joined by TNT analyst Kenny Smith, a two-time NBA champion with the Houston Rockets (1994-95).
The only difference in the final make up of the team that pinned Team Los Angeles in the ultimate round last year comes in the form of the WNBA’s representative. This year, the WNBA spot is occupied by San Antonio Silver Stars' Roneeka Hodges who replaces
team-mate Becky Hammon.
Team Los Angeles
The home team from Los Angeles, which won the inaugural Haier Shooting Stars competition in 2004 will be led by the seven foot Spanish giant Pau Gasol. Gasol, who is one of the best post-scorer and mid-range jump shooters in the league, will be joined by
the WNBA’s all time leading scorer, Tina Thompson.
The last cog of the powerful home team will be NBA veteran and TV analyst Rick Fox, a three-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers from 2000 to 2002.
Team Atlanta
Team Atlanta will be marshalled by the Atlanta Hawks’ Al Horford. The Dominican basketball player who plays as a centre for the Hawks has also been named in this season's All-Star Game for the second time in a row.
He will be joined by Atlanta Dream’s forward Coco Miller, who propelled her franchise to the WNBA Eastern Conference championship last season. The last slot is occupied by NBA TV analyst Steve Smith, an All-Star selection in 1998 with the Hawks and a member
of the 2003 NBA championship winning San Antonio Spurs side.
Team Chicago
Team Chicago will be led by Chicago Bulls’ second year forward Taj Gibson. Gibson, who will also be representing the sophomores in the 2011 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, will be accompanied by one of the WNBA’s best long-range shooters; Chicago
Sky’s Cathrine Kraayeveld.
In addition to that, TNT NBA Analyst Steve Kerr, a five-time NBA champion with the Chicago Bulls and the San Antonio Spurs will also be joining the pack.
Tags: