Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum got All-Star Saturday night started with a victory in the skills contest. We’re grading every event and every player hitting the court in Charlotte.
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Skills contest
Mike Conley
Memphis Grizzlies
Guard | Grade: C+
Results
Round 1: Eliminated by Jayson Tatum
Analysis
Having successfully completed his first pass attempt, Conley had a huge lead on Jayson Tatum going into the 3-point element of the competition. Unfortunately, the 35 percent 3-point shooter missed his first two attempts, opening the door for Tatum to knock him out.
Luka Doncic
Dallas Mavericks
Forward | Grade: D
Results
Round 1: Defeated Kyle Kuzma
Round 2: Eliminated by Trae Young
Analysis
Doncic cruised through the course at half-speed and attempted to bank in 3-pointers from halfcourt to make up his huge deficits. Remarkably, this strategy worked in the opening round, as Doncic made his second 3. But he came up empty against Trae Young in the second round.
De’Aaron Fox
Sacramento Kings
Guard | Grade: B-
Results
Round 1: Eliminated by Trae Young
Analysis
In hindsight, Fox probably didn’t use his speed to build up a big enough advantage over Trae Young when Young needed all three attempts at the passing station. Fox coasted into his 3, which he missed, and that was all the opportunity Young needed.
Nikola Jokic
Denver Nuggets
Center | Grade: B
Results
Round 1: Defeated Nikola Vucevic
Round 2: Eliminated by Jayson Tatum
Analysis
Jokic’s trademark one-hand passing was hit (he confidently made his first attempt in the second round) and miss (he started 0-for-2 in the opening round). His ability to knock down 3s came in handy in the first round, when he came from behind to win a battle of Nikolas, but let him down when he missed both attempts in a loss to Jayson Tatum.
Kyle Kuzma
Los Angeles Lakers
Forward | Grade: C
Results
Round 1: Eliminated by Luka Doncic
Analysis
Kuzma had every opportunity to beat the slow-moving Doncic in the first round but was unable to do it, missing multiple 3-point attempts.
Jayson Tatum
Boston Celtics
Forward | Grade: B+
Results
Round 1: Defeated Mike Conley
Round 2: Defeated Nikola Jokic
Final: Defeated Trae Young
Analysis
Tatum’s victory mocked the “skills” element of the skills challenge, which has been reduced to a matter of who can make a 3-pointer first under the current head-to-head format. Tatum needed all three attempts at the passing drill in each of the first two rounds only to win when his opponents missed their 3-point attempts. Though Tatum’s passing was more accurate in the final, he was way behind Trae Young when he launched from beyond halfcourt, making the heave to claim the trophy.
Nikola Vucevic
Orlando Magic
Center | Grade: B-
Results
Round 1: Eliminated by Nikola Jokic
Analysis
Vucevic’s round was clean, but he missed his first shot attempt and opponent Nikola Jokic knocked his down, eliminating the Magic center and first-time All-Star.
Trae Young
Atlanta Hawks
Guard | Grade: A
Results
Round 1: Defeated De’Aaron Fox
Round 2: Defeated Luka Doncic
Final: Eliminated by Jayson Tatum
Analysis
After coming from behind in the opening round, Young took the non-shooting portion of the course most seriously — albeit with the help of a loose definition of “dribbling” the ball upcourt (he threw he ball ahead to himself before catching up). Young gave maximum effort in the final and was way ahead of Tatum only to be felled by Tatum’s make from halfcourt.
Source : ESPN
