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Kristaps Porzingis wins skills challenge, Joel Embiid wants 76ers to keep Jahlil Okafor

    by Keith Pompey
    Published 

NEW ORLEANS - New York Knicks power forward Kristaps Porzingis won the skills challenge at the all-star event at the Smoothie King Center. Houston Rockets guard Eric Gordon won the three-point contest. And Indiana Pacers small forward Glenn Robinson III outlasted Chester native Derrick Jones Jr. to win the slam- dunk contest.

Jones, a rookie forward for the Phoenix Suns, had the most impressive made dunks. But his struggles in the first round of the finals cost the former Archbishop Carroll standout.

Jones missed all three of his attempts to jump over people while putting the ball between his legs He finished with a score of 37. But Jones got a perfect score of 50 on his second attempt to finish with a combined score of 87.

Robinson, a former Sixer, clinched the victory by dunking over Paul George, the Pacers mascot, and an Indiana cheerleader on his second attempt. He was awarded a 50. The forward had a combined score of 94.

The 7-foot-3 Porzingis defeated Utah Jazz forward Gordon Hayward in the finals to become the second 7-footer to win the skills challenge. Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns was the first, winning last season.

"It's a good feeling that I'm able to showcase my skill with my size and show to the kids that you're capable of doing that even if you're tall and lanky like me," Porzingis said. "I think a lot of kids now growing up will improve those perimeter skills just seeing guys like _ I don't want to mention myself, but guys with perimeter skills that can do it."

Gordon outlasted Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Kyrie Irving to win the three-point title. Gordon and Irving both finished with scores of 20 in the final round to force an overtime session. Gordon came back with a score of 21 points to win.

Toronto Raptors point guard and North Philly native Kyle Lowry finished last in the competition, scoring nine points. Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson, the defending champion, was also eliminated in the first round.

Embiid wants the Sixers to keep Okafor

Jahlil Okafor would remain with the 76ers if Joel Embiid had the final say.
Embiid would like the team to find a way to use Okafor as opposed to trading him before the NBA trade deadline Thursday.
"We got a lot of talent, and I feel we can use everybody if we want to get to where we want to," the rookie center said. "Obviously the playoffs are right there even if we don't get the opportunity to make it this year. I think next year is our goal  ...  
"We have a lot of talent. Anytime you have that type of talent, you got to find ways to make it work."
Okafor displayed the low-post skills that Embiid raves about in the Rising Stars Challenge on Friday at the Smoothie King Center. The center was credited with 10 points on 5-for-6 shooting to go with two rebounds in a reserve role for the United States team. 
But he has been the subject of trade talks with 10 to 11 teams, including the Chicago Bulls, New Orleans Pelicans, Denver Nuggets, and Portland Trail Blazers. 

For a Good Cause

Players and celebrities took a break from Saturday night's action to celebrate the life of the late Craig Sager, who recently died of cancer. They also raised $500,000 for the Sager Strong Foundation, which supports cancer research and education. Sager was an NBA sideline reporter for TBS and TNT.

Follow and contact 76ers beat writer Keith Pompey on Twitter and on Instagram at PompeyOnSixers.

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