This past February, the National Basketball Association held its first All-Star Game in Toronto, the first time the event has been held outside of the United States. This was a historic moment for all fans north of the border.
“All-Star Toronto 2016,” the banner read two years ago at the press conference.
Rising Stars
I was able to grab some tickets to the Rising Stars Challenge, the first (worthwhile) event of the weekend. Basketball fans packed the Air Canada Centre on Friday. The atmosphere was different. First, there were a lot more American spectators than usual. I could hear their accents. Second, there were a lot of tall individuals in the arena. I cannot remember ever seeing as many six-foot-eight persons traverse the ACC.
This year, much to my chagrin, was the “USA versus the World” theme for the Rising Stars Challenge. Rising Stars is an exhibition game between players who are in their first two years in the NBA. This game used to be known as the “Rookie-Sophomore Challenge,” where first-year players were pitted against those in their second campaign. Personally, I wish that the NBA had brought back the Charles Barkley-Shaquille O’Neal draft. A few years ago, the NBA switched from the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge (after many lopsided affairs in favour of the sophomores) to the Barkley-Shaq draft which resulted in more evenly matched teams and a better display of talent on both sides. This year’s theme had those born in the US face off against the players who were born anywhere else.
I have always enjoyed this event. Although the defence is lackadaisical, think of it like a poor man’s All-Star Game. Your favourite rookies and sophomores are being showcased while not being obligated to run team plays. You will see more crossovers, dunks, alley-oops, and athleticism than a regular season game.
Cheering for Team World, I saw the game live, in decent seats. Andre Roberson, a forward from Oklahoma City Thunder, sat a row away from us, draped in a grey hoodie. On my way to the washroom, I passed Shareef O’Neal, Shaq’s son, who towered over me at six-foot-nine.
The game was interesting. For Team USA, Jordan Clarkson, Zach LaVine, and Karl-Anthony Towns put on quite the show for the audience, with a barrage of three-pointers and dunks. For Team World, Emmanuel Mudiay, Mario Hezonja, and Andrew Wiggins exhibited some impressive cutting, slashing, and shooting. The game went down to the final seconds, with LaVine capturing the most valuable player award.
Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden, Victor Oladipo, Aaron Gordon (more on him later), Morris Peterson, and Isaiah Thomas were all in attendance. It was great to see Harden sign an All-Star program for a young fan.
Rating: 7/10
Inside the Studio
Afterwards, I attended the TNT Inside the Studio set, but was not able to walk on, unfortunately. I saw Shaq, Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Von Miller (yes, that Von Miller) discuss the All-Star Weekend festivities and Miller’s Super Bowl MVP.
Shaq is quite the large man. It is not until you see him walk around in person that you realize how gargantuan he really is. In his typical jovial fashion, he tossed some soft-boiled eggs into the crowd.
It had been a great night in Toronto thus far.
All-Star Saturday Night
Skills Competition
Notwithstanding the fact that the skills competition was an exciting showdown between Karl-Anthony Towns and Isaiah Thomas, everyone tuned in for the three-point and dunk competition.
It was an exciting race between a big man and a small guard. I hope that the NBA continues this next year.
Rating: 7/10
Threes
Boy, oh boy. Toronto was in for quite the delight.
Klay Thompson, Steph Curry, JJ Redick, and Devin Booker. Loaded.
I had my money on Redick, merely because he was a sleeper (in a competition with Curry and Thompson, he is a sleeper) and he is having a fantastic season this year. It came down to the Splash Brothers in the final round, where Thompson outscored Curry in an exciting fashion. This was the first time that team members had won the competition in back-to-back years (Curry won in 2015).
What a disappointment Devin Booker was in this competition. I expected him to go further.
Rating: 8/10
The Dunk-Off
Andre Drummond and Will Barton: please do not ever agree to participate in the slam dunk competition again. Those two were horrible.
With that said, the showdown between Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon was insane.
The dunk off is largely hit-or-miss. Personally, I found the whole “let’s give Nate Robinson three dunk-off championships” to be rather annoying.
Gordon should have won. I mean, the under-the-legs-over-the-mascot plus the 360-degree one-handed-dunk-with-the-assist-from-the-mascot-on-the-spinning-hoverboard plus the 180-degree-through-the-legs-up-and-under coupled with the fact that he jumped over the mascot should have sealed the victory.
LaVine was no slouch, however. He just did not have the creativity that Gordon did. Where Gordon had a repertoire of inconceivable dunks, LaVine would slightly modify his previous dunk. Where Gordon had pizazz, LaVine had airtime.
I took exception to the fact that they could not, at the very least, award both dunkers with the trophy in a tie. Aaron Gordon should participate in the contest again.
The showdown between these two was one for the ages. There was no real loser.
Rating: 10/10
The Game
It was the final All-Star Game for Kobe Bean Bryant, starting with Steph Curry and Russell Westbrook in the backcourt. Kahwi Leonard was voted in as a starter. Paul George, two years removed from a gruesome injury, was voted as a starter. Great storylines for a game that many do not watch intensely, but still tune in to.
I usually love the All-Star Game. Sure, there isn’t a lot of emphasis on defence, but you have to realize that you will not see these players on the same team ever. Ever. It’s enjoyable enough watching them pass the ball to one another for one night. Plus, the fourth quarter is usually when everyone buckles down and locks onto their man. Not to mention the fact that sustaining an injury in a meaningless game is not smart financially for the players, nor is it wise for their team.
This year, however, was a joke. The lack of defence was at an all-time low. I was very disappointed and found myself watching it for three reasons: the last All-Star game for Kobe, the fantastic play of Westbrook, and hoping that George would break the record for most points scored on the Eastern Conference team (he ended up being one point shy). Players were almost ushering the opposing team to the basket. It is no wonder why this year’s game was the highest scoring ever. Ever.
Kobe was honoured in fantastic fashion and I appreciate the fact that all of the arenas are giving him the farewell tour he deserves.
The NBA needs to implement some sort of incentive for the Conference team or a player to win the game. I usually enjoy the exhibition but this year was despicable. Sorry, Toronto, the main event on Sunday did not live up to the hype. Fortunately, the preceding days compensated for the lack of effort by the players.
Rating: 5/10
Next up: Charlotte in 2017!