Live From Vegas: Wade Beats Kobe In Skills Challenge

The Skills Challenge definitely had the most star power, with three of the NBA's top five players participating. After my rough experience with this event earlier in the day, I was looking forward to watching the pros show me how it's done.

Before the contest began while the players were warming up, it looked like they had a challenge going to see who could bank in a shot from the top of the key. Can you guess who won? Yeah, I wouldn't bet against Kobe in anything like that either, and he did it on like his second try.

As for the event itself, it's no surprise that Kobe and Wade faced off in the final round. What I found interesting is that it doesn't seem that these guys like each other very much. There was no camaraderie between them, and I wonder if Kobe is like Shaq's ex and Wade is like his new girlfriend. Metaphorically speaking, of course. Anyway, both players seemed to really want to beat the other one.

Wade went first and absolutely killed it. He hit everything perfectly and quickly, which meant the pressure was on Kobe, who knew that one error would cost him the event. The error came on the first chest pass, and once he missed the first try, he knew it was over and missed three more times before completing the rest of the event. Here's the video from my vantage point of Kobe's failed attempt to dethrone D. Wade.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

2-18-2007 @ 6:45PM

Kenny said...

What else is new, Kobe is still learning how to pass the ball.

2-18-2007 @ 9:35PM

Dirty P said...

If they were REAL men they would do the slam dunk contest and bring back that awesomeness that was once the late 80's NBA!!!!

2-18-2007 @ 9:26PM

Fahim Ahmed said...

Haha! Kobe u suck!
Go Dwade

2-18-2007 @ 11:04PM

SHAQ ROCKS said...

Kobe SUCKS! Glad Wade put the lil bit@h in his place!

2-19-2007 @ 12:32AM

Sam said...

Kobe's new take this season has been all about his focus on becoming a team player, but it's all smack. Oh wait, maybe he thought he'd better take over the game tonight to keep the West from losing. Hot Dog Ball Hogs do not inspire camaraderie....

2-19-2007 @ 1:37AM

karen said...

KOBE iS THE BEST!!iM GLAD HE WON MVP..HE DESERVES iT!!

2-19-2007 @ 1:54AM

Ron Grindahl said...

Wade?, what a joke, he couldnt wear Kobe's jock, new or used....the isnt any who can take over the game like Bryant, when was the last time D.Wade even came close to scoring 50?

2-19-2007 @ 7:03AM

SHAQOFSTEEL said...

kobe sux and isnt a team player of course he cant pass thats why shaq ditched him and went to Dwade a real NBA all star who realizes its a team sport

2-19-2007 @ 8:36AM

Steve Brown said...

I dont care what any of you people say, Kobe Bryant is still pound for pound the best player in the NBA. The pass is the pass. Let it go!!!!!!!!!!!!
It takes a real man to come back from what he went through and still perform like he does. God bless you Kobe Bryant.

2-19-2007 @ 8:57AM

Donna said...

I don't know what's up with the other blog writers, but a real fan would appreciate what each player brings to the competition. I'm a laker fan, but I appreciated Dwyane Wade also. Kobe could have very well took the Skills Challenge too, but he went for the bigger stage. Dwayne Wade will never be the all around player that Kobe is. Haha

2-19-2007 @ 12:42PM

Knoxville said...

Kobe's problem is that one of the skills tested was passing, and Kobe doesn't know much about passing.

2-19-2007 @ 1:06PM

williams hanson said...

Many thanks Steve Brown for what you said about Kobe, May God richly bless you. Kobe is the best, no matter what they say about him.

2-19-2007 @ 1:52PM

Chadi said...

I dunno what is wrong with these writers how they hate kobe. Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA right now i respect the others too. I think he deserves MVP. I'm in Chicago but I love the LAkers because Kobe Bryant is in the team. can anybody score 81 points like he did so please people i don;t wanna see that sux word he;s the bestttt

2-19-2007 @ 1:56PM

Kobe Bryant is the best player in the NBA i dunno why u guys hate him because hes the best maybe and u like somebody else insteas. I respect all the players but hey is the best now he's Jordon now okay. can anybody score 81 point so please don;t talk okay. people saying he cannot pass really how did he got his assists from the sky come on people be honest don;t hate kobe is the best

2-20-2007 @ 5:42PM

JUSCHILLEN said...

TRUE BALLERS KNOW KOBE HAS SKILLS SO IF YOU START WITH SAYING HEY SUCKS...NO ONES GONNA BUY IN WHAT YOUR SAYING OR U JUST WATCH BASKETBALL AND U CAN'T PLAY FOR SH*t. Otha than that you can compare why other players are better in your opinion..ie..ray allen bettter cuz he has a better release on his shot than kobe; AI better cuz he has a better cross-over; but to say he just sucks he can't pass? did u see last year's skills challenge, few good guards did worst u tellin me they can't pass or dirk and arenas sucks in 3 pointers cuz they lost that competition...COMMON GET SUM VERBAL BRAIN! THINK BEFORE U TALK!

2-19-2007 @ 2:49PM

"He played within the flow of the game," fellow West starter Tracy McGrady said. "It wasn't like he was trying to take every shot, come down and get his game off. He had a few assists. He played well. You couldn't tell he was going after the MVP." Comming from T-MAC I'll take what he says over you blunder heads!

2-19-2007 @ 3:05PM

Andrew said...

So wat..Kobe didn't win this stupid event..boowooo..STILL THE BEST PLAYER IN THE N.B.A RIGHT NOW

spoken said...

all i have to say is 81 points in one game!
u cannot compare wade to kobe its really unfair to wade!

2-19-2007 @ 4:35PM

Lan said...

kobe lovers -
i'll believe you's if he can carry his team to [another] championship. Stoudemire@29 points in 21 mins is deserving of the mvp but kobe
decided to hog the ball to get @31 in 28 mins.

kobe watches too many Jordan videos!!
what a BITER!

kobe got SKILLED!