EAST 88, WEST 80
CROIX SHINES IN ALL STAR FAREWELL
PHILADELPHIA -- The stage was set for Hall of Fame Philadelphia point guard Colquitt Croix and he did not disappoint. Playing before his adoring home fans in his last All Star Game, the 6-2 hoops genius led his East teammates to an 88-80 victory, their fourth consecutive All Star Game victory.
It would not, however, be an All Star Game without a key injury. With just 9 time units remaining in the entire game, Los Angeles guard Dr. Marcus Brody re-injured the same part of his index card that kept him out of six regular season and one playoff game last season. This injury will be for three games. In his stead, Philly picked up Anass Rammer from the cut pile. Ouch!
ALL STAR GAME MVP
Philadelphia favorite COLQUITT CROIX saved his seventh and final All Star Game appearance for his best performance in the spotlight game. Croix tickled the twine for a game-high 26 points on 9 of 18 shooting, bombing home 5 treys in 12 attempts and plopping in 3 of 4 from the foul stripe. Even more impressive than his scoring numbers was the game-high 7 rebounds that he corralled. He also tied for game-high in assists with 4, one short of an All Star Game triple-double. A fitting conclusion for a star playing against the best in the league.
Other 20-plus GVP performances
-- Milwaukee's third-year shooting guard Lannigan Lord Hobo scored 18 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, tied for game-high with 2 steals and dealt one assist in the win.
-- It took 8 seasons for him to get here, but Dallas forward Tiger Masterson showed he belonged with a 20-point game that included 5 rebounds and a steal.
-- In his final All Star Game, retiring Charleston forward Flip Testerton had a typical Testerton game. Although scoring just 9 points, he filled up other stat columns with 4 boards, 3 assists, a game-high 2 blocks and tied for game-high in steals with 2.
-- Second-year San Jose shooting guard Mister Methane did not have a great shooting percentage game, but still managed 16 points while getting 2 rebounds and 3 assists.
-- Seattle's third-year center Seven Castanza contributed 18 points, 4 rebounds and 1 blocked shot.
-- Six-year Sacramento forward Doo-rag Dripp banged home 16 points while pulling down 4 rebounds and tying for game-high in steals with 2.
-- Los Angeles point guard Dr. Marcus Brody came into the game in the second quarter and began matching Colquitt Croix's scoring prowess. It was Brody's shooting that got the West within 3 points of the lead halfway through the final quarter. Unfortunately, the injury that kept him out of a number of games for the Big One last year, showed up again in the waning moments of this game. Still, he ended with a team-high 20 points (including 4 treys), 1 rebound, 3 assists and 1 steal.
Following the compiling of All Star Game stats, the second half of the season will begin with bracket No. 6, which includes a pair of first-against-second place teams squaring off right out of the gate.
-- San Jose (1-4), still playing without star center Hunk R. Down, visits Oklahoma City (2-3), which looks to even its record and get back into the West playoff picture.
-- This one's huge, with unbeaten Dallas (5-0), minus injured Hall of Famer Chip Battoe, playing second-place Philadelphia (3-2) in the City of Brotherly Love.
-- Milwaukee (2-3) is hoping Dallas topples Philly, because they have an excellent chance of catching the Phobia with a victory at win-less Kansas City (0-5).
-- Charleston (2-3) can also even up its overall mark with a cross-over win at Los Angeles (1-4), whose best player, Dr. Marcus Brody, was just lost to injury.
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