NBA Skills Challenge

The NBA Skills Challenge is a ball-handling competition during the NBA All-Star Weekend. In 2010, the event was held at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on February 13. Steve Nash and Deron Williams won the first round and proceeded to the final. Nash was the eventual winner; it was his second Skills Challenge win.

2009 winner Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls was expected to defend his title in the competition, but pulled out due to a bruised right hip. He was expected to compete in the NBA All Star Game the following night. Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder served as a replacement player.

Steve Nash defeated Deron Williams in the final round with a final score of 29.9 seconds.

Brandon Jennings and Russell Westbrook were eliminated in the first round.

• Russell Westbrook (replacing Derrick Rose)

• Brandon Jennings

• Steve Nash

• Deron Williams

• 2009: Derrick Rose, 35.3 seconds
• 2008: Deron Williams, 25.5 secondsNBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge
• 2007: Dwyane Wade, 26.4 secondsNBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge
• 2006: Dwyane Wade, 26.1 secondsNBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge
• 2005: Steve Nash, 25.8 secondsNBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge
• 2004: Baron Davis, 31.6 secondsNBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge
• 2003: Jason Kidd, 35.1 secondsNBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge

Participants must navigate through a series of obstacles that test dribbing, passing, and shooting. The players with the two fastest times face each other in the final round. The player with the fastest time in the final round determines the winner.NBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge

As part of the 2009 NBA All-Star Game festivities, the NBA Skills Challenge was held on February 14, 2009, at the U.S. Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Devin Harris, Tony Parker, Derrick Rose and Jameer Nelson were selected to participate. However Nelson was not able to play due to injury and was replaced by Mo Williams.NBA.com: 2009 Playstation Skills Challenge

Tony Parker and Mo Williams were eliminated in the first round, leaving Devin Harris and Derrick Rose to face off in the final round. Rose won the Skills Challenge with a lead of over four seconds.

1. First round:
   1. Tony Parker - 50.8 seconds
   2. Mo William - 37.5 seconds
   3. Devin Harris - 36.9 seconds
   4. Derrick Rose - 33.3 seconds
2. Final round:
   1. Devin Harris - 39.7 seconds
   2. Derrick Rose - 35.3 seconds

• • Winner: Derrick Rose, G, Chicago Bulls

• Devin Harris, G, New Jersey Nets

• Tony Parker, G, San Antonio Spurs

• Mo Williams, G, Cleveland Cavaliers

• Jameer Nelson, G, Orlando Magic (not playing)</small>