Starters for the game were selected by the fans, who could select three frontcourt players and two guards from each conference. Previously, fans selected two forwards and one center instead of generic frontcourt players.[3]Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers received the most overall votes at 1,591,437.
Starting this season, NBA All-Star Saturday Night events became contests between the Eastern and Western Conferences.
All-Star Game
Spectators make their way into Toyota Center through the LaBranch street entrance prior to tip-off of the 62nd NBA All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013.The inside of the Toyota Center hours prior to tip-off of the 62nd NBA All-Star game on Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013. The arena crew make the last preparations as spectators start to fill the arena.
The coaches for the All-Star game were the head coaches who led the teams with the best winning percentages in their conference through the games of February 3, 2013.[4]Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs clinched the West position after a win on January 30. Erik Spoelstra of the Miami Heat clinched the East position after a win over the Toronto Raptors on February 3, 2013.[5] The head coaches from the previous year, Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks, were not eligible for selection.
Players
The rosters for the All-Star Game were chosen in two ways. The starters were chosen via a fan ballot. Two guards and three frontcourt players who received the highest vote were named the All-Star starters. NBA head coaches voted for the reserves for their respective conferences, none of which could be players on their own team. Each coach selected two guards, three frontcourt players and two wild cards, with each selected player ranked in order of preference within each category. If a multi-position player was to be selected, coaches were encouraged to vote for the player at the position that was "most advantageous for the All-Star team," regardless of where the player was listed on the All-Star ballot or the position he was listed in box scores.[6] If a player is unable to participate due to injury, the commissioner will select a replacement.
^INJ Did not participate due to injury.[10] ^REP Brook Lopez was named Rajon Rondo's replacement by NBA commissioner David Stern.[11] ^1Erik Spoelstra chose Chris Bosh to start in place of the injured Rajon Rondo[12]
The West led at the end of each quarter and won 143–138 behind Chris Paul, who won MVP honors scoring 20 points, handing out 15 assists and grabbing 4 steals. The West never led by more than eight points through the first three quarters, but they pushed the lead to double figures early in the fourth. Kobe Bryant blocked two shots by LeBron James late in the game, part of a late run to secure the game for the West. Kevin Durant led all scorers with 30 points and became the first player in NBA history to score 30+ points in three consecutive All-Star games, while Bryant had nine points and eight assists. Carmelo Anthony led the East with 26 points and 12 rebounds. James, who shot well during the latter part of the season's first half, shot only 7-for-18 while scoring 19 points.[13]
2013 Slam Dunk Contest increased from four players to six, with three players representing each conference into East and West.
The allowable dunk time was shortened from 2:00 to 1:30, but if the player had not finished a dunk within 1:30, he would be given one final attempt.
In Team Round (or First Round), each competitor completed two dunks which were scored on a scale of 6 to 10 by a panel of 5 judges. The Championship Round (or Final Round) was a fan voting poll to decide a winner.
Starting in 2013, the Western Conference and the Eastern Conference will compete to see who gets the most points. This score will only be applied to All-Star Saturday Night competitions.[15]
Final Score:
Eastern: 125
Western: 140
Structure:
Team Round = First Round, Championship Round = Final Round.
Each competition will have two rounds.
TEAM ROUND—All competitors within each conference will have their scores added together to get a TOTAL time/score.
Points will be awarded to the conference that wins the Team Round (best TOTAL time/score)
The highest scoring (or fastest timing) competitor from each conference will advance to the Championship Round.
CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND—A head-to-head competition between the highest scoring West and highest scoring East competitor from the Team Round, to decide each competition champion.
Points will be awarded to the conference whose competitor wins the Championship Round.
The conference with the most points at the end of the night will be crowned State Farm All-Star Saturday Night Champions.
Event Scoring:
Sears Shooting Stars:
TEAM Round—20 POINTS awarded to the conference with the fastest TOTAL time.
CHAMPIONSHIP Round—10 POINTS awarded to the conference of the champion.
Taco Bell Skills Challenge:
TEAM Round—30 POINTS awarded to the conference with the fastest TOTAL time.
CHAMPIONSHIP Round—10 POINTS awarded to the conference of the champion.
Foot Locker Three-Point Contest:
TEAM Round—40 POINTS awarded to the conference with the highest TOTAL score.
CHAMPIONSHIP Round—10 POINTS awarded to the conference of the champion.
Sprite Slam Dunk:
TEAM Round—50 POINTS awarded to the conference with the highest TOTAL score.
CHAMPIONSHIP Round—55 POINTS awarded to the conference of the champion.
In addition, each time a player scores a perfect 50 for a dunk during the TEAM Round, his conference will have 10 BONUS POINTS added to its overall All-Star Saturday Night score.
^Beck, Howard (October 24, 2012). "The All-Star Center is Officially Extinct". New York Times. Retrieved October 24, 2012. The N.B.A., bowing to new realities in a multi-positional era, has eliminated "center" from its All-Star ballots for the 2012-13 season. Instead, fans will vote for three frontcourt players and two guards.
