HOUSTON, Texas — Denver Nuggets second-year forward Kenneth Faried had 40 points Friday as Team Chuck routed Team Shaq 163-135 in the National Basketball Association's Rising Stars Challenge game. Faried also had 10 rebounds and shot 18-of-22 from the field to collect MVP honors and kick off the NBA's all-star weekend festivities at the Toyota Center arena. Faried finished off a couple of windmill dunks in the final minute that he said was a taste of what people can expect from him in Saturday night's Slam Dunk contest. “I had fun. I enjoyed myself,” Faried said. “This was just a sneak preview. There is going to be a lot of competition tomorrow but I think I can rise up and get the trophy.” With the exception of Ricky Rubio every player reached double-figures in scoring for the winning team, put together by former NBA star Charles Barkley. Tristan Thompson and Kawhi Leonard each scored 20 points and Isaiah Thomas finished with 18 points with 10 assists in the win. For the second-straight year, the squad chosen by former Laker legend Shaquille O'Neal was not up to the task in the contest, which features the league's top rookies and sophomore players. The 62nd all-star game takes place Sunday and it marks the first time the showdown has been played in Houston since 2006. It will be televised live in more than 200 countries and in more than 40 languages. Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was the top vote getter this year, earning him a record 15th straight all-star selection. Bryant beat out Miami Heat's LeBron James, collecting 1.591 million votes to 1.583 million for James. Bryant breaks a tie with Jerry West, Karl Malone and O'Neal for the most consecutive all-star selections. Four time all-star MVP Bryant said he is going to enjoy himself Sunday but also wants to put on a good show. “It is about having fun but it is also a competition,” Bryant said. “You are competing and playing against the best in the world.” Kevin Durant of Oklahoma City, Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, Dwight Howard of the Lakers and Chris Paul of the Clippers join Bryant as starters for the West team. James, Carmelo Anthony of New York, Kevin Garnett of Boston, Rajon Rondo of Boston and Dwyane Wade of Miami were voted starters for the Eastern Conference. Saturday's festivities include a series of skills competitions, comprising the Slam Dunk, Shooting Stars, Three Point Contest and a Skills Challenge. Friday's Risings Stars game was preceded by the light-hearted celebrity game which saw the James Harden-coached West team defeat Russell Westbrook's East squad 58-38. Payton, Heinsohn and Hardaway named Hall of Fame finalists Nine-time NBA All-Star guard Gary Payton, two-time NBA-winning coach Tom Heinsohn and smooth shooting point guard Tim Hardaway were named Friday among the 12 finalists for induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame. Among those also named as first-time finalists were three-time National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Coach of the Year Sylvia Hatchell, WNBA All-Star guard Dawn Staley and six-time NBA All-Star Mitch Richmond. Payton, a point guard and defensive specialist for 18 NBA seasons, ranks in the top 10 all time in assists and steals. Previous finalists again being considered for induction into the Springfield, Massachusetts, hall are former NBA All-Stars Maurice Cheeks, Spencer Haywood, and Bernard King, and college coaches Guy Lewis, Rick Pitino and Jerry Tarkanian. The Class of 2013 will be unveiled at the NCAA Final Four on April 8 and the enshrinement will take place Sept. 8. — Agencies
