PHOTO: AP
ATLANTA Even in the strangest NBA All-Star Game of them all, LeBron James was still the perfect captain.
Team LeBron showed off its high-flying and long-range skills during a dominating run to close out the first half, setting up a 170-150 romp over Team Durant in the league s 70th midseason showcase Sunday night (Monday, Manila time).
This one sure was different than the previous 69 All-Star contests.
Determined to pull off an exhibition that is huge for TV revenue and the league s worldwide brand, the NBA staged the game in a mostly empty arena in downtown Atlanta, a made-for-TV extravaganza that was symbolic of the coronavirus era.
ASG winner: Team LeBron
The biggest question comes in the dunk contest. Specifically, who is Cassius Stanley? The anonymity of the NBA’s once marquee Saturday event is something the league needs to address, but for now I’m expecting something spectacular from Toppin, the Knicks hyperathletic rookie. And I like the games within the game on Sunday: Giannis vs. James Harden, Jokic against Embiid in a battle of MVP candidates. And the return off the Elam ending guarantees a compelling ending. I’m taking Team LeBron, with a duel between Stephen Curry and Kyrie Irving deciding the game at the end.
Feb 23, 2021
The All-Star Game seemingly nobody wants to play in got its official rosters Tuesday night. The NBA announced the seven reserves in each conference who will be joining the 10 starters in Atlanta on March 7. In the West, Chris Paul, Paul George, Damian Lillard, Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, Zion Williamson and Anthony Davis were named All-Stars. (Davis will likely be replaced due to injury.) Joining them in the East will be James Harden, Julius Randle, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Zach LaVine, Ben Simmons and Nikola Vucevic. Here are some thoughts on the final selections…
Who got snubbed?
The first thing people want to talk about when the rosters are named is who was left off the list. LeBron James fired the first salvo, tweeting his support for Devin Booker. I don’t know that there are any egregious snubs. Somebody is always going to get left off the list. In the West, De’Aaron Fox and Mike Conley (in addition to Booker) had good cases.but who would they be repl
Feb 15, 2021
Selecting this year’s All-Star team was a particularly daunting process. For several overt reasons, the league feels less consistent and borderline unreadable right now. At the same time, it’s brimming with ridiculous talent. At least 30 names seem like obvious shoo-ins when you say them out loud. Sadly, only 24 can make it. These are the ones I chose.
Eastern Conference
Joel Embiid, Sixers
Nothing is more frustrating for a defense than Embiid’s mid-range jumper. Once a source of relief for those who were thrilled to watch basketball’s most physically imposing player show off his preternatural finesse instead, it’s now arguably the most effective part of Embiid’s entire attack. In fact, no player who’s attempted at least 50 of these shots is more accurate than Philly’s center.