SAN FRANCISCO — Whereas he loved this yr’s All-Star Sport format, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard nonetheless yearns for the way the NBA All-Star Sport was once.
This yr, the NBA made a radical change to the All-Star Sport with a tournament-style format. Gamers have been damaged up into three totally different groups and performed video games to 40 as an alternative of getting a clock to finish the sport.
Lillard, a member of Shaquille O’Neal’s OGs, gained the match and had his moments as he hit the game-winner within the crew’s first recreation towards Candace Parker’s Rising Stars within the semifinals.
However when requested what he would change concerning the format going ahead, the Oakland Excessive alum mentioned he would favor the sport ought to return to the best way it was.
“I’m a fan of the original way: East versus West,” Lillard mentioned.
When requested what might make the sport extra aggressive, Lillard pointed to having extra incentives for gamers.
“Just put more on the line,” Lillard mentioned. “(A financial incentive) is something that I’m sure would get people going. But I’m not suggesting that.
“Whoever wins, East or West, gets home court for the Finals, kind of like baseball (used to be). It could be anything. But I think East versus West is the best way for me.”
Lillard isn’t any stranger to enjoying arduous in an All-Star Sport. Final yr, Lillard gained the All-Star MVP after flattening 11 3-pointers and totaling 39 factors. Within the seven All-Star video games he performed in, Lillard has averaged 22.3 factors on 47.5% capturing from the sphere.
Whereas Lillard acknowledged the necessity for the All-Star recreation to be aggressive, he believes the timing of the sport and the potential of accidents makes it arduous for gamers to play as arduous as they’ll.
“The game is faster, it’s more up and down and the pace is higher than it’s ever been,” Lillard mentioned. “The style of play is just wearing guys’ bodies. The break is so deep into the season. We only got less than 30 games left, so our bodies are constantly breaking down over the course of a long season.
“We’re trying to get into the playoffs healthy. I don’t think it’s a matter of guys not caring. It’s just so much pressure on you. … We want to be our best for that. You don’t want to go out there and get hurt. I think one of the things that can make it better is to move All-Star Weekend closer to the start of the season, like the actual midpoint.”
Curry loved internet hosting
Regardless of having a busy schedule, Stephen Curry didn’t thoughts being the Bay Space’s ambassador for the weekend.
Curry stopped in at quite a few group occasions, together with opening the newly refurbished McClymonds Excessive gymnasium.
“The hosting experience was unbelievable,” Curry mentioned. “I’m not gonna complain about the entire exhaustion. This is an honor and a blessing to be able to celebrate and share this beautiful Bay Area that’s been a part of my life for the last 60 years. The basketball history and culture that’s here, amazing fans that are here, the impact that the game being here has had on both cities, it was awesome.”
Curry mentioned he obtained emotional strolling into the Oracle Enviornment for the All-Star follow on Saturday.
“If you have been a part of our journey, understood the highs and lows of everything we experienced, Oracle Arena is a symbol of that. It’s such a unique place, such a unique city, unique town and the idea that we had an opportunity to pay homage to the 47 years that we played in that building and the memories that we had, I got real emotional yesterday going back.”
Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry arrives at McClymonds Excessive Faculty in Oakland, Calif., earlier than the Oakland Unified Faculty District All-Star Basketball Sport on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Dai Sugano/Bay Space Information Group) Native All-Stars get pleasure from time again in Bay
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson and Memphis Grizzlies wing Jaylen Wells – two gamers with Bay Space ties – obtained the prospect to play on the identical crew tonight on the Rising Stars.
Thompson, a San Leandro native, mentioned he was joyful to get an opportunity to play towards Curry – a participant he grew up idolizing.
“It’s crazy watching what Steph did out here,” Thompson mentioned. “Being able to play against him when I went to some of his camps, that’s just crazy.”
Wells performed two seasons at Sonoma State. He has been energetic in displaying his help for his former faculty’s athletic division after Sonoma State introduced it was going to chop all sports activities.
“I plan on going there tomorrow, actually, and meet with a few people, and hopefully see the coach,” Wells mentioned. “I was mostly just sad for the athletes, just knowing that they have to change schools. They probably went to a school that they chose and love, and they get to play a sport that they love, that the only way they can keep playing their sport is to change schools.
“I wouldn’t be here without them. The first two years, I developed a lot, and I think a lot of the person I am today is from Sonoma State. They gave me such a huge role so early and I didn’t think I was ready for it.”
San Antonio Spurs’ Stephon Citadel is congratulated by Jaylen Wells after making the successful shot in a gap spherical Rising Stars recreation at Chase Middle in San Francisco, Calif., one of many NBA’s All -Star weekend occasions, Friday, Feb. 14, 2025. (Karl Mondon/Bay Space Information Group)
Initially Revealed: February 16, 2025 at 10:16 PM PST
