In Honor of All-Star Weekend. . .

     Did you know that any player selected to play in the All-Star Game is required "to attend and participate in one (1) All-Star Skills Competition," conducted during the All-Star weekend? NBA CBA Article XXI, Section 1(a). Of course, the language is poorly drafted as it is impossible for each player selected to play in the All-Star Game to participate in a Skills Competition because there are less than twenty-four Skills Competition participants. Ostensibly, the intent is that any player selected to play in the All-Star Game is required to participate in a Skills Competition if selected to participate in a Skills Competition.

     Also, it should be noted that there are four exceptions to this interesting requirement of players selected to play in the All-Star Game. First, this requirement does not apply to the Slam Dunk Competition. Second, players who are officers or representatives of the Players Association shall not be precluded from attending the Players Association's annual meeting during All-Star Weekend. Third, no player can be precluded from attending the Players Association's All-Star party. And finally, a player is not required to participate in a Skills Competition if he is excused from participation by the Commissioner who has broad discretion in such a decision.

     Now, on the lighter side, how much the NBA value the performance of the players during All-Star Weekend? Here is the amount of money awarded to players for their participation or performance:

     Players on the winning team in the All-Star Game- $35K
     Players on the losing team in the All-Star Game- 15K
     
     Players on the winning team in the Rookie-Sophomore Game- 15K
     Players on the losing team in the Rookie-Sophomore Game- 5K

     1st Place in the Slam Dunk Competition- 35K
     2nd Place in the Slam Dunk Competition- 22.5K
     3rd Place in the Slam Dunk Competition- 16.125K
     4th Place in the Slam Dunk Competition- 16.125K

     1st Place in the Three-Point Shootout- 35K
     2nd Place in the Three-Point Shootout- 22.5K
     3rd Place in the Three-Point Shootout- 16K
     4th Place in the Three-Point Shootout- 4.5K
     5th Place in the Three-Point Shootout- 4.5K
     6th Place in the Three-Point Shootout- 4.5K

     1st Place in the Skills Competition- 35K
     2nd Place in the Skills Competition- 22.5K
     3rd Place in the Skills Competition- 9K
     4th Place in the Skills Competition- 9K

     Winning team in the Shooting Stars- 45K
     2nd place team in the Shooting Stars- 33.75K
     3rd place team in the Shooting Stars- 16.875K
     4th place team in the Shooting Stars- 16.875K

I do not know what Kevin Durant was awarded for winning HORSE, but I am guessing 35K.