Halfway through each NBA season, fans, players and coaches take a week off to celebrate and continue the tradition of bringing the best basketball players in the planet all under one roof. In anticipation for the grand stage on Sunday, Phoenix played host to a slew of warm-up events, including Geico’s All-Star H.O.R.S.E., the Playstation Skills Challenge, Haier Shooting Stars Competition, the Footlocker Three-Point Shootout and the action packed Sprite Slam-Dunk Contest. While the city began the celebration one full week in advance, the start of the televised contests began with the Celebrity All-Star Game. Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys, Desperate Housewives’ James Denton, and Rush Hour’s Chris Tucker were among the popular celebrities participating, playing alongside the Harlem Globetrotters and NBA Hall of Famer’s Clyde the Glide Drexler and Dominique Wilkins. The contest was once more played less casually than normal games, with the ref’s swallowing their whistles’ for the fan’s amusement. Kevin Durant became the first player in history to win both MVP for the Rookie-Sophomore Game, and the All Star H.O.R.S.E. Challenge. Durant started slow but heated up late in the game of HORSE as he fended off Joe Johnson and OJ Mayo with numerous tricks, including one handed shots, and a distant three pointer over thirty feet away from the scorers table. In the Playstation Skills Challenge, Rookie Derrick Rose out-passed, out-shot, and out-ran fellow players to a euphoric slam as time ended, taking home first place. Later that night was the Haier Shooting Stars Competition, where Daequan Cook of the Miami Heat took home the trophy. Back to defend the crown of Slam Dunk Champion, Dwight Howard had to come up with a different game plan this year around to once more wow the crowd and peers after last year’s extravaganza. Nate Robinson was his main competition, a 5-foot-8 stark contrast to the towering 6-foot-11 Howard. After hopping into a phone booth (yes, literally), and switching to his customary Superman cape, Howard brought out a second basketball hoop to Commissioner Stern’s surprise. The court was raised to 12-feet, where Superman himself dunked off an alley-oop with ease. Still, Robinson brought the Kryptonite, as he changed shoes and jersey to a deep green. The dunk that simply brought the house down was Robinson topping his feat last year — jumping over Howard to take the fan’s vote, and the crown. The finale for the NBA’s premier entertainment event of the year culminated with the All Star Game, featuring truly the best of the best in world play. Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Shaquille O’Neal and Yao Ming were just a few of the familiar faces present, as the East team saw newly appointed point guard of the Detroit Pistons, Allen Iverson, lead the way with his 10th All Star Selection. The night, however, belonged to the Big Diesel Shaq, as he began opening ceremonies dancing with America’s Best Dance Crew’s First Season Winner, the Jabbawockeez. Hidden behind a customary mask, it wasn’t difficult at all to spot his large figure behind his warm-up gear. After an intense first half of play that didn’t feature many alley-oops or dunks, the West opened up the final quarters in front of a sold out crowd of 16,382. The final score was 146 to 119, with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal taking home Co-MVP honors for their first time playing together since their glory years in Los Angeles. Fans were treated to the display of the best talent and athleticism on the planet, and players were more than happy to showcase their skills. The week of celebration is over in Phoenix, as the NBA resumes play ready for the next big event this June, the NBA Finals.