Nash Still A Fan Of Dallas

While his return to Dallas this season ended with a disappointing injury in the first quarter, Steve Nash (left) says he still considers the place he grew as a player a home away from home - over seven seasons after leaving the Mavericks via free agency. (AP Photo/Matt York)

After a great ovation from Mavericks' fans during pregame introductions, not many people in the arena expected to bust out another ovation for Suns' point guard Steve Nash in a matchup between conference rivals Friday night.

Unfortunately, and unexpectedly, the two-time MVP went down with a scary injury in the first quarter; prompting another round of cheers as Nash was able walk back to the locker room after having no feeling in his arms and legs for 10 long seconds.

Luckily, Nash told me he felt no lingering effects after the game and hopes to play early next week pending doctor's approval. Bouncing-back from injuries is nothing new for the 14-year vet, something he's proved time and time again throughout his career.

Coming into the 2010-2011 season, Nash has been the epitome of consistency and durability.

Just Chillin'

Only the best business meeting attire for Mr. LeBron James. The LeBron-a-thon is tonight 8:00 p.m, if your a fan of extreme self-indulgence. (AP Photo/The Plain Dealer, Joshua Gunter)

Best. Article. Ever.

Coming soon - Dirk, Mavs Free-Agency Options

Dwight Howard On Defense

The Orlando Magic center had some interesting thoughts on being the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, playing defense in general, and what it would mean to win the award again. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

I spoke briefly with Dwight Howard after Thursday night's game against the Dallas Mavericks and here's what he had to say.

Ex-Mav Howard Done For Season

It appears as though J-Ho isn't going to be sticking it to anymore teams this season, as he now is done for the year with a torn ACL. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Well it was a good four-game run, but it's all over for former Maverick Josh Howard this season.

Howard averaged 14.5 points (on 43 percent shooting), three rebounds and one assist for the Washington Wizards, who actually went 3-1 with Howard in the lineup.

All-Star Game Ends In Boredom

Six straight free-throws mar what was a pretty competitive contest. Dirk Nowitzki was second on the West team in scoring with 22 points. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn, Pool)

With 1:05 left in the fourth quarter and the game tied 137-137, TNT cameras panned out to show what was earlier in the night a record setting crowd at 108,713.

Unfortunately, it seems, fans at the game would rather have beaten traffic than to see who won as you could see many empty seats. It turned out to be a smart move, though, as referees decided to get involved and then Western Conference coach George Karl decided to draw-up a give-up play designed for Carmelo Anthony to end it.

Anthony led the West squad with 27 points and 10 rebounds on 13-22 shooting, but his off-balance shot from about 28-feet out was short as the buzzer sounded. Dwyane Wade, the game's MVP, led the East with 28 points and 11 assists, while Lebron James scored 25. James and Wade combined to score 12 of the East's final 19 points.

Dallas Connections

Dallas native Chris Bosh made the game-winning free throws and finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Bosh was 9-16 from the floor for the game.

Deron Williams scored 14 points, dished out six assists and had three steals for the game and got the West squad running as soon as he was put into the game. Williams did make a bone-headed play at the end of the game, intentionally fouling Dwyane Wade with 12 seconds left in a tie game. It appeared as though The Colony native forgot what the score was as you could see Nowitzki in the background screaming "NO!".

Dirk Nowitzki, the star of the show, scored 22 points on 8-15 shooting. Nowitzki had a chance to win it with seven seconds left but he couldn't get the ball in the air after being fouled by Dwight Howard behind the three-point line. The Mavs MVP scored six points in the fourth quarter, all on free throws in the last three minutes.

The dunk contest blew and the All-Star Game could have ended better, but all-in-all a great event and showcase for Cowboys Stadium.

The real thing starts Tuesday against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Caron Butler will start at shooting guard and Brendan Haywood will likely start at center as the Mavericks will show-off their recent additions for the first time.

All-Star Saturday Night Takes A Step Back

Lackluster Slam Dunk competition ruins progress of previous two years. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

As Nate Robinson and DeMar DeRozen stood awkwardly in front of an uninterested crowd at the AAC Saturday night, while the fan votes were being counted, TNT analyst Charles Barkley had the line of the night.

"Maybe none of them will win," said a dejected Barkley as the rest of the TNT crew burst into laughter.

DeMarr DeRozen, Shannon Brown, Nate Robinson and Gerald Wallace gave an uninspired and unoriginal effort in what is supposed to be a forum for creativity. It appeared as though the dunks they tried were thought-up at the last minute. From alley-oops that could be done in a game, to a reverse slam dunk; the dunk contest sucked.

DeRozen had the only quality dunks of the night, on his first two attempts, but that was it as the crowd at the AAC barely left their seats. Mid-contest, TNT began showing dejected NBA players and celebrities around the arena - the judges (Derek Haper, Ro Blackman, Spud Webb, Mark Acquire and Dominique Wilkins) looked annoyed that they had to judge this garbage.

Something has got to change. Whether it be upping the ante on prize money or requiring superstars to appear just once in the contest - the slam dunk competition is unwatchable.

Other Winners

Dirk Nowitzki and the Texas group won the Shooting Stars competition on a Nowitzki half-court shot.

Steve Nash won the Skills competition, beating three point gaurds that were all at least 11 years younger than the 36 year-old point guard. Nash brought some fun to the event, trying to block Williams' lay-up as he finished his run in the final.

Paul Pierce won the three-point competition, beating Stephen Curry and Chauncey Billups in the final. Pierce hit all five money-balls in the final round and had 20 points to Curry's 17 and Billups' 14.

All-in-all, All-Star Saturday night was a giant snooze-fest. The three-point competition was somewhat entertaining and Nash's antics at the Skills competition were humerous but other than that the entire event was a giant dissapointment.