NBL All-Star Game: Ageless McDonald leads the Aussies All-Stars to the win - Dec. 28, 2005
The best of the NBL's best treated Sydney to a spectacular display of fan-friendly basketball during the Virgin Blue Velocity NBL All-Star Game between the Australian and World All-Stars. Ageless guard Darryl McDonald (192-G-64) was voted as the MVP of the game. NZ Breaker Everard Bartlett won the Slam Dunk Competition over Cairns' Deba George (183-G-85).
In the annual showcase of NBL talent, it was the Australian All-Stars claiming bragging rights during a whirlwind match against their international counterparts with a 151-116 victory. However, the result was a mere footnote to the feast of fast paced dunks, sweet passes and smooth jumpers in a true exhibition of skill, creativity and of course, minimal defence. The All-Stars lived up to their reputations with Cortez Groves (196-G/F-78) continually attacking the hoop, CJ Bruton and Jason Smith (194-G-74) lighting up from outside and Darryl McDonald (192-G-64) displaying his sublime ball-handling skills, giving the Sydney crowd something to remember. The players also enjoyed themselves, sharing laughs the whole way. When the dust settled from the combined total of 267 points, it was Melbourne's Darryl McDonald (192-G-64) who eventually prevailed as the MVP. He owned the final moments of the game, setting up a Chris Anstey slam before throwing down his own reverse jam off the backboard. Chinese national team guard Liu Wei (190-G-80) contributed eight points in 22 minutes in his first taste of NBL action. The Shanghai Sharks star was the only player not on an NBL roster, accepting an invitation to join the World All-Stars.
The crowd was warmed up prior to the game with six of the league's best leapers providing an aerial assault during the Philips Dunk Competition. A pair of up and coming players stole show as the Taipans' Deba George (183-G-85) threw down two slams off bounce passes and Breakers' Everard Bartlett flew over three kids with the highest scoring dunk of the second round. In the final round, the high-flying Bartlett scored a pair of perfect (40 points) slams to claim the crown against George.
Australia All-Stars: 151
Chris Anstey 23pts
Darryl McDonald 19pts
Jason Smith 19pts
Glen Saville 19pts
Martin Cattalini 18pts
Sam Mackinnon 17pts
CJ Bruton 16pts
Mark Bradtke 12pts
Scott McGregor 8pts
Brett Maher DNP-injuried
World All-Stars: 116
Cortez Groves 19pts
Mike Helms 16pts
Dusty Rychart 14pts
Bobby Brannen 14pts
Dave Thomas 12pts
Larry Abney 12pts
Willie Farley 11pts
Shawn Redhage 10pts
Liu Wei 8pts
Rolan Roberts DNP-injuried