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Wade wins skills shallenge over LeBron
(AP)
Updated: 2006-02-20 08:43
HOUSTON - Dwyane Wade defied the notion that practice makes perfect in the
Skills Challenge during the NBA's All-Star weekend. The Miami Heat star edged
LeBron James and dethroned Steve Nash on Saturday by deftly negotiating a
basketball obstacle course — without preparing for the competition at all.
Miami Heat guard
Dwyane Wade waves after being presented the trophy for winnng the NBA
All-Star basketball Skills Challenge in Houston, Saturday, Feb 18, 2006.
[Reuters] | "I decided to wing it," said Wade, who
will play in his second All-Star Game on Sunday. "That's the kind of player I
am, just come out and wing it, so it worked again."
With Miami teammate Shaquille O'Neal cheering him on, Wade finished in 26.1
seconds, narrowly missing Nash's record 25.8 seconds from last year.
Wade was flawless in his winning trip, hitting three passing targets and a
top-of-the-key jumper, all on his first attempts. O'Neal glanced at the clock
and cheered after Wade sank the long jumper in front of him.
"I hit that jump shot and I kind of knew from there that I was going to be
holding that trophy up," Wade said.
James ran through the course in 33.7 seconds, capping it with a strong
one-handed dunk. The Cleveland standout missed a round target with three chest
passes, though, and the mistakes cost him a chance to beat Wade.
Nash was back this year to defend his title, but the Phoenix guard missed
five straight shots from the top of the key and finished the course in 52.8
seconds.
"I can't explain that," Nash said. "I'm not disappointed. I'm really just a
little embarrassed."
New Orleans rookie Chris Paul struggled with an outlet pass target and
finished third in 42.6 seconds.
Earlier Saturday, Tony Parker, Steve Kerr and San Antonio Star Kendra Wecker
won the Shooting Stars competition in record time, hitting six shots from
various spots in 25.1 seconds.
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