All- Star Game tweak
As a long-time fan of the National Basketball Association (NBA), the mid-season classic All- Star Game has always been a highlight of every NBA year for me. While admittedly there were editions that rendered themselves as lopsided, still the thrill of seeing 24 of the best players in the world on the same court was not lost on me and took delight from them nonetheless.
This year, the Association had decided to make a tweak on how the All- Star Game (ASG) will be presented.
It had done away with the traditional East versus West format and instead will have two teams composed of players regardless of the conference they play in and selected, playground-style, by the top two vote-getters from the NBA’s two conferences.
The reason primarily for the change in format, league officials said, is to make the game more exciting and competitive.
To be honest, initially I did not really see the need for the tweak, because, as I said at the top, I am into the ASG regardless. It is the best from the East against those from the West, and I am fine with it. But having the chance to follow how the NBA came up with the roster for the All- Star Game and how the selection panned out, I am going to say it made me excited more than I expected and actually is looking forward to it all the more.
As things stand, the teams have been divided between Team LeBron James and Team Stephen Curry, the players who got the most votes from both conferences.
The two captains selected their players last Friday with very interesting mixes. It is just unfortunate that the process was not televised for one could only imagine the dynamics and “drama” that went in the selection — something we fans could have gotten a kick from.
When the selection smoke cleared, Team LeBron wound up with Kevin Durant (Golden State), Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins (New Orleans) and Kyrie Irving (Boston) as the starters with Russell Westbrook (Oklahoma City), John Wall and Bradley Beal ( Washington), Kristaps Porzingis (New York), Victor Oladipo (Indiana), LaMarcus Aldridge (San Antonio) and Kevin Love (Cleveland) coming off the bench.
The team will be coached by Toronto’s Dwane Casey. Because of the season-ending Achilles injury he suffered recently, Cousins will miss the All- Star Game and has since been replaced by Paul George of the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Team Stephen, meanwhile, has as part of the starters James Harden (Houston), DeMar DeRozan (Toronto), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee) and Joel Embiid (Philadelphia). Reserves are Klay Thompson and Draymond Green (Golden State), Kyle Lowry (Toronto), Al Horford (Boston), Damian Lillard (Portland) and Jimmy Butler and Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota). Its coach is Mike D’Antoni of the Houston Rockets. On paper, it is easy to side with Team LeBron for it is loaded as loaded can get. James said he wanted a team that is competitive and I think he got it and more. At every position it has it covered and can be a handful. On the other end, Team Stephen maybe surrendering some talent here and there but mind you in a team setting and play it could have the advantage.
Made up mostly of teammates in their mother teams and players who have no trouble “complementing,” the team may render itself more fluid come game time.
With what is at hand in the All- Star Game on Feb. 19 (Manila time), an exciting and competitive match between the protagonists should be expected.
Aimed at attracting fans and stoking their interest, the latest NBA All- Star Game tweak does give a fresh dimension to it all, and count me in as among those watching it.