We’ve heard just about every possible complaint regarding the NBA’s annual All-Star festivities. From effort, to format, to players, and overall entertainment, the league hasn’t been able to catch a break.
NBA commissioner Adam Silver has done his absolute best to think outside the box and find some creative ways to incentivize the league’s best players to give the fans a decent game. The format he landed on this year was a three-team ’round robin’ tournament.
A total of 25 roster spots, seeing one team representing the “World,” built of the league’s best foreign players (which in many eyes are the league’s best players overall), then two other teams: One with the young American NBA talent, dubbed the “Stars,” and the other with the older NBA legends, the “Stripes.”
While it wasn’t perfect, this was almost as pure as it could get. The league deserves a round of applause and we’re going to give it to them. Here are some of the best and brightest moments on and off the court from this past Sunday.
- Location
The state of California is perhaps the happiest place on Earth for sports fans right now. The Olympics are soon approaching LA in 2028, the Super Bowl will be hosted there again in 2027. The hype continued in Inglewood at the newest arena on the map, the Intuit Dome, home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
As the NBA is stepping into a new chapter in almost every way, with legends leaving and new potential rising, hosting the festivities in the most modern arena was the perfect move to rejuvenate these events for everyone involved.
- Interviews
Between players and attendees, these were a nice tidbit during the games. First was Jaylen Brown, who was on team “Stripes,” talking about their scouting reports while team “World” and “Stars” were about to enter overtime in game 1.
Second, was Anthony Edwards after the first game explaining his thought process on challenging Victor Wembayma for the jump ball despite losing both times. Following that, commentator and NBA legend Reggie Miller interviewed Barack Obama on the sideline which was special and enjoyable especially when he took the opportunity to troll Miller about not getting past the Bulls in the playoffs.
- The Defense
I doubt there was ever a point where I cared to see one or multiple blocks and steals in any type of All-Star game, but if Wembayama is on the floor, all of that changes.
Wemby had three crucial blocks all in the first game, then Cade Cunningham denied the ball along the three point line and snatched three steals as well. This set the tone for the rest of the day. Three out of the four games ended within one possession.
Just a reminder two years ago, team East beat team West 211-186.
- The Game Results
Not only were these games close, but they were genuine nail bitters.
Team “Stars” was down by three with 20 seconds on the clock, and they actually ran a legit halfcourt play. Not any of that one-on-one, stagnant ball, stepback hail mary shot type of play. A staggered screen set by Devin Booker and Chet Holmgren, to free Cade Cunnigham, to pass to Chet, who then dished it to Booker, for a drive and kick to hit Anthony Edwards for an open three that sent it to overtime. All in an All-Star game.
Reminder, we saw a team score 200 points two years ago.
Overtime was a quick thrill ride, first to five. Edwards lost another jumpball to Wemby, but did hit a stepback on his former teammate, KAT.
Raptor’s Scottie Barnes unknowingly hit the game winning three to knock team “World” off the court. Team “Stripes” were the next opponent, and it was another suspenseful game. “Stripes” kept the lead late, but Anthony Edwards single-handedly took it from them, laying it up with 30 seconds, getting a steal and a fastbreak pull up three to put them up two. Now, all they needed was a stop. LeBron came down off a screen from Kevin Durant, Donovan Mitchell cut to the paint, then kicked it out to De’Aarron Fox,
- Team “World” Losing…Twice
The notion that the world is catching up to the US in basketball is true, but it’s far from being scary, and it’s far from being close.
The last eight MVPs being non-American players just proves that the world is top heavy right now. But, when it’s time to really run five on five hoops, it’s going to be more of the same. When it was team “Stripes” turn to go against the “World,” old man Kawhi Leonard gave ‘em a vintage 30-piece in 12 minutes. Victor had a chance to send it to overtime, but he missed the three at the buzzer.
Granted the “World” was missing two recent MVPs, but who cares, USA reigned supreme… again.
- Hopeful and Optimistic Future
When team “World” walked off the court after both of their losses, it was obvious Victor wasn’t at his happiest. On the contrary it can be seen that the winners were all smiles. This lets fans know that the next few years, regardless of format, may be in some great hands. The narrative that the world is better, or at least catching up, will only grow more traction. Young players will only get better, and as the standard rises, the newer faces (Cooper Flagg and VJ Edgecomb for example) will fit nicely in this competitive revamp for the All Star game. It’s been a trend to hate on the NBA for this, that, and the third in recent years, but Adam Silver and the league will get their flowers for this one.
Delivered by Le’Raun Peron
