New Orleans Arena, New Orleans -- Saturday, Feb. 17, 8 p.m. ET
Team
1st Rd (stations, seconds)
Final (stations, seconds)
Detroit
6
57.6
Chicago
6
39.6
6
53.3
Phoenix
6
50.9
San Antonio
6
41.4
6
35.8
Presentation
By Tony Mejia
What is it? Three-person teams consisting of a current player, a legend and a WNBA star perform in a shooting relay race, firing up baskets against the clock from six different locations.
The Spurs' giants, Tim Duncan and David Robinson, helped power the San Antonio team to a victory. (Getty Images)
What it is: A gimmicky way for the NBA to trot out some of its former stars, as well as promote the WNBA.
How does it work? There are six numbered shooting locations of increasing difficulty, with each team attempting to make all shots in numeric order in the fastest time. Teams select specific player rotations to follow throughout the competition. Each shot must be made before the next player begins shooting. Teams have up to two minutes to complete the entire shooting course. The team that completes all six shots in the least amount of time is the winner.
Repeat? Chauncey Billups, Swin Cash and Bill Laimbeer go for two straight, although last year's event was riddled by controversy. Someone on the Bulls squad miscalculated and went out of turn, ultimately leading to Detroit's team being declared the winner. No city has won this event twice since its inception in 2004, but Detroit, Phoenix and San Antonio all have an opportunity to do so here.
Together again, Part I: Chauncey, Swin and Laimbeer, who took a lot of slack for how portly he looked in his old jersey, form the only team that returns intact for this year's event.
Together again, Part II: David Robinson joins Tim Duncan on Team San Antonio. Think Timmy will try to talk the Admiral into suiting up for the stretch run? He's already at most Spurs games and keeps himself in excellent shape. With Phoenix landing Shaquille O'Neal and L.A. picking up Pau Gasol, the Spurs could use his size ...
Weakest link? Eddie Johnson was known for his shooting. Cappie Pondexter, two-time All-Star and defending champion with her Mercury, is the WNBA's hottest thing. That leaves Amare Stoudemire to hold up his end of the bargain if Phoenix is going to win this. Considering Dan Majerle helped deliver this title in 2005, Johnson, also a Suns color analyst these days, really wants to win this so he doesn't have to hear about it from "Thunder Dan."
Who wins? Chicago's squad would be my pick, especially since Chris Duhon, a Slidell, La., native, will get some love from the home folks -- but I can't get over Chicago trying to pull a fast one last year. Therefore, give me Phoenix's entry, so long as Stoudemire doesn't hold the team back.
How did I do with last year's pick: Took Chicago -- those cheaters.
Viewing recommendation: It's always fun to see how old heads like Chicago's B.J. Armstrong and Detroit's Laimbeer are holding up. Still, if there's something else you have to do on Saturday night, this would be the event to miss.
