Michael Jordan edging out Dominique Wilkins in the dunk contest. Larry Bird making a mockery of the three-point shootout. Vince Carter defying gravity. They're some of the most memorable moments in All-Star game history -- and they all took place on Saturday, the less formal, more fun party before Sunday's All-Star showcase.
2015 NBA All-Star Weekend schedule for Saturday: How to watch everything
All-Star Saturday is one of the best days on the NBA calendar, here’s how to watch.
Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
All-Star Saturday in 2015 should be no different. With one of the best three-point shooting fields in contest history and a dunk contest with a guy nicknamed the Greek Freak, Saturday has the makings of can’t-miss TV.
Here’s how and when to watch everything that’s happening (all times ET):
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.: All-Star Game practice (NBA TV)
Not much to see here aside from some of the best basketball players in the world going through drills, hitting deep shots and perhaps throwing down some dunk-contest-worthy slams. We’re talking about practice...
7 - 8 p.m.: Commissioner Adam Silver press conference (NBA TV)
In his version of the NBA’s state of the union address, Silver will get his time to say what he wants about the league. This could be a bore, but Silver isn’t one to shy away from touchy subjects. There could be more discussion about changing NBA rules to counter the conference imbalance plaguing the playoff picture.
Silver's Press Conference
8 - 8:30 p.m.: TNT NBA Tip-Off (preview show) (TNT)
Tune in to see the TNT squad get excited for All-Star Saturday just like the rest of the NBA fan base. The relaxed atmosphere of the night should seep over into the TV booth. Shaquille O’Neal will surely do something outlandish.
SB Nation presents: Three ways to fix the Slam Dunk Contest
8:30 - 11p.m.: NBA All-Star Saturday Night (TNT)
Saturday’s main course is on Saturday are the four events featured culminates with the three-point shooting contest and then dunk contest.
Shooting Stars. Teams will shoot from "four numbered locations of increasing distance, with each team attempting to make all shots in numeric order in the fastest time," according to NBA.com. Each team consists of a current NBA player, a former star, and a WNBA player. Chris Bosh's team is going for a three peat. Here's the roster of each squad:
Team Bosh: Chris Bosh, Dominique Wilkins and Swin Cash of the New York Liberty.
Team Curry: Stephen Curry, his father Dell Curry, and Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm.
Team Davis: Anthony Davis, Scottie Pippen and Elena Delle Donne of the Chicago Sky.
Team Westbrook: Russell Westbrook, Anfernee "Penny" Hardaway and Tamika Catchings of the Indiana Fever.
Shooting Stars Competition
Skills Challenge. Also known as the point-guard obstacle course, two players race to get through identical courses on different sides of the course. Damian Lillard was the two-time defending champ, but opted out this year when he felt disrespected that he hadn't been invited to the All-Star game (that's been changed thanks to Blake Griffin's injury). Here's the first-round matchups:
Isaiah Thomas vs. John Wall
Dennis Schroeder vs. Jeff Teague
Jimmy Butler vs. Kyle Lowry
Trey Burke vs. Brandon Knight
NBA Skills Challenge
Three-Point Contest. This might be even more hyped than the dunk contest. That's what happens when you get some of the best shooters in NBA history to sign up. Kyle Korver is hitting more than half of his three-point attempts and the Splash Brothers have shot Golden State to the top of the Western Conference. Here's the full lineup:
Kyle Korver
Klay Thompson
Stephen Curry
James Harden
Marco Belinelli
Wes Matthews
J.J. Redick
3-Point Contest
Dunk Contest. As usual, the dunk contest ends the night. This year's edition could be special. Giannis Antetokounmpo usually does his best work in-game, it will be interesting to see how he performs when he has time to think about it. Here's who will be battling it out for title of best dunker in the NBA:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Victor Oladipo
Mason Plumlee
Zach LaVine
Be sure to catch it all.
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