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Posted: Monday February 15, 2010 1:32AM; Updated: Thursday February 18, 2010 4:58PM
Frank Hughes
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2010 All-Star Player Grades
Western Conference
 
B
Steve Nash, G
20 min., 4 points (2-4 FG,) 13 assists
From the very beginning, Nash seemed intent on distributing more than scoring, even when he had some open shots. He is so good at that part of the game, though, that it did not affect the flow of the game and set up his teammates for some easy baskets, particularly Dirk Nowitzki, his former Dallas teammate. Nash ended up with 13 assists in 19 minutes, happy to be the facilitator.
A
Carmelo Anthony, F
29 min., 27 points (13-22 FG, 1-4 3PT), 10 rebounds, 2 assists
Other than missing the last shot of the game, which would have been a game-winner, Anthony did very little wrong. Had the West won, he would have captured the MVP award, particularly if he had made the game-winner. Anthony also had 10 rebounds, his inside and outside strengths on display.
B
Amar'e Stoudemire, C
20 min., 12 points (5-10 FG), 10 rebounds
If he is indeed traded to Cleveland, he is likely to be donning an East uni for the foreseeable future. Four days to go.
A
Dirk Nowitzki, F
28 min., 22 points (8-15 FG, 6-6 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists
The unofficial sponsor of the game, not only did he address the crowd before the game, thanking them for attending, he also had 22 points and four rebounds. He hit the free throws that tied the game at 139, though he said he should have taken a 3 when he had Dwight Howard in the air. He also was an option on the final shot that ended up going to Anthony.
C
Tim Duncan, F
13 min., 3 points (1-4 FG, 1-2 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 steals
Like Kevin Garnett, The Big Fundamental played limited minutes in a game that neither appreciates nor adheres to fundamentals. Plus, he's been in so many All-Star games and is trying his hardest to preserve his body that he did not need to exert much effort in this game.
F
Jason Kidd, G
6 min., 0 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal
Kidd probably should have just taken the vacation he was planning instead of coming in as an injury replacement. He was abused by LeBron James a few times, to the point that James was calling for the ball in the post when Kidd was guarding him. Kidd played only six minutes and did not do a great deal in the little time he was on the court.
A
Deron Williams, G
28 min., 14 points (6-11 FG, 2-4 3PT), 3 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals, 1 block, 5 TOs
Williams was exceptional, throwing down several powerful dunks, shooting six for 11 from the field and setting up teammates for six baskets. He is not flashy but very skilled and was a big reason the West was able to mount a comeback.
A
Chauncey Billups, G
26 min., 17 points (6-11 FG, 5-8 3PT), 5 assists, 1 steal
Playing alongside teammate Carmelo Anthony and for his own coaching staff, Billups does what he normally does: run the team to perfection and make big shots when they were needed. Five 3-pointers, five assists and 17 points. He is nails.
B+
Pau Gasol, C
20 min., 13 points (5-9 FG, 3-3 FT), 6 rebounds, 1 steal
The only player representing the defending champions because of Kobe Bryant's injury, Gasol seemed to be having a good time during the game. He was fed on several blasts down the middle for dunks, plus he fought hard around the basket.
D
Chris Kaman, C
11 min., 4 points (2-4 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist
A late addition to the lineup as an injury replacement, Kaman had very little effect on the game other than to take up space while his teammates zipped around him.
B
Kevin Durant, F
20 min., 14 points (4-14 FG, 1-3 3PT), 5 rebounds
The University of Texas product was a fan favorite, and his name has been mentioned all weekend as the fastest rising star on the planet. But his outside shot was off the entire night. Running the floor and getting high-quality dunks saved his shooting percentage.
C-
Zach Randolph, F
19 min., 8 points (4-10 FG), 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Randolph had two point-blank shots that rolled around the outside of the rim and out and another that banged off the front of the rim, leaving him with a shooting percentage of 40. Randolph is better suited for the regular season, where actual plays are run, rather than the up-and-down pace of an All-Star game. He did have six rebounds.
 
Eastern Conference
 
A+
Dwyane Wade, G
31 min., 28 points (12-16 FG, 0-1 3PT, 4-6 FT), 6 rebounds, 11 assists, 5 steals
Four rebounds shy of a triple-double, Wade was clearly the best player on the floor. He said he was more aggressive than he has ever been in an All-Star game. Not only that, he had a critical strip of Deron Williams late in the game, which helped him win the MVP award.
B
Joe Johnson, G
18 min., 10 points (4-8 FG, 2-5 3PT), 1 rebound, 1 assist, 2 steals
Like his overall game, Johnson's night was understated. He had a couple 3-pointers and totaled 10 points in 17 minutes, but among this many stars, Johnson is not that noticeable.
B+
Dwight Howard, C
27 min., 17 points (7-10 FG, 1-2 3PT, 2-3 FT), 5 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 blocks
The fun-loving youngster seemed to be enjoying himself as he went for 17 points and five rebounds. He also had three blocks -- though he made a silly foul on Dirk Nowitzki late in the game, something that has plagued him throughout the regular season.
A
LeBron James, F
32 min., 25 points (10-22 FG, 1-6 3PT, 4-4 FT), 5 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals
The King had several dunks that would have won Saturday's dunk contest. He also was kind enough to feed Wade on several alley oops that helped Wade win the MVP. His numbers were very regular season-like, an all-around contribution of 25 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals.
C-
Kevin Garnett, F
13 min., 4 points (2-4 FG), 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block
Garnett played only 13 minutes and spent the remainder of the time bantering across the court with Shaquille O'Neal.
B
Derrick Rose, G
15 min., 8 points (4-8 FG), 4 assists, 3 steals
In 15 minutes, Rose had eight points, four assists and three steals. Imagine what he could have done had he been given extended minutes. That is likely to happen as his career broadens.
C
Rajon Rondo, G
20 min., 4 points (2-3 FG), 1 rebound, 5 assists, 1 steal
In almost 20 minutes, Rondo recorded five assists but beyond that had little impact. He may have posted better numbers had his Celtics teammates had more time with him on the floor.
A
Chris Bosh, F
29 min., 23 points (9-16 FG, 5-7 FT), 10 rebounds, 1 assists, 2 steals
Bosh got off to a slow start, but by the end he was one of three East players to exceed 20 points, taking the minutes Garnett left on the court. Plus, Bosh hit the game-winning free throws, and had double-digit rebounds. His only real negative was three turnovers, but the guy definitely acquitted himself well on a huge stage.
C
Paul Pierce, F
12 min., 8 points (3-6 FG, 2-3 3PT), 1 steal
As impressive as he was in the 3-point shooting contest on Saturday night, Pierce was that ordinary on Sunday. He did hit two 3s to continue his hot shooting from that distance, but beyond that he had little impact.
D
Gerald Wallace, F
16 min., 2 points (1-3 FG), 3 rebounds, 1 assist
In a game in which his team shot nearly 60 percent, Wallace was one of the few players on the court who did not make at least half his shots. A great deal of Wallace's regular-season effectiveness comes from hustle while rebounding. But there are not a great deal of rebounds in a high-scoring game like this, rendering him ineffective.
B
Al Horford, C
14 min., 8 points (4-5 FG, 0-1 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, 1 block
In limited time, Horford made his presence felt even though he possesses more of a complementary game. He hit four of his five attempts and grabbed four rebounds as well.
D
David Lee, C
12 min., 4 points (2-3 FG), 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 TOs
Lee had a difficult time getting going with a few of his initial moves turning into turnovers -- he had three -- or just plain muffs. He did end up making two of three baskets, but he did not look comfortable.
 

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