HOUSTON – The San Antonio Spurs were well represented on All-Star Saturday Night with Tony Parker attempting to defend his 2012 Taco Bell Skills Challenge title and Matt Bonner making his first appearance in the 2013 Foot Locker Three-Point Contest.
Tony Parker: 2013 Taco Bell Skills Challenge
Up first on the night was Parker going head-to-head against Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia), Brandon Knight (Detroit), Jeff Teague (Atlanta) of the Eastern Conference with Damian Lillard (Portland) and Jeremy Lin (Houston) of the Western Conference teaming up with Parker in a East vs. West Skills Challenge.
Parker went last for Team West and got off to a fast start, however, he struggled at making the top-of-the key shot (missing five in a row befoe hitting the shot) which all but doomed any chance he had at defending his title. Blazers' Damian Lillard would go on to represent the West in the Skills Challenge Finals versus Jrue Holiday and walk away with the title.
Parker finished the obstacle course in 48.7 seconds.
Matt Bonner: 2013 Foot Locker Three-Point Contest
Wrapping up the night for the Spurs was Bonner participating in the Three-Point Contest where the "Red Rocket" got to display his deft long-range shooting touch.
Bonner went last for the West after Stephen Curry and Ryan Anderson for Team West and came out firing. He finished the first round with 19 points to qualify for the Finals against East player Kyrie Irving.
Bonner shot 5-5 from the first rack, 3-5 from the second rack, 4-5 from top of the key, 3-5 from the fourth rack, and 1-5 on the final rack in his first round.
Irving went first and shot lights out hitting 24 shots. Bonner started off slow in the first rack but started to get his groove at the top of the key. However, he came up just three shots short finishing with 20 points in the Finals.
Bonner finished 2-5 from the first rack, 4-5 from the second rack, 4-5 from the third rack, 2-5 from the fourth rack, and 4-5 from the final rack in the Finals.
Overall, both Parker and Bonner represented the Spurs and the City of San Antonio well. Congratulations to them both. Hopefully next year both Parker and Bonner will be invited back where they can try again and shine like they did tonight.