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Results -- First round: 36, 39.
Analysis: Kudos to Drummond for the idea of involving Canadian icon Steve Nash's soccer skills for passing purposes, but the number of tries required took some of the excitement out of Drummond's eventual windmill. He also missed his first two attempts of his opening dunk before transitioning to an easier version. Drummond's performance won't change the long-standing belief that 7-footers struggle in dunk competitions.
Will Barton, Nuggets | Grade: D
Results -- First round: 44, 30.
Analysis: Barton, better known as "Thrill," started strong after coming out with "Thriller" dancers. He went between the legs and finished with a reverse for a score of 44. However, Barton couldn't put down his second dunk in three tries and finished with the lowest score in the competition.
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 2/13/2016
Outlet: ESPN.com
Author: ESPN Staff
Thompson, Timberwolves dominate All-Star Saturday
The Golden Warriors have dominated the NBA this season, while the Minnesota Timberwolves have the third-worst record in the West. But those two disparate teams dominated All-Star Saturday Night in Toronto. Here's what you need to know about the three contests...
"Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns opened the night by winning the Skills challenge. The seven-footer is the tallest winner in the event's 14-year history, eight inches taller than two-time winner Dwyane Wade and 2003 champion Jason Kidd.
"Towns continued a recent trend in Skills winners. This marked the seventh straight year that the winner has come from a Western Conference team. The most recent Eastern Conference winner was Derrick Rose in 2009.
"Klay Thompson won his first Three-Point Contest, beating Warriors teammateStephen Curry by draining all five money balls on his final rack. Curry won the three-point title last season, making he and Thompson the first pair of teammates to win the Three-Point Contest in consecutive seasons.
"Thompson had 27 points in the final round to tie the single-round record Curry set last year. The previous record of 25 was set in 1986 by Craig Hodges and tied by Jason Kapono in 2008. Keep in mind that the money-ball rack (with four additional points) was introduced in 2014.
Thompson is the sixth player to win the Three-Point Contest as a member of the team with the best record at the All-Star break. He prevented Curry from joining Larry Bird as the only reigning MVPs to win the Three-Point Contest.
"Minnesota's Zach LaVine defeated Aaron Gordon in a dunk-off to win the Slam Dunk Contest for the second straight year. LaVine is the sixth player to win multiple dunk contests and the fourth to do so in consecutive years, joiningNate Robinson (2009-10), Jason Richardson (2002-03) and Michael Jordan(1987-88).
"The only other player from the Minnesota Timberwolves to win the Slam Dunk Contest was Isaiah Rider in 1994.
"This was the first time that one team has had both the Slam Dunk Contest winner and the Skills Challenge winner (the Skills Challenge began in 2003).
"Gordon posted consecutive perfect scores in the finals to force the dunk-off. He nearly joined Dwight Howard as the only Orlando Magic players to win the Slam Dunk Contest.
Wolves Press Clippings
Date: 2/15/2016
Outlet: ESPN.com
Author: Kevin Pelton
All-Star Grades: Skills contest
The Skills Challenge is a three-round, obstacle-course competition that tests dribbling, passing, agility and 3-point shooting. Four frontcourt players join four guards in the eight-player field in a head-to-head, bracket-style tournament format.
Results: Lost to C.J. McCollum
Analysis: Clarkson delivered a reasonably solid effort in the opening round but lost to C.J. McCollum.
C.J. McCollum, Blazers | Grade: B-
Results: Beat Jordan Clarkson, lost to Isaiah Thomas
Analysis: During an opening-round win, McCollum's loose dribble saved time. No such luck in Round 2, as McCollum lost the ball while navigating the NBA logos and fell hopelessly behind Isaiah Thomas.
Isaiah Thomas, Celtics | Grade: A-
Results: Beat Emmanuel Mudiay, beat C.J. McCollum, lost to Karl-Anthony Towns
Analysis: His fellow guards were no problem for first-time All-Star Thomas, who used his quickness and accurate passing to advance to the final. Once there, Thomas let down little men everywhere by repeatedly missing 3-pointers and allowing the big men to steal the crown in the first year of a new format.
Emmanuel Mudiay, Nuggets* | Grade: D
Results: Lost to Isaiah Thomas
Analysis: Coming off an impressive performance in the Rookie Challenge, Mudiay struggled with the skills course, missing his first pass and mishandling the ball in the open court. Thomas was able to miss his first shot and still beat Mudiay.
*Replaced injured Rockets PG Patrick Beverley
Results: Lost to Karl-Anthony Towns
Analysis: Green was doing well until it came time to complete the skills course with a 3-pointer from the top of the key. He missed both attempts.
Karl-Anthony Towns, Wolves | Grade: A
Results: Beat Draymond Green, beat DeMarcus Cousins, beat Isaiah Thomas
Analysis: Score one for the big men! Towns got comfortable after enjoying additional practice with the skills course, crushing Cousins to advance to the final. There, Towns' long strides and on-target passes gave him the opportunity to knock off Thomas and prove to doubters (including teammate Ricky Rubio, according to Towns) that bigs do have skills.
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