Warriors guard Stephen Curry was named the MVP of the 2022 NBA All-Star Game in Cleveland on Sunday night, following a record-setting performance in which he put up 50 points and made 16 three-pointers for Team LeBron.
Curry’s 16 three-pointers obliterated the previous All-Star record of nine and are more than any player has made in a regular season game in NBA history (Curry’s teammate Klay Thompson holds that record, with 14).
While Curry’s outside shooting stole the show for much of the night, it was his teammate – and fellow Akron, Ohio native – LeBron James who hit the game-winning shot to secure a 163-160 win for Team LeBron. Curry said after the game that it was an ideal way for an All-Star Game in Cleveland to play out.
“It was kind of a perfect ending,” Curry said, per ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Obviously, I got the MVP; I played well the whole night. (LeBron) hit the game winner. All the history of our series and the Akron ties, and all that kind of going into how the night went, so it was pretty — can’t really draw it up any other way. It’s right on the nose of how it should go.”
It’s the first All-Star MVP award for Curry and the fifth time in NBA history that a Warriors player has won it, with Curry joining Kevin Durant (2019), Rick Barry (1967), Wilt Chamberlain (1960), and Paul Arizin (1952).
James (24 points, eight assists, six rebounds) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points, 12 rebounds) were among the other Team LeBron standouts, while Joel Embiid led the way for Team Durant with 36 points and 10 boards.
If the captain is injured then there should be a replacement captain. That puts the injured team at a slight disadvantage, maybe more so because team Lebron chose first as well.
Good game though.
Maybe this will get Steph going.
Always seems that people have some kind of weird fixation with Curry, a very good player (not great)… the MVP should have gone to Giannis, he was the best player of the game, with all said even Embiid deserve it more than Curry… but there you are, another one for the fanboys, right?
Anything you post here has just been undermined forever with this post.
jbl, you are spot on with that, even though El Don Aways Wrong has been mesmerizing us with wonderful basketball knowledge for the last 2 years.
You see his post here is another wonderful example of that which makes no sense to any basketball fan anywhere. Then he gives himself a thumb up. Puzzling indeed.
I’m shocked there are still posters with the ability to reply to El Don. Dude mutes people like it’s going out of style.
I have to reply to folks that reply to him LOL.
I find Curry to be overrated at times. At least in terms of the “Goat/s” conversation. To say he shouldn’t have one the MVP of this game is ludicrous.
Pain, I would agree with you but what I find the most compelling about Curry’s game is that he’s a self-made guy.
He is not overly athletic and the skills in which he is exceptional are learned skills. #1 his shooting. Of course no one is a born shooter. It takes thousands and thousands and thousands of shots.
#2 His handles. Another learned skill, no one is born with handles. A person is born with quickness or length or speed, but not desire and discipline and willingness to practice.
Environment helps and being around a NBA playing father helps but pretty much Curry’s entire game is developed through hard work and practice. To me that’s exemplary and fascinating.
There is one negative to the whole Curry phenomenon though. Kids shooting long-distance too often. They don’t understand the hours and hours and hours of practice over many many years.
But I will say this. Kids and young Ballers are way better Shooters today than when I was a kid. It’s tough to guard some of these early twenties guys cuz they can all shoot. And shoot it well.
He is a great player. I would agree with what you have said.
He certainly comes from good pedigree. You would also have to assume he had access to facilities, trainers, etc. that many don’t.
But what separates him from his brother? He is another level for sure. I put him in that top 75. I just don’t put him on Mt. Rushmore, in the GOAT conversation.
I just had this conversation last night with a guy watching the All-Star Game. Who’s your top 5 best players all time?
Not my starting five but five best all-time. 2 different lists. It took some thought and had trouble with the fifth guy. But to me the five best players all time are probably consensus for the first 4?
Kareem wilt Magic Michael. I wasn’t sure who to pick for my fifth guy but Larry Bird did come to mind. He is top 10 but my buddy suggested his was Hakeem. I’ll agree and make him my fifth.
Curry’s influence on the game and how his playing style changed the NBA is alone worthy of him being considered as one of the all time greats.
He’s one of the most entertaining players of all time. His unique playing style is so fun to watch.
Why even mention Curry eclipsed Klay’s actual record of 14 threes made in a game? Not a single one of Steph’s attempts were contested, as the ASG is a joke. Apples to oranges.
Those who don’t normally follow NBA basketball details like most threes in a game would probably ask the question as it came up.
I know several in my group asked so perhaps that’s why it was mentioned? But I agree it’s apples and oranges and I don’t think anyone else would disagree.
The media is 98% responsible for the irresponsible references. Referencing Thompsons record in the same sentence that glorifies Currys 16 3s is not only ridiculous but worse yet disrespects Thompsons phenomenal performance. I love Curry but isn’t him making over 100 straight 3s in practice (which he did awhile back) a bigger story. In neither case was he contested. And every media post about the game says James last make won the game. He made the shot when they were ahead and the other team never scored again. The media, in all mediums,not just sports, gets more and more idiotic every day.
I didn’t think I’d have to clarify that Curry’s accomplishment isn’t as impressive as Klay’s — that goes without saying! Mentioning the regular season record was simply to provide some context.
As for LeBron’s shot, it literally did win the game. That’s how the Elam Ending works. Even if they’d been up by 100 points, it would’ve been the game-winning shot, because when he made it, the game ended.
I’ll plead ignorance on the game ending. I only saw the highlights. I apologize. Feeling pretty stupid now.
And I wasn’t referring to your comments re Thompson. What you wrote was very clearly stating how Currys feat did not relate to Thompsons’. Well done. I was griping about what tv/internet is saying. Your articles are always great.
Appreciate that!
Didn’t watch a second of All-Star Weekend. After reading all that happened, I don’t feel like I missed a thing. Will wait for actual basketball to return Thursday.
How the festivities are appealing to anyone but the youngest fans is beyond me. It’s superficial and saccharine.
And I understand many people of all ages enjoy this and I am not taking a shot at anyone who likes it. I simply just don’t get the appeal.
You’re absolutely right but I guess what I enjoy is seeing matchups that you won’t find during the regular season or playoffs.
It’s just interesting to watch who gets the ball among a group of stars. Who is the go-to guy in particular situations when there’s a lot of guys on the floor who would normally be “the man.”
And then seeing Chris Paul guard Devin Booker or Zach LaVine guarding DeMar DeRozan is interesting. Even though this is a pickup game you know that guys on this level have pretty big egos or they would not have made it to the league in the first place. There’s something within these guys that says hey I’m going to destroy you with this move or this defense.
I hear what you’re saying I just like the little things of the All-Star Game That You Don’t See any other time. One last thing I like is seeing who of all the all stars will they put on Giannis to try to slow him down? Or when embiid is on a roll, which of those five All-Stars on the other team do they put on him and try and slow him down. Stuff like that I find entertaining and interesting.
morant is the slam dunk champion. ja dropping. maybe score the in game dunks to determine future contests. or at the end of a quarter add a count down clock with a few minutes for guys to throw a few down.