NBA Review: All-Star Friday

All-Star Friday was a big treat for NBA fans across the globe. This edition of the All-Star Break featured some tweaks to the rules.

Sprint All-Star Celebrity Game| EAST def. WEST 60-56

Nobody actually knew US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan had mad ballin' skills.

Until last Friday.

Duncan led the East to a 60-56 win with a record 20 points, while grabbing 11 rebounds and 6 assists, the last of which was a beautiful behind-the-head pass to a cutting Skylar Diggins of the WNBA.

A few possessions later, it was Diggins' turn to dish out the ball. She found Romeo Miller (musician/actor) for a wide-open triple that put the game away for the East.

Over-dribbler Kevin Hart (comedian) was voted MVP by the fans, but he humbly gave the award to the true MVP, Arne Duncan of the US Department of Education.

BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge | HILL def. WEBB 142-136

This might be the most thrilling Rising Stars Challenge in history.

While double-double machine Andre Drummond (DET) earned MVP Honors with 30 points and a Rising Stars record-high 25 boards for Team Hill, the game will be most remembered for the duel between Team Hill's Dion Waiters (CLE) and Team Webber's Tim Hardaway Jr. (NYK).

During a three-minute shootout, Waiters and Hardaway Jr. exchanged threes after threes like two boxers. Hardaway Jr. opened it up to put Team Webber ahead 101-99 and ended with a 114-112 count in favor of Team Hill via two freethrows by Waiters.

Hardaway Jr., who finished with a game-high 34 points, hit two more triples, but Waiters, who had 31 markers and 7 assists, had the last laugh, scoring eight consecutive points.

2013 1st overall pick Anthony Davis (NOP) of Team Webber also had a shining moment during the first half. After blocking a Jonas Valanciunas (TOR) hook shot, he sprinted to their side of the court, leaving Valanciunas on his heels. He then completes a dunk of a Victor Oladipo (ORL) lob.

Highlights of the game can be seen here.