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Posted: Saturday February 19, 2005 1:19AM; Updated: Sunday February 20, 2005 1:14AM
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All-Star Rookie Challenge Grades
SI.com's Marty Burns grades each of the players in the All-Star Rookie Challenge
The Rookies
Tony Allen, Celtics
Grade: A-
Stats: 23 min., 17 points (8-14 FG, 0-1 3PT, 1-3 FT), 1 rebs, 2 assists, 2 steal
Analysis: He scored 17 points on a variety of dunks, including one monster tomahawk job. But he might not remember any of them after being drilled in the head by a Devin Harris pass.
Luol Deng, Bulls
Grade: A-
Stats: 29 min., 17 points (7-14 FG, 1-3 3PT, 2-2 FT), 4 rebs, 5 assists, 1 steal
Analysis: Speaking of bad passes, the Sudanese native threw one into the stands that would have been too tall for countryman Manute Bol. But otherwise he was outstanding (17-4-5).
Ben Gordon, Bulls
Grade: A-
Stats: 21 min., 13 points (6-12 FG, 1-3 3PT), 7 assists, 1 steal
Analysis: Like his Chicago teammate, he dazzled throughout with 13 points and seven assists. He showed his whole repertoire, scoring on long jumpers and a few nice drives.
Devin Harris, Mavericks
Grade: C
Stats: 19 min., 0 points (0-4 FG, 0-2 3PT), 2 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals
Analysis: Helped push the tempo early for the Rookies, but failed to score (0 for 4) and finished with a game-high six turnovers to go with six assists.
Dwight Howard, Magic
Grade: B+
Stats: 19 min., 14 points (7-10 FG, 0-1 3PT, 0-2 FT), 5 rebs, 1 assist, 1 st, 3 bl
Analysis: Didn't do anything to hurt his Rookie of Year chances with 14 points, five boards and three blocks. Could have had a few more touches, but what else is new?
Andre Iguodala, 76ers
Grade: B+
Stats: 23 min., 11 points (5-7 FG, 1-2 3PT), 7 rebs, 4 assists, 2 steals, 1 block
Analysis: Scored nine of his 11 points in the first half, with a pair of high-flying dunks. But like Howard, he didn't get as many opportunities in the second half.
Al Jefferson, Celtics
Grade: A-
Stats: 21 min., 17 points (7-12 FG, 3-5 FT), 11 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 1 block
Analysis: Led all Rookies in rebounding (11) and tied for the lead in scoring (17). Fortunately for him, you can't foul out of a Rookie/Sophomore game.
Josh Smith, Hawks
Grade: B
Stats: 24 min., 12 points (4-8 FG, 4-4 FT), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Analysis: Wowed the crowd with some aerial acrobatics, but missed as many dunks as he made. And what was with those red-and-black shoes and ugly gold uniform?
Beno Udrih, Spurs
Grade: C
Stats: 21 min., 5 points (2-7 FG, 1-3 3PT), 4 assists
Analysis: Didn't shoot the ball well (2 of 7) but played a solid floor game (four assists, two turnovers). Might have been distracted by Smith's uniform.
The Sophomores
Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets
Grade: A
Stats: 25 min., 31 points (13-18 FG, 0-1 3PT, 5-5 FT), 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 st
Analysis: Scored 19 of his game-high 31 points in the second half, and rode a sentimental vote to MVP honors. Not a bad way to salvage All-Star Weekend in his city.
Chris Bosh, Raptors
Grade: A
Stats: 29 min., 26 points (9-13 FG, 8-10 FT), 14 rebs, 3 assists, 4 steals, 1 block
Analysis: Should have been MVP. Apparently his 26 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, four steals and one block were hurt by the Canadian exchange rate.
Udonis Haslem, Heat
Grade: B-
Stats: 31 min., 4 points (2-5 FG), 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal
Analysis: Typical workmanlike effort with four points, five boards and four assists. Florida alum also made Steve Spurrier proud with pretty length-of-court pass to 'Melo for dunk.
Kirk Hinrich, Bulls
Grade: C
Stats: 15 min., 0 points (0-7 FG, 0-1 3PT), 6 rebounds, 6 assists
Analysis: Captain Kirk contributed six rebounds and six assists but shot the ball like William Shatner (0 for 7). Blame it on those sprained fingers he suffered in his last Bulls game.
Josh Howard, Mavericks
Grade: C
Stats: 13 min., 7 pts (2-6 FG, 0-1 3PT, 3-4 FT), 5 rebs, 1 assists, 2 st, 1 block
Analysis: Played only 13 minutes for health reasons, but did get a nifty block on a running attempt by Mavs teammate Devin Harris.
LeBron James, Cavaliers
Grade: B+
Stats: 27 min., 20 points (9-16 FG, 1-3 3PT, 1-2 FT), 3 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 st
Analysis: Willingly ceded center stage to his pal 'Melo. But his jumper early in second half gave West the lead for good, and he rocked the rim with slams worthy of the Dunk Contest.
Kyle Korver, 76ers
Grade: A
Stats: 17 min., 21 points (7-11 FG, 7-10 3PT), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 block
Analysis: Warmed up for Saturday's 3-point shooting contest by hitting 7-of-10 from downtown, including six in a row. To cap it off, he nearly sank a 75-footer at final horn.
Luke Ridnour, SuperSonics
Grade: C
Stats: 16 min., 12 points (5-6 FG, 2-3 3PT), 2 rebounds, 3 assists
Analysis: Scored all 12 points (5 of 6) in the final nine minutes. Apparently the Starbucks at halftime worked -- either that or it took him awhile to figure out he actually belonged in the game.
Dwyane Wade, Heat
Grade: B
Stats: 27 min., 12 points (6-13 FG, 0-2 3PT), 4 rebs, 9 assists, 1 steal, 2 blocks
Analysis: Like LeBron, he seemed to be saving some of his energy for Sunday's big show. Still, he led all players in the game with nine assists to go with 12 points and four boards.
Grades: Slam Dunk Contest | 3-Pt. Shootout

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