There were several memorable moments from All-Star Weekend, but not many occurred during Sunday night’s game. Defense has rarely been a priority in the All-Star Game, but there was minimal effort from most players on that end of the court as Team Giannis posted a 184-175 win over Team LeBron.
Among the critics was the Nuggets’ Michael Malone, who guided Team LeBron in his second All-Star coaching appearance (video link from Vic Lombardi of Altitude TV).
“It’s an honor to be here; it’s an honor to be part of a great weekend, great players, but that was the worst basketball game ever played,” Malone said at the postgame press conference. “… I give Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving, those guys were, like, competing. Joel was imploring some of the guys to play harder, to try to get some defense in. No one got hurt, they put on a show for the fans, but that is a tough game to sit through, I’m not gonna lie.”
Celtics star Jaylen Brown was also critical of the contest, calling it a glorified “layup line” and saying, “that’s not basketball,” tweets Dan Woike of The Los Angeles Times.
There’s more from All-Star Weekend:
- Jayson Tatum realized midway through the fourth quarter Sunday night that he had a chance to break the All-Star Game scoring record, writes Dave McMenamin of ESPN. Tatum, who finished with 55 points to top Anthony Davis‘ old mark of 52, credits Damian Lillard for pointing out that the record was within reach. Tatum added that he has been hoping to win All-Star MVP honors since the trophy was named in honor of Kobe Bryant. “It’s extremely special to me,” Tatum said. “My first All-Star Game was in Chicago in 2020 when they renamed the MVP after him, and I remember telling myself that someday I got to get one of those.”
- The new format of having captains select their teams shortly before game time mostly went smoothly, although Giannis Antetokounmpo mistakenly picked starter Ja Morant while drafting the reserves. Also, Nikola Jokic walked over to Team LeBron before the final pick among starters was made, but he didn’t realize that Lauri Markkanen still hadn’t been selected, tweets Tim Bontemps of ESPN.
- Among the most notable picks in the draft was LeBron James choosing Irving, his former teammate in Cleveland. The Lakers were rumored to be among the top contenders to land Irving after he made his trade request to the Nets. “It’s always good to see him. I’m very proud of him,” James told reporters (video link from Kyle Goon of The Orange County Register). “Very proud of the man that he has become in his life right now.”
I don’t see why anybody would get upset over how an All-Star game is played. Every time somebody gets hurt (in any sport’s showcase), there’s a LOT of pushback, and there should be. Have fun with it, don’t get hurt, give the fans a show. Nothing else matters.
Well… It’s nice that no one gets hurt. But I don’t think this is fun for anyone who likes ball… there are more entertaining games everyday on the streets.
Except there are a lot of casual fans out there who probably do like the empty calories. If that’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for the league.
Only way if ever maybeeee gets changed is if the viewership numbers say no one likes it.
Lol Mike Malone such a bad look. Sour grapes much? Don’t say it doesn’t matter then whine about losing.
This NBA season’s bottle episode. We’ll all be OK. To the others: be grateful you got to attend because not every player gets the chance.
Malone is 100% correct. The ASG is unwatchable.
Where are the comments from the winning coach? I’ll wait.
ASG is unwatchable and you got dudes who have not even played a game in the NBA this year winning the Dunk Contest.
ASG is unwatchable.
All the trash NBA narratives concentrated into a weekend, promoting fringe celebrities, and musicians.
Its insulting to intelligent fans to associate the game of basketball, or competition with this Carney show of a weekend. Or to even use the word basketball to promote this garbage is unreal.
The best thing about an unwatchable game is…you don’t have to watch it.
Spend some time with family. Relax. Regular season will resume shortly. Who are you really angry with?
Agreed. It’s a game for casuals. I haven’t watched in well over a decade. But I certainly don’t mind that it occurs.
Coming from someone talking about winning in an all-star weekend competition?
Fire away, I’ll accept angry if stating the obvious means that to you
It’s a competition therefore by definition there is a winner. I’m not sure what you’re talking about. More proof that you need to take a few deep breath. You are so worked up over an exhibition game. So much negative energy over something you don’t even like.
Well guess what bucko there are some kids out there, 10, 11, 12. These guys are their idles. They just want to see basketball. Meanwhile you call yourself an “intelligent fan” yet you do not evem see what’s so clear. This game is not for you. It’s a spectacle for a youth audience. You upset about SpongeBob not having enough dramatic irony? Too?
Guess I win this round…big surprise lol
I was a little bit disappointed in this year’s All-Star game after looking forward to watching it. The last few All-Star Game 4th quarters were pretty entertaining as guys hunkered down and put forth effort to win.
I like the format of no clock and just pick a number, first team to 15 as in pick up. But one team was up 10 or more which made it tough to come back. The team ahead started jacking from half court to try to make it competitive but still didn’t work. Pretty much a downer this year let’s hope for more next year.
I like the idea one guy presented yesterday here somewhere that said it should be best of 7 quarters of first to 15 or whatever. That makes a big difference over the first three quarters last night of unwatchable hoops and lay up lines.
Side note. In last night’s game it was the first time I’ve EVER seen Damian Lillard smile on the court LOL
One nice change from the players perspective is that they’re off until Thursday. Complaint in the old days was All-Star Game festivities are fun but you don’t get a break. This way everyone gets at least 3 days with their families.
They have a whole off-season, wtf they need a break for?
An 82 Game season with playoffs is week in and week out from mid-october until june. That’s a long grind. Sure is nice to have 3 days off in a row. But that’s just me.
The picks were made days prior.
Is that why Giannis selected Ja Morant in the first go round of Reserves?
You’re on a roll here today.
The game died when it quit meaning something. Forget Lebron’s Bar B Q. Make the game East vs West with home court in the Finals on the line.
No way it should have any impact on the playoffs. I get wanting it to be more serious, but not at that cost.
Easiest way to get it changed is to just have enough discipline to not watch. If enough people don’t watch, they’d have no choice but to change the format. And I don’t mean just the All-Star game. All of it. Send a clear message to the league.
It’s still real to me!
NBA All-Star Game has been junk since the 90’s. Step back and let the other guy do his thing. It’s more like a pageant.