James to match All-Star skills with Nash
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-08 09:20

NEW YORK - LeBron James will try and dethrone defending champion Steve Nash at the NBA skills challenge during All-Star weekend.

Phoenix Suns' Steve Nash (13) of Canada lays up a shot against Minnesota Timberwolves Justin Reed during fourth period NBA action in Phoenix, Arizona, February 6, 2006. Minnesota defeated Phoenix 103-101. [Reuters]

James and last year's MVP will join Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade and New Orleans rookie Chris Paul in the contest on Feb. 18, the night before the All-Star game.

The challenge, which debuted in 2003 in Atlanta, is a two-round timed obstacle course, consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting stations.

James, the youngest player in NBA history to reach 5,000 points (21 years, 22 days on Jan. 21, 2006), opted to enter the skills challenge instead of the dunk contest.

The Cavaliers star has seven career triple-doubles.

Nash, a four-time All-Star from the Suns, leads the league in assists with 11.1 per game.

James will makes his second straight All-Star appearance. He is averaging 30.9 points, 6.5 assists and 6.9 rebounds.

Paul has been Western Conference rookie of the month three times. He leads all rookies in points (16.3 ppg), assists (7.8 apg) and steals (2.2 spg).

Wade, who will start with James for the Eastern Conference, is averaging 27.0 points, 6.9 assists and 2.0 steals.

Nash won the contest last season, completing the course nearly 12 seconds faster than Denver's Earl Boykins.