10 best plays from NBA All-Star Game (VIDEOS)

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br /><div class="asset-metabar-wrap" style="clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin: 20px 0px 23px 70px;"><div class="asset-metabar" itemprop="author" itemscope="" itemtype="http://schema.org/Person" style="border-bottom-left-radius: 3px; border-bottom-right-radius: 3px; border-top-left-radius: 3px; border-top-right-radius: 3px; border: 1px solid rgb(230, 230, 230); display: table-cell; margin: 20px 0px 0px; width: 888px;"><div class="asset-metabar-ribbon asset-metabar-ribbon-sports" style="background-position: -72px -42px; float: left; min-width: 90px; width: auto; z-index: 100;"><h4 class="asset-metabar-ribbon-title asset-metabar-ribbon-title-sports" style="background-color: #eb1e00; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.4) 1px 1px 2px; color: white; font-family: 'Futura Today Bold', arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; font-weight: normal; height: 12px; line-height: 11px; margin: 2px 0px 0px -3px; padding: 6px 10px; text-transform: uppercase;"><a class="asset-metabar-ribbon-link" href="http://www.usatoday.com/blog/gameon/" style="color: white; text-decoration: none;">GAME ON!</a></h4></div><span class="asset-metabar-author asset-metabar-item" itemprop="name" style="float: left; font-size: 12px; font-weight: 700; line-height: 14px; margin: 6px 0px 5px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative;">Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports</span><span class="asset-metabar-time asset-metabar-item " style="border-left-color: rgb(225, 225, 225); border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; color: #999999; float: left; font-size: 12px; font-style: italic; line-height: 14px; margin: 6px 0px 5px; padding: 2px 10px; position: relative;">3:17a.m. EST February 18, 2013</span></div></div><div class="asset-double-wide double-wide" itemprop="articleBody" role="main" style="color: #222222; float: left; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 20px; margin-left: 10px; position: relative; width: 600px;"><div class="article-metadata-wrap" style="float: left; height: auto; margin: 0px 30px 0px 60px; position: relative;"><div class="article-metadata" style="position: relative;"></div></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Forget Saturday's slam dunk contest. The NBA All-Star Game was where the highlights lived.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Sunday's game was a showcase for dunks, passing and ball-handling, with Chris Paul and LeBron James leading the way. The <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/allstar/2013/02/17/chris-paul-kevin-durant-all-star-game/1927287/" style="color: #1990e5; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/allstar/2013/02/17/chris-paul-kevin-durant-all-star-game/1927287/">Western Conference won 143-138</a> behind Paul's 20 points, 15 assists and four steals, but both sides produced highlights.</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b>THE BIG MOMENT: </b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/02/18/kobe-bryant-lebron-james-nba-all-star-game/1927339/" style="color: #1990e5; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/2013/02/18/kobe-bryant-lebron-james-nba-all-star-game/1927339/">Kobe shuts down LeBron in fourth quarter</a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b>GAME: </b><a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/allstar/2013/02/17/chris-paul-kevin-durant-all-star-game/1927287/" style="color: #1990e5; text-decoration: none;" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nba/allstar/2013/02/17/chris-paul-kevin-durant-all-star-game/1927287/">Paul leads entertaining contest as West emerges</a></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Here are our 10 favorites:</div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b>L.A. confidence, y'all:</b></div><div style="color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b><br /></b></div></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/pTfhGMHaiTs?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe> <br /><br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;">Paul to Kobe Bryant to Blake Griffin. If you wanted a unification of the Los Angeles NBA teams, this was it. Bryant had a big passing day, finishing with eight assists. And we all knew Griffin could fly.</div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b>LeBron James will alley-oop forever:</b></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b><br /></b></div></div><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/zZvgm3ABdk0?feature=player_embedded" width="640"></iframe> <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">The man can jump. The first was better than the second, with him delivering a quick pass to Dwyane Wade who returns the favor in transition. But the second, on a lob from Carmelo Anthony, was almost as nasty. The lesson: Don't even bother defending James in a fast break. It won't work.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span><br /><div style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px;"><b>Chris Paul will embarrass you with his handles and passing:</b></div><div class="embed" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px;"><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%;" width="560"><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/EadpXkWqd3w?hl=en_US%26version=3%26rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="embed" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px;"><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%;" width="560"><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">A day after Bryant joked about playing with Chris Paul, he showed what they could do together. Well, Paul showed it. The stutter-stepping ball-handling is impressive enough, but then he finds Bryant streaking with no problem. Paul is a perfect fit for All-Star Games and had nine assists in the first half.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>Tony Parker will embarrass you with his handles, too:</b></p><div class="embed" style="max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px; "><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%; " width="560"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/NHE1KB1r0sY?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="clearfix"></div><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Oh, Chris Bosh. First, the Miami Heat star was strangely chosen to start the game in Rajon Rondo's place because it was Heat coach Erik Spoelstra's choice. Then he<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/17/chris-bosh-airball-miami-heat-nba-all-star-game/1926867/" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/17/chris-bosh-airball-miami-heat-nba-all-star-game/1926867/" style="color: rgb(25, 144, 229); text-decoration: none; ">airballed his first shot</a>. Then Paul dribbled it between his legs. Then Tony Parker later did the same, though not quite as nastily.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>Big men have handles, too:</b></p><div class="embed" style="max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px; "><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%; " width="560"><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/IR9tCLzw-hE?hl=en_US%26version=3%26rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="clearfix"></div><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">Joakim Noah likes to call himself a point-center, and he has the dribbling skills to merit that tag. Here, he crosses up Zach Randolph because Zach Randolph can't handle this. That's a 6-11 guy showing off that nasty crossover. It may not be Paul-level, but it's easier to dribble when you're only 6-0.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>Dwight Howard hit a three-pointer:</b></p><div class="embed" style="max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px; "><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%; " width="560"><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/84UIsz6Rtw4?hl=en_US%26version=3%26rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="clearfix"></div><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">There doesn't need to be much more said about this. But <a href="http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/12/01/dwight-howard-three-pointer-lakers-nuggets/1738823/" title="http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2012/12/01/dwight-howard-three-pointer-lakers-nuggets/1738823/" style="color: rgb(25, 144, 229); text-decoration: none; ">here's his last three-pointer made</a>.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>Old friends are still friends:</b></p><div class="embed" style="max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px; "><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%; " width="560"><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4X-Q1LC3MB8?version=3%26hl=en_US%26rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="clearfix"></div><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">James Harden and Russell Westbrook used to play together for the Oklahoma City Thunder. Then Harden was traded to the Houston Rockets. Now they don't play together. So they made up for lost time quickly when getting off the West bench, with Harden throwing a lob in late transition to Westbrook, who threw it down with authority.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>"That's a surprise, sneaky dunk right there":</b></p><div class="embed" style="max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px; "><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%; " width="560"><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/n8WYvjALwT8?version=3%26hl=en_US%26rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="clearfix"></div><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">We're not sure what TNT's Reggie Miller meant with that comment, but it seems to fit Jrue Holiday's slam dunk in the first half. Holiday is a surprise, sneaky player, after all, a guy not many casual fans would name as one of the NBA's best point guards but a guy who definitely belongs in the conversation.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>Kevin Durant should be in the dunk contest:</b></p><div class="embed" style="max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px; "><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%; " width="560"><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5b-lLQLPimU?version=3%26hl=en_US%26rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="clearfix"></div><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">We all know Durant is a great scorer and shooter, but don't forget about his dunking ability. Bryant found him in transition, and the results were spectacular. His reverse slam here is pretty awesome. Durant had 19 points to lead all scorers.</p><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); "><b>Maybe Tyson Chandler should be, too:</b></p><div class="embed" style="max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px; "><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%; " width="560"><embed wmode="transparent" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/3gZD2mULoMA?hl=en_US%26version=3%26rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="560" height="315" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></object></div><div class="clearfix"></div><p style="margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 60px; font-size: 14px; font-family: arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); ">We didn't expect this one. The Knicks center is known for his defense, and while he has thrown down many great alley-oops in his past, he's rarely regarded as an elite dunker. But he had to jump out the gym to catch this lob, and he threw it down with no problem. NBA players are good athletes.</p></object></div><div class="embed" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; max-width: 560px; padding: 20px 0px 0px 60px;"><object height="315" style="max-width: 100%;" width="560"><br></object></div></div>

Game (VIDEOS) NBA All-Star 10 best plays from NBA All-Star Game (VIDEOS)

GAME ON! Adi Joseph, USA TODAY Sports 3:17a.m. EST February 18, 2013 Forget Saturday's slam dunk contest. The NBA All-Star Game was wher...

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