There was no shortage of former Blue Devil talent on display during NBA All-Star Weekend. We take a look at some of the best Duke’s finest had to offer:
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
After winning the Three-Point Shootout in 2013, the fourth-year guard found himself back in the championship round after a tremendous display of shooting to start the contest
Irving’s 23 points in Round 1 tied Stephen Curry for second-place and were just one behind leader Klay Thompson. But in the final round of the competition, Irving would struggle to find a rhythm after a hot start—scoring only 17 of a possible 34 points.
This would be no match for Curry, who set a tournament record with 27 of 34 total points and hit 13 shots in a row at one point to take home the trophy.
Sunday in the All-Star Game, Irving was again unable to replicate last year's incredible 31-point, 14-assist performance that earned MVP honors, but had a solid outing. The 6-foot-3 guard had 11 points on 4-of-9 shooting, made two 3-pointers and added six rebounds and five assists in 19 minutes as the West prevailed 163-158 against the East.
Mason Plumlee, Brooklyn Nets
The 6-foot-11 center had a chance to display his athleticism in the Slam Dunk Contest and did not disappoint. For Plumlee’s first dunk, Irving threw a pass off the side of the backboard that Plumlee finished with a reverse dunk. The dunk received 40 of a total 50 points and left Plumlee in third place with the final dunk of the first round to come.
Plumlee turned to another Blue Devil for help with his second dunk, but this time it was someone who shared his last name—Miles Plumlee. With Miles Plumlee standing at 6-foot-11, jumping over the Phoenix Suns center was no easy feat. However, Mason Plumlee would do just that and receive 36 points for his final dunk.
Plumlee’s first-round total of 76 fell short of leaders Zach LaVine and Victor Oladipo—who finished with 100 and 89 points respectively. LaVine threw down four incredible dunks to run away with the competition and take the title.
Friday night in the Rising Stars Challenge, Plumlee had 13 points and nine rebounds as the U.S. team fell 121-112 to the World team.
J.J. Redick, Los Angeles Clippers
The former Blue Devil sharpshooter joined a loaded field in the Three-Point Contest and had his fair share of success. During Redick’s third and fourth racks, the guard appeared to hit 10 consecutive three-pointers—including a money-ball worth two points—that would help him move onto the championship round
Yet, Redick’s round would go down in infamy as three of the guard’s baskets were ruled as two-pointers and deducted from his score. The four-point deduction left Redick at only 17 points, which was not enough to qualify for the final round of the tournament. However, Redick would take his early exit in jest and drew jeers across the nation from fans for setting a record for most two-pointers made during the contest.
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.