West wins All Star Game again...Talisker repeats as Game MVP

West 84, East 73

SAN JOSE -- Smokey Talisker became just the third player in MBA history to win All Star Game MVP honors in back-to-back seasons as he led the West stars to their seventh win in the last 10 games. The 6-9 forward from Seattle registered a triple-double in the victory, scoring 16, grabbing 5 rebounds and registering 5 assists. He also added 3 blocked shots.

He joins Cappy Gambol and Uncle Bob Masterson as the only players to win back to back MVP awards in the star contest.

Second-year forward Art Vandelay from Milwaukee led everyone in scoring with 21 but could not stop Talisker from tearing it up.

The East still leads the series 22-13.

Next Up: Chicago (5-0) at Philadelphia (3-2).

Halfway Home Season 35...Standings...Leaders...All Stars...Retirements

STANDINGS
Two unbeaten teams...one in each division...both belonging to Dave. Can this really be? Stay tuned for second half.



LEADERS
Chicago's Didger A'doo going for second scoring championship. Gale front-liners one-two in rebounding.



ALL STARS A VETERAN BUNCH
--Gato Do Mato of San Jose becomes 37th member of MBA Hall of Fame with election to all star game. He enters the Hall as the 12th forward and 9th most decorated forward in history.
--Hrudi V. Bakshi and Do Mato each make their 6th all star team...only the 24th and 25th to do so in history.
--Bakshi of Houston now has 18 awards on his card, making him tied with Mamadou Zongo and Boone Doggle for 5th most honored player of all time; also tied with Zongo for third best guard ever behind Uncle Bob Masterson and Cappy Gambol.
--Four first-time all stars
--Just one rookie makes teams.
--Heater Van Meter of Milwaukee is oldest all star.



RETIREMENTS
--20 players retiring after this season --- eight are currently starters
--Hardest hit...Houston with both starting forwards retiring and Sacramento with starting guard and starting center.
--Most decorated retiree...Achilles Heel of Oklahoma City...6 all star appearances and a rookie of the year award
--Yes...longtime cut pile center Pug Mahone, who has been around since Season 9, dodges retirement once again.