Peja's "Tesla 3-Pointer" Overshadowed
NEW ORLEANS - While the talk of the NBA All-Star Weekend was Dwight Howard's performance in the Slam Dunk Contest - specifically his now ubiquitous Superman Dunk, there was an earlier tribute to a national folk-hero that went unnoticed by many. New Orleans' very own Peja Stojakovic literally had lightning in a bottle during the preceding 3-Point Contest in a tribute to an oft-overlooked, ahead-of-his time "superman" in his own right.
Stojakovich was keeping up with the score he needed to best to advance, but in the middle of his round, Peja's temmate Chris Paul entered from the sideline with a box containing a tiny replica of the so-called Tesla Tower. As the 3-Point Contest is all about time management and quickness, this was seen by many as quite unorthodox. With the push of a button the machine was activated. Peja could be seen mouthing the words, "Is for Tesla. Is for Serbia." What happened next surprised everyone.
The ball disappeared in a cloud of electricity that many described as "looking like lightning" right as Peja released his shot. Onlookers were stunned and many struggled for words. Peja, unable to match the points total of Jason Kapono and Daniel Gibson, did not advance to the next round.
Later, at an NBA press conference, Peja explained the ball traveled through the ionosphere and ended up swishing through the net at a specially set-up basket in the heart of Belgrade - the longest 3-pointer in history - thanks to the revolutionary discoveries of Nikola Tesla.
The shot was not without controversy however. Stray electrical charges struck Detroit's Richard Hamilton and may leave the Pistons star sidelined until the playoffs. All of these happenings were moot however, as Howard's Superman throw-through display erased the memory forever.
5 comments:
Nice. Didn't see this, but did see the Superman dunk. That wasn't even a dunk. I guess throwing the ball from above the rim is now worthy of "Best Dunk" awards.
Weak.
I was throwing down better shit back at Court Lipto in the early 90's (albeit on a 7 foot rim).
Weaksauce.
But funny article. How's Ben coming along with his turtle studies?
Peja's got a Jumper jumper.
I studied Tesla during my first few weeks in the utility industry.
Finally I feel smart enough to understand what Grease is talking about.
p.s. thanks jdot for validating my claims of howard's non-dunk. you and I seem to be the only ones not impressed.
2008: Howard's Non-Dunk. Yeah, I Figured That Much
I studied Tesla in the liner notes of the "The Great Radio Controversy" record...
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