=== NBA's All-Star festivities continue at Staples Center ===

Los Angeles, CA (My Sportsbook) - Jason Richardson of the Golden State Warriors will try to become the first three-time winner of the Slam Dunk Contest, as the NBA's All- Star Weekend festivities continue this evening at the Staples Center.

All-Star Weekend got off to an early start on Friday, as Phoenix forward Amare Stoudemire scored a Rookie Challenge record 36 points and grabbed 11 rebounds, as the Sophomores crushed the Rookies, 142-118 in the opening event during the All-Star festivities.

Stoudemire, who was last year's Rookie of the Year, was named the game's MVP. He eclipsed the previous high of 31 points in this game set by Kobe Bryant in 1997 and Richardson in last year's contest.

LeBron James of the Cavaliers poured in 33 points on 15-of-26 shooting for the Rookies, who trail the all-time series 3-2. Miami's Dwyane Wade added 22 points and Carmelo Anthony of the Nuggets netted 17 for the Rookies.

Richardson, who has won the event the last two years, will be joined in the Slam Dunk Contest by Ricky Davis of the Boston Celtics and first-time entrants Chris Andersen of the Denver Nuggets and Fred Jones of the Indiana Pacers.

Since the contest's inception in 1984, no player has ever won the competition three times. Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins are the only other two-time winners of the event.

Other events slated for NBA All-Star Saturday Night include the Three-Point Shootout, the Skills Challenge, and the Shooting Stars competition.

Sacramento's Peja Stojakovic highlights a star-studded field in the three- point competition that includes Detroit's Chauncey Billups, Denver's Voshon Lenard, Seattle's Rashard Lewis, Houston's Cuttino Mobley and Philadelphia's Kyle Korver, who replaces the injured Brent Barry of the Seattle SuperSonics.

The competition consists of two rounds with each player getting a minute to go through five racks of six balls with each basket-made counting as a point, except for the last ball at each station, which counts as two. Half the field is then eliminated after the first round and the final three players will battle for the championship in the second round. However, the last two years have seen an overtime session, as two of the finalists netted the same amount in round two.

Stojakovic, who edged Wesley Person to win last year's shootout, will be trying to become just the third player to win the event three consecutive times, joining Larry Bird and Craig Hodges.

Returning after its debut last season will be the Skills Challenge. Last season, New Jersey's Jason Kidd won the inaugural event with a time of 35.1 seconds, but he won't be back to defend his crown.

Instead, last year's runner-up Gary Payton of the Los Angeles Lakers will head up a field that includes Earl Boykins of the Denver Nuggets, Baron Davis of the New Orleans Hornets and Stephon Marbury of the New York Knicks.

The four players will compete in a two-round timed obstacle course event consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations.

Also, as part of NBA Saturday Night for the first time, will be the Shooting Stars competition, which is a four-team event, with each team being comprised of an NBA player, WNBA player and NBA legend,

The Detroit team will consist of Billups, Detroit Shock forward and 2003 WNBA Rookie of the Year Cheryl Ford, and four-time NBA champion and NBA legend John Salley.

Both Los Angeles franchises will take part in the event, as the Clippers will be represented by guard Marko Jaric, Sparks guard Nikki Teasley and NBA legend Terry Cummings. The Lakers, meanwhile, will have guard Derek Fisher, three- time WNBA All-Star MVP and Sparks center Lisa Leslie and Lakers legend Magic Johnson.

Rounding out the field will be the San Antonio Spurs team consisting of guard Manu Ginobili, recently retired San Antonio Silver Stars guard Jennifer Azzi and former NBA star Steve Kerr.

The contest will feature six shooting locations of increasing difficulty, with each team attempting to make all shots in order in the fastest time. Each team will select a specific player rotation and follow that throughout the event, with each shot being made before the next one is attempted. The team that completes all six shots in the least amount of time will be declared the winner.

Each squad will be given up to two minutes to complete the entire shooting course. Should there be a tie, a shoot-off will determine the winner.

The NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday night.