Kyrie Irving Invited To Compete In NBA Skills Challenge

by Conrad Kaczmarek on Feb 20, 2012 1:19 PM CST in Cleveland Cavaliers in the News

ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 21: Kyrie Irving #2 of the Cleveland Cavaliers drives against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on January 21, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

The Saturday before the all star game features all those random/cool events. You know -- the dunk contest, the 3-point shootout, and the Skills Challenge.

According to multiple reports, the NBA has extended an invitation to Kyrie Irving to participate in this year's Skills Challenge. Irving will join other elite ball-handlers, Tony Parker, Russell Westbrook, John Wall, Deron Williams, and the 2011 champ, Stephen Curry in the competition.

The contest doesn't mean a whole lot, but it's just another awesome thing that Irving gets to do in his rookie season. I know how some people feel about all star weekend, but personally, I love it. I love seeing all the players just goofing around and showing off how freakishly athletic and talented they are.

As you know, Tristan Thompson joins Irving in the Rising Stars game on Friday night. Irving will now compete in the Skills Challenge on Saturday night. Don't look now, but if Derrick Rose's injury keeps nagging him, there's a slim chance we see Irving get invited to the main event on Sunday night as well.

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

KI will probably win the most

by teamrobhogg on Feb 20, 2012 1:27 PM CST reply actions

Blake Griffin will win every dunk contest he’s in because of human bias. Same thing will happen with this no matter what Irving does if they let Jeremy Lin in.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Feb 20, 2012 1:33 PM CST reply actions

It’s like…a timed obstacle course. It’s just a time haha

FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog

by Conrad Kaczmarek on Feb 20, 2012 1:41 PM CST up reply actions

I know, but they’ll try and find a way for Lin to win if at all possible. Maybe they’’ll block one of Kyrie’s bounce passes through the hoops or something. I was mostly just trying to point out obnoxious human biases!

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Feb 20, 2012 1:43 PM CST up reply actions

In doing so, did you really point out your own human bias towards Irving and against Lin?!! /mindblown

FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog

by Conrad Kaczmarek on Feb 20, 2012 1:50 PM CST up reply actions

No, I point out my objectivity and irritation with human bias.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Feb 20, 2012 2:07 PM CST up reply actions

Regardless, I dont think the media or Lin fans will rig the stopwatch to let him win. Furthermore, there’s no way Lin would be invited to this, his handle is nowhere near that of these other guys.

FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog

by Conrad Kaczmarek on Feb 20, 2012 2:17 PM CST up reply actions

You’re very right though overall that it would be far harder to ensure a Lin victory than a Griffin one.

With or Without the H

by johnf34 on Feb 20, 2012 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

I was hoping Kyrie could play in the Allstar game

but they would more than likely let rondo in. I would love to see Kyrie in there though

by jscottgrad on Feb 20, 2012 3:50 PM CST reply actions

Well Rondo just got suspended two games…would they really reward him with an all star spot?

FearTheSword, SBNation's Cleveland Cavaliers blog

by Conrad Kaczmarek on Feb 20, 2012 5:00 PM CST up reply actions

Stern would probably nix that one.

Rondo is looking and feeling a bit frustrated lately, and getting pounded into the ground, while someone jumps on your back, in full view of the ref, without a call, added just a bit more to that frustration. I can imagine what he said to the ref, in order to get the suspension, since the ball toss wasn’t very hard at all.

Lygafe

Lionel Gaffen / Fotomix | International Hockey Forums > Europe > ISRAEL
Israel Recreational Hockey Association 2009-2010 & 2010-2011 [ Lygafe ] | Israel Ice Skating Federation - From the Media [ Lionel Gaffen ]

by lygafe on Feb 21, 2012 10:22 AM CST reply actions