COMMEMORATIVE PROGRAM
ALL-STAR 1988 AIR, WIND & FIRE CHI’S FINEST CHICAGO’S RICH BASKETBALL HISTORY ALL-STAR 2000 VC FUNDING REMEMBERING DAVID STERN BY BOB LANIER & DIKEMBE MUTOMBO NAT “SWEETWATER” CLIFTON NBA PIONEER A STAR AMONG STARS KOBE BRYANT’S GREATEST ALL-STAR MOMENTS
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ER N O I S S I M M O HE C T M O R F R E T T A LE Dear Fans, Chicago last hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1988, when a then four-time All-Star named Michael Jordan took flight from the free throw line and into the stratosphere of sports history. A few rows away, the late NBA Commissioner David Stern watched and understood that a league once at a crossroads could become a modern global enterprise. A few thousand miles away in Italy, nine-year-old Kobe Bryant mirrored every move of his basketball idol, dreaming that he would take flight one day too. While we still mourn David and Kobe’s passing, we gather in Chicago this weekend to recognize the current and future stars who carry on their love of basketball and belief in its power to impact lives. Over the course of 30 years as Commissioner, David was responsible for transforming the All-Star Game into a weeklong global celebration of basketball. We continue that tradition with our annual Day of Service, Legends Brunch and other community events that promote health and fitness and teach the core values of the game. Over the course of 20 NBA seasons, Kobe’s unsurpassed talent and work ethic made him one of the league’s most extraordinary players with 18 All-Star selections and four All-Star Game MVP awards among his legendary accomplishments. Led by All-Star team captains LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, this year’s All-Star participants will continue Kobe’s legacy of excellence. The All-Star Game debuts a format change along with uniforms that pay homage to Kobe, his daughter Gianna and their seven friends and teammates who tragically passed away last month. The All-Stars will also play for charities benefiting thousands of kids and their families in the Chicago area. In a city where basketball runs deep in neighborhoods that raised current and former NBA stars and took immense pride in the Bulls winning six NBA championships, we are fortunate to have Chicago’s own Chaka Khan, Chance the Rapper and Common lead a renowned group of entertainers providing the soundtrack to a special weekend. We are grateful to Jerry and Michael Reinsdorf and the Chicago Bulls organization, Governor J.B. Pritzker, Mayor Lori Lightfoot, and Chicago’s passionate basketball fans for welcoming us and showcasing this great city’s world-class hospitality. Most of all, we thank you for coming together as one NBA family.
JENNIFER POTTHEISER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Sincerely,
NBA All-Star 2020 ||| 3
Editor in Chief Ming Wong Design Director Kengyong Shao Associate Editors Phil D’Apolito, Joe Fay, John Martin Copy Editor Trevor Kearney
S T N E T CON
Y M FEBRUAR A R G O R P E T IV COMMEMORA 0 2 0 2 R A NBA - A L L - S T
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FEATURES 20
Contributing Writers Michael Bradley, Jon Cooper, Bryan Crawford, Darryl Howerton , Andy Jasner, Jeramie McPeek
14-16, 202
Chicago Basketball Timeline
The highlight of Chicago basketball is definitely the six titles in the ‘90s spearheaded by a certain No. 23, but if you look before and after that highwater period, you’ll see that there has been plenty of notable moments and achievements in the Windy City.
36
A Star Among Stars
Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna, along with seven other victims, were taken away prematurely on January 26, 2020. We celebrate the achievements and moments he had at NBA All-Star, a stage where he was a fixture for his entire 20-year NBA career.
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The Air Above the Windy City
In a city known for its frigid and snowy winters, for one February weekend in 1988, Chicago was warmed up by the supernova of Michael Jordan. Playing on his homecourt, Jordan made All-Star 1988 his personal coming-out party, first showing out in the Slam Dunk Contest before putting his entire game on full display at the All-Star Game.
64
Chi Guys
Like the “L” that connects all of Chicago through its myriad of elevated train lines, the game of basketball is woven into the fabric of the city. From Mr. Basketball himself, George Mikan, to Finals MVPs like Isiah Thomas and Dwyane Wade, and current stars Derrick Rose and Anthony Davis, the city of Chicago and its neighboring regions have long represented the NBA.
74
Y2-OK
After a cancelled All-Star and the retirement of Michael Jordan in 1999, many wondered how the NBA’s premier midseason event would fare as it entered a new millennium. It would be answered with a resounding roar that began on All-Star Saturday Night with what many consider the greatest Slam Dunk Contest ever, followed by an All-Star showcase that assured that the League was in the capable hands of the new century stars who would captivate the next generation of NBA fans.
82
Sweet Strength
Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton was one of the NBA’s early pioneers after he became the first African-American player to sign an NBA contract. On the court, the Chicago native was a strong rebounder, grabbing boards to give his team scoring opportunities, but it was the trail Sweetwater would blaze for future players to get an opportunity in the NBA that was his most lasting impact on the game.
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Remembering David Stern
NBA Legends Bob Lanier and Dikembe Mutombo reflect on the lasting legacy that NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern left behind that will continue to make an impact.
ALL-STAR EVENTS 92 116 118 142 144 146 166 174 178 186 196
Team Giannis Team Giannis Coaches Team LeBron Team LeBron Coaches All-Star Scorecard Rising Stars MTN Dew 3-Point Contest AT&T Slam Dunk Taco Bell Skills Challenge Rules and Referees All-Time All-Star Results and Roster
DEPARTMENTS 3 6 10 12 14 16 194
Commissioner’s Letter NBA Digital NBA G League NBA Cares Jr. NBA NBRPA All-Star Goods
NBA All-Star 2020 ||| 5
BY JERAMIE McPEEK
MVPs. r ta S ll A t s a p for a trio of y ll NBA DIGITAL O ia G c A e p C s I e t H M Cmecoming for many, bu O R F S D I K E M JUSAllT-SStaOr in Chicago will be a ho NBA
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Candace Park
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Isiah Thomas
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lot of passion, and there is a certain amount of loyalty and respect given to the elders who taught us the game and helped pave our way. From the way we were taught the game to the way we played it, it truly requires a devotion from the mind, body, and spirit.” Returning to their childhood home for All-Star 2020 will be special for all three analysts, but it won’t be the first time Thomas has enjoyed the All-Star atmosphere in Chicago. A 12-time All-Star (Thomas was the All-Star MVP in 1984 and 1986) during his Detroit Pistons career, “Zeke” started alongside Jordan in the Eastern Conference backcourt the last time the midseason extravaganza was played in the city in 1988. “Playing in the All-Star Game at our home stadium was everyone’s dream, and I was able to live the dream out with my family and friends [in attendance],” says Thomas, who dished out 15 assists to the likes of Jordan, Larry Bird and Dominique Wilkins. The game, which also featured fellow Turner Sports analysts Charles Barkley and Kevin McHale, was the exclamation point on a weekend that is still remembered more than 30 years later for Larry’s shooting performance in the 3-Point Contest while in his warm-up jacket, and the classic MJ-‘Nique dunk showdown “The weekend was very special—from the 3-Point Shootout to the Slam Dunk Contest—everything was epic!” Thomas says with a smile. “Then we got the chance to attend my good friend Mark Aguirre’s wedding, which just added to the feelings of love and fellowship of being home for such a special weekend.” In addition to the NBA on TNT’s live broadcasts of this year’s NBA All-Star Saturday Night and Sunday’s All-Star Game, NBA TV will provide extensive coverage throughout the weekend. And Turner Sports’ Open Court will record a new episode featuring Thomas, Parker, Wade and other Chicago natives.
NBA PHOTOS; GARRETT ELLWOOD; JESSE D. GARRABRANT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
ll-Star Weekend is always a highlight on the NBA calendar for the Turner Sports and NBA TV crews. But this year’s midseason classic brings a whole ‘nother level of feels for three of our broadcasters who will be on site to cover all the action. It was right here in a Chicago hospital that TNT’s rookie commentator Dwyane Wade was born in 1982, named after his father Dwayne, and had his first name misspelled on his birth certificate. The future 13-time NBA All-Star and 2010 All-Star MVP grew up in nearby Robbins as a huge Bulls and Michael Jordan fan, and played basketball for the Harold L. Richards High School in Oak Lawn, a suburb of Chicago. LA Sparks forward and second-year Turner Sports analyst Candace Parker was born in St. Louis, Mo., but moved to Naperville, Ill., a 40-minute train ride from Chicago, at the age of 2. Like Wade and most Windy City residents in the ‘90s, Parker’s family members were all Bulls fans. But unlike others, her father and big brother both played basketball, with her brother Anthony even spending nine seasons in the NBA. Candace followed in their footsteps, taking up the sport in eighth grade and winning back-to-back state titles at Naperville Central High in 2003-04. She would go on to play in the WNBA, where she took part in five WNBA All-Star Games and was selected All-Star MVP in 2013. Veteran broadcaster Isiah Thomas also started his playing career in Chicago, beginning to entertain fans with his dribbling prowess at the age of 3 at Catholic Youth Organization games. A future two-time NBA Champion, Thomas made his first finals appearance with St. Joseph High School in nearby Westchester, Ill., leading the Chargers to the state title game. “The game of basketball is truly a religion in Chicago,” Thomas says today. “It’s spiritual for everyone who plays. The game takes a
e
Dwyane Wad
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ALWAYS DREAMING
By Jon Cooper
unity. t r o p p o n a s r iring playe p s a s e iv g e s wca SHOMGWMIRNesGorOtsUNBAT G League Winter Sho The
NBA G LEAGUE
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the Skyhawks Dec. 19 win over the Austin Spurs. “It’s an opportunity for you to show every team what you’ve improved on because everyone knows what you could do coming into the season but they have a list of what they expect you to be able do midway through the season. I think a lot of guys did that. Just to know that there’s going to be 30 teams watching you out there gives you a lot of motivation. It’s a pretty good stage. It was a good experience.” That was just as true off the floor. With everyone centrally located, players got to hang out courtside to take in other teams’ games. “It was one of the most fun times I’ve had as a basketball player. I would compare it to being in the NCAA Tournament my freshman year in college. It was that kind of atmosphere,” says Salt Lake City and former Indiana Hoosier forward Juwan Morgan, who played in the Showcase on assignment from the Utah Jazz. “I watched as much basketball as I could. I got to see some of my teammates and people I used to play against growing up so it was a good experience on the court and off the court,” says Skyhawks Two-Way forward Charlie Brown, Jr. “It was very sociable. The G League did a good job with that.” Guard Rayjon Tucker had a particularly good experience at the Showcase. Tucker was valiant in his lone game with the Herd, a 123-115 loss to the Stars, going for 34 points and 7 rebounds. He not only got to catch up with Goodwin, his close friend and former teammate at University of Florida-Gulf Coast, but made acquaintance with Jazz officials, who later signed him to a contract. They’ve since extended his deal after the Jazz started 8-0 with him. He’ll never forget the 2019 G League Showcase. Of course, if he ever does, he has Morgan, now his teammate in Utah, to remind him. “We joke about it all the time,” says Tucker, with a laugh. “He jokes about them beating us and I joke about me giving them 34 points and 7 rebounds. We love it.” “That’s my guy,” says Morgan. “We talk about how we went from trying to score every time against each other to working on combo stuff and doing things in the same workout. It’s crazy how basketball will work that way.”
TODD LUSSIER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The NBA G League is built to showcase budding talent and once a year, it puts a bigger spotlight on the players. The 2019 MGM Resorts NBA G League Winter Showcase was a fourday, 28-game event, held at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Las Vegas from Dec. 19-22, that saw each of the NBA G League’s 28 teams each play two regular season games. The Showcase allows players to showcase their skills in front of scouts from all 30 NBA teams. Current NBA contributors like Rudy Gobert, Clint Capela, Hassan Whiteside, Robert Covington, Patrick Beverley, Gerald Green, Seth Curry and J.J. Barea all played in Showcases during their careers. This season’s Showcase offered a twist. The teams were ranked based on their first 12 games of the season, with the top four squaring off in a winner-take-all format with the top team netting $100,000. This year’s Showcase featured a top four of the Memphis Hustle (11-1), Wisconsin Herd (11-1), Salt Lake City Stars (9-2) and Grand Rapids Drive (8-4). “I think the setup is very good,” says Salt Lake City Stars head coach Martin Schiller, whose team took home the money and the trophy, by topping Wisconsin and then Grand Rapids. “Being in Vegas, shortly before Christmas, it gets more GMs out there. That makes it much more valuable for every participant. Also, the setup, with all teams in the same hotel, how the courts are set up, everything is very neatly organized. You do not have to travel through Vegas to get to the gym. Everything is in the same complex. It is done very well.” Schiller was as big a fan of the final four showdown. “It’s a fantastic format because you play for something right from the get-go and that’s big,” he says. “In a five-month, 50-game season, I think it’s huge to put some salt and pepper to it and play for something in the beginning or in the middle.” The top four teams may have had the tournament money and trophy to motivate them, but the other 24 teams played with that same desire and insatiable hunger that the NBA G League is famous for. The atmosphere at Mandalay Bay made it extra special. “It was pretty cool,” says College Park Skyhawks Two-Way point guard Brandon Goodwin, who poured in a team-high-tying 21 in
ONE TEAM Starter. Reserve. Veteran. Rookie. Trainer. Coach. Fan.
The game of basketball brings no shortage of labels. But the one we never want to lose sight of is the one that unites us all: person. Over the past several seasons, players from across the NBA, WNBA, NBA G League, and NBA 2K League have shared stories about challenges they’ve faced — including anxiety, dealing with injuries, and feelings of depression. These stories have sparked an important conversation. And the NBA aims to build on that conversation by offering programs and resources to support wellness, and by fostering a culture where everyone feels comfortable seeking out the help they need.
TOGETHER Mental health is an ongoing thing. It’s something you’re going to have to maintain, just like you maintain your physical health.
— Imani McGee-Stafford
Dallas Wings, WNBA
FanSided, Sept. 27, 2017
No matter how indestructible we look like we are, we’re all human at the end of the day.
— DeMar DeRozan
San Antonio Spurs, NBA
Toronto Star, Feb. 25, 2018
NBA Mind Health is a platform that helps the NBA family identify and navigate mental health challenges, strengths, and opportunities. Learn more at nba.com/mindhealth.
Need help now? The NBA has partnered with Crisis Text Line to provide fans in crisis with free, immediate, and confidential support.
Are you or someone you know in crisis? Text TEAM to 741741.
Respect for the Game Launched in 2019, the Jr. NBA Respect for the Game initiative promotes sportsmanship, communication, and respect among all youth players, parents, coaches, referees, and fans.
PROMOTING A POSITIVE YOUTH SPORTS CULTURE
LIVE EVENTS
The NBA and WNBA are committed to improving the youth basketball experience by: SUPPORTING PARENTS Jr. NBA Respect for the Game delivers resources to assist parents in positively supporting the development of their young athlete, from navigating the post-game car ride to discussing playing time. DEVELOPING COACHES The initiative provides tools that coaches can use to teach their players life skills and life lessons through basketball as well as guidance on how to appropriately communicate with players and referees.
FORUMS
TRAINING REFEREES Jr. NBA Respect for the Game represents an increased commitment to the development of youth basketball referees.
Interested in bringing the Jr. NBA Respect for the Game initiative to your youth basketball program?
VISIT
JRNBA.COM
RESOURCES
Build a foundation for financial stability. You’ve worked hard to knock down barriers and build a strong foundation in their place. We call that being Empowerful. Buying a home can be your next pillar, helping you build wealth and create a lasting legacy. And we can help you make it happen. Visit our resource center to take action toward your homeownership goals. You’ve come this far. We can help you go further.
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Court Press: NBRPA’s Full event ess Prep for Succ
In addition, the NBRPA has continued to spearhead Legends Care initiatives, which positively impact communities and youth through basketball. These include Full Court Press: Prep for Success clinics for underserved boys and girls, BACK2BACK programs that provide elementary students with back to school supplies, and Thanksgiving Community Assist that gives families in need a Thanksgiving turkey and a dose of holiday cheer. As part of the association’s global mission, the NBRPA has funded trips for players to visit international destinations in 2019, including Japan, China, London and Panama. The growth of the League on an international level has played a major role in the number of trips Legends have taken abroad. 2019 was a successful year of building the NBRPA and its brand, making it more prepared than ever to serve today’s retired players than ever before.
BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
he continuing growth of the National Basketball Association and its rising international appeal has created more opportunities for former players to make lasting change on a global level. The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), representing more than 1,000 former professional basketball players in both the NBA and WNBA, is the only alumni organization of its kind that is directly supported by the NBA and National Basketball Players Association (NBPA). The NBRPA has a two-pronged mission: first, to help former professional basketball players and their families transition to life after the game, and secondly, to positively engage communities through sports. The association prides itself on being nimble and adaptive, ever-changing as the needs of retired players transform over time. Newly retired NBA and WNBA players are transitioning to second careers where they can use their resources, knowledge and experience to make lasting change in their communities. In 2019, the NBRPA leveraged major partnership deals with NASA Goddard Space Flight Center and many other world-renowned brands to offer new opportunities for former players in a multitude of industries. The NBRPA continues to make strides in offering health benefits, higher education and financial assistance, with the goal of building a community for former players to thrive and prosper. In 2019, the NBRPA distributed $210,000 as part of the association’s Dave DeBusschere Scholarship Fund. To date, the NBRPA has awarded members and their families more than $2.5 million in scholarships through the cornerstone initiative.
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26 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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28 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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30 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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Feb. 8, 2005
Nearly 40 years after the Bulls were born, the Windy City was awarded a WNBA expansion team, which would be named the Chicago Sky.
The Sky selected 6-6 center Sylvia Fowles out of LSU with the 2nd overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft. Fowles would play seven seasons in Chicago, twice winning the WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award (2011, 2013), before she was traded to Minnesota in 2015.
May 3, 2011
After averaging 25 points, 7.7 assists and 4.1 rebounds a game in his third season, leading Chicago to a 62-20 record in 2010-11, D-Rose became just the second player in franchise history to be named Most Valuable Player and the youngest MVP in NBA history at 22-years and 7 months.
June 26, 2008
With the first pick in the 2008 NBA Draft, the Bulls selected a Chicago native in guard Derrick Rose out of the University of Memphis. The 6-2 playmaker would average 16.8 points a game, en route to the NBA Rookie of the Year Award.
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RANDY BELICE; DAVID SHERMAN; DAVID DOW; NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; JENNIFER POTTHEISER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
April 15, 2013
The Sky selected Elena Delle Donne out of the University of Delaware with the 2nd overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft. The 6-5 forward would lead all players in fan voting for the WNBA All-Star Game and lead the Sky into the WNBA Playoffs for the first time, earning Rookie of the Year honors along the way.
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A STAR
AMONG STARS From his 18 All-Star selections to his four MVP trophies, Kobe Bryant always put on a performance for the fans and took the showcase as seriously as any Game 7. We look back at the moments that made Kobe the greatest All-Star of all time.
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
By Ming Wong
NBA All-Star 2020 ||| 37
He was just 18, a few months removed from high school, and up to that point, an end-of-the rotation rookie on the Lakers’ bench, but that didn’t stop him from proving his worth among his “peers” in the Rookie Challenge (now known as the Rising Stars). Of course, Bryant was the lone player in the game who came straight out of high school, so those peers were a few years older than him. No matter: Bryant led all players and scored over a third of the West’s 91 points with 31. Unfortunately for Kobe, the West lost the game and Allen Iverson took home MVP honors. His showing at the game did put the world —including the assembled NBA legends present during the weekend for the NBA’s unveiling of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History—on notice that he would be a future star. Not yet introduced to his now-legendary energy and work ethic, many were wondering at the time if Bryant would have any legs left for the Slam Dunk Contest after going all-out for 26 minutes the night before at the rookie showcase. That question would be answered with the first of many trophies he would put into his NBA trophy case. He dazzled with an array of dunks, the first batch with his shooting shirt on before he shed it to unfurl the winning dunk, a between-the-legs showstopper that he punctuates with a brash flex to a crowd that included his prom date Brandy.
1997 1998
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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (7); JEFF REINKING
He had still yet to crack the Lakers’ starting five, but that didn’t stop fans from voting Bryant onto the Western Conference starting lineup. At 19 years and 170 days, Bryant became the youngest starter in All-Star history, and he backed up popular opinion by almost scoring his age with 19 points. Kobe was certainly ready for the moment. Even while playing in the world-famous Madison Square Garden in New York with his childhood idol Michael Jordan on the opposing East team, Kobe showed that he was born ready for the brightest of lights.
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By his fourth NBA season, Bryant resembled and played like a seasoned NBA veteran. He was all of 21 years old, but was beginning his almost two-decade stranglehold on the starting shooting guard spot for the Western Conference.
2000 2001
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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (3); SAM FORENCICH; ANDY HAYT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Up until this point, Bryant’s All-Star showings had been good, but we had not seen a signature game from him at the midseason classic. The 2001 All-Star Game appeared to be the one, with Bryant leading the West to an apparent victory with 19 points and 7 dimes. But just like in the 1997 Rising Stars, it would be Iverson who would snatch away the game MVP honors by leading the East to a furious late-game comeback.
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Playing in his hometown of Philadelphia, Bryant would put on an All-Star show for friends and family. He paced every All-Star with 31 points to go with 5 assists and 5 rebounds, upstaging Iverson in his stomping grounds. Bryant earned his first All-Star MVP honors, but the city was not full of brotherly love, booing the former Lower Merion star (Kobe’s Lakers did beat the 76ers in the recent 2001 NBA Finals) as he accepted the hardware.
2002 2003
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JESSE D. GARRABRANT; SAM FORENCICH; JENNIFER POTTHEISER; NOAH GRAHAM; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (2); JEFF REINKING/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Bryant ceded the shine to his Western teammates in Atlanta, as he opted to play a complementary role in the All-Star Game. Bryant stuffed the stat sheet, though, contributing 22 points and doing a mélange of other things—7 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, 2 blocks—in the double-overtime affair. It would be Jordan’s final All-Star Game, but the ever-competitive Kobe refused to give him anything as he guarded him one final time and made sure his West team came out on top, 155-145.
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For the first time, Bryant played host to an All-Star with the festivities taking place in Los Angeles. Although many anticipated a big showing from Kobe while playing in his own backyard, he only scored 20. But staying on brand, Kobe did focus his intensity on defense, collecting 5 steals, as the West won 136-132.
2004 2005
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SCOTT QUINTARD; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (3); NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Heading into All-Star 2005, the big narrative was the meeting between former teammates Kobe and Shaq on the court, but it would be a non-story once the game tipped off. Contrary to his reputation and something he’ll show in many games when surrounded by talent, Bryant is more than willing to be a facilitator and defensive anchor. He contributes 16 points and led the West with 7 assists to go with 6 boards and 3 steals.
It was a rare poor All-Star showing for Bryant. He couldn’t get his shot to fall in Houston, and this was during a season where he would post the highest scoring average (35.4) of his career and notch his incredible 81-point game just weeks before All-Star. As always, Kobe found other ways to contribute, chipping in 7 boards and 8 dimes, but it would be for a losing cause as the East prevailed 122-120.
2006
CHRIS GRAYTHEN; JESSE D. GARRABRANT (2); ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (2); NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
2007
There were a new generation of stars in the East coming for the throne. Young players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Gilbert Arenas were beginning to establish themselves and looking to come after the 10-year veteran, but Kobe put up a statement game in Las Vegas, the first time All-Star was held outside of an NBA city. In an MVP performance, Bryant reminded the upstarts that he was still in charge with 31 points, 6 assists, 6 steals and 5 rebounds. What might be even more memorable for Bryant took place the night before. Kobe joined dunk luminaries Vince Carter, Julius Erving, Jordan and Dominique Wilkins as judges to the Slam Dunk Contest.
NBA All-Star 2020 ||| 45
Due to a torn ligament in his finger, Bryant only had a token appearance in the All-Star Game in New Orleans, getting a minute of action to start the game before heading to the bench for the remainder of the game. While he didn’t make much of an impact on the court, Bryant would use the starfilled weekend to pass knowledge onto future stars while collecting gems from sagacious vets.
2008 2009
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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (4); NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; GARRETT ELLWOOD/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The Kobe-Shaq rift came to a symbolic end when the two had one last hurrah together as teammates on the All-Star court in Phoenix. It was like the start of the decade again as Bryant and O’Neal (coached by Phil Jackson) combined for 44 points to lead the West charge over the East, 146-119. Afterward, Kobe stayed on-brand, acknowledging the special moment, but refusing to get sentimental over it. “We are not going to go back to the room and watch Steel Magnolias or something like that, you know what I’m saying, crying [and] all that stuff. We had a good time. That’s all.’’
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Bryant’s popularity was sky high as he led all West players in fan voting, but a sprained ankle caused Kobe to miss participating in his 11th All-Star selection. In spite of missing the game, Bryant did try to help teammate Shannon Brown in the Slam Dunk Contest on All-Star Saturday Night.
2010 2011
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BILL BAPTIST; JOE MURPHY; JESSE D. GARRABRANT; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
For the second time, Kobe, who led all players in All-Star voting, would be playing in an All-Star Game in front of his home fans at Staples Center, and this time, he would shine brighter than any Hollywood star. In his best All-Star Game performance, Kobe dropped 37 points, topping all players, en route to a 148-143 West win. In front of Angelenos, he would hoist his fourth All-Star MVP trophy, tying him with Bob Pettit for most all-time.
Playing every game like a Game 7 has been a Kobe trademark, and All-Star Games are no exception to him. In a tightly battled contest in Orlando, Kobe made sure his West squad would prevail. His 27 points certainly helped the cause, but it was his competitiveness—even in an exhibition—that gave the West the edge. This was best demonstrated when he left the game—an All-Star Game!— with a broken nose and concussion after getting hit by Dwyane Wade on a drive to the basket that drew blood. Afterward, Wade reached out to Kobe to apologize and Kobe’s response: “I love it. I’ll see you in a couple of days.” True to his word, the Lakers and Heat met up for a game soon after the All-Star Game, and Kobe dropped 33 points against Wade in a Lakers’ win.
2012 2013
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GARRETT ELLWOOD (2); KENT SMITH; NOAH GRAHAM (2); JESSE D. GARRABRANT; ISSAC BALDIZON; JUAN OCAMPO/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
At this stage in his career—he was 34 and in the midst of getting the Lakers into the postseason—Kobe was trying to conserve as much of himself for the regular season rigors. The fans still wanted to see him in his familiar All-Star spot (he led all players in voting) and do his customary amazing things, but Kobe was more a playmaker and defender, setting up talented teammates (and future MVPs) Kevin Durant, James Harden and Russell Westbrook to carry the scoring load. But when the game got tight, Kobe’s competitive juices took over. He spent the last five-plus minutes of the game locked onto LeBron, picking him up full court and hounding him at every step while fending off picks. It was vintage “Olympic Kobe,” where he served as a pitbull that was unleashed on a hapless offensive player. In those closing minutes, which were the best of the All-Star Game, Kobe blocked two LeBron shots, caused a steal and ensured the West victory. He would be named to three more All-Star teams, but this game was essentially the last “Kobe” game in his All-Star career and reminded everyone what Kobe was about every time he stepped foot onto a basketball court.
After making a sooner-than-expected recovery from a torn Achilles at the end of the 2013-14 season, Kobe was back on track to appear at All-Star per usual, but a separate knee injury forced him to shut it down six games into the season in mid-December. Even though it was announced that he’d miss the remainder of the season, fans still voted him in for the 16th time in New Orleans. Not knowing how many All-Star moments remained, Kobe spent the weekend bonding with past and present All-Stars.
2014 2015
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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (3); JESSE D. GARRABRANT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
In a career defined by toughness and playing through all types of pain and other ailments, Bryant gamely tried to grit through his 19th campaign, but a shoulder injury made it the third straight year where an injury would end his season. Once again, the fans put his name down for the West starting guard spot, but he would be unable to make the trip to New York due to his rehabilitation.
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At the start of the 2015-16 season, Bryant announced that it would be his final one in the NBA. Recognizing the end of an illustrious career and wanting to see their hero one last time in the League’s premier showcase, fans made Bryant the leading vote-getter for his All-Star swan song in Toronto. As much as fans wanted to see another vintage Kobe game, Bryant chose to lift his teammates instead, dropping 7 dimes to go with 10 points in his All-Star finale. Before, during and after the game, Kobe was feted with cheers and acknowledgment from fans and fellow All-Stars, as a sendoff in his 18th and final All-Star Game.
2016
JOE MURPHY (2); JESSE D. GARRABRANT (4); NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; DAVE SANFORD/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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THE AIR ABOVE THE WINDY CITY
Michael Jordan didn’t need any introductions in his home city, but he certainly used All-Star in Chicago to make himself known to the rest of the basketball world.
BY MICHAEL BRADLEY
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henever a star from the NBA’s 1980s—or earlier—is asked about the All-Star Game then and how it differed from the current version, he will almost always describe the thirst each side had to defeat the other and demonstrate conference superiority. Dominique Wilkins clearly states that his Eastern Conference teams wanted to slay their Western counterparts in all of the nine All-Star Games in which he participated. But the man who was dubbed “The Human Highlight Film” isn’t so adamant as to dismiss the entertainment portion of the equation. “It is a show,” he says. “Make no mistake. But it’s a competitive show. That’s what you’re there for, to showcase your talent.” Had Wilkins opted for the “winning is the only thing” approach, it might be a little hard to believe him, especially given his performance in the 1988 All-Star Weekend, when he scored 29 points in the East’s 138-133 win and engaged Michael Jordan in what is generally considered the greatest Slam
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Dunk Contest of all time. In the end, it was Jordan who staged the most impressive show, scoring 40 to earn MVP honors at Chicago Stadium and overcoming Wilkins in the dunk-athon. It was his town and his building, so it followed logically that he would play the leading role. Like his Atlanta Hawks counterpart, Jordan was cognizant of show component of the All-Star affair, but he also wanted to win, especially in front of the Bulls faithful. The weekend also featured Larry Bird’s epic comeback in the 3-Point Contest, which resulted in a third consecutive victory and his iconic finger-toward-the-sky gesture when he nailed the winning shot. It was a perfect weekend for the NBA. Not only did those three hit peak levels,
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NATHANIEL S. BUTLER (3)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Michael Jordan Patrick Ewing (#30) and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (#33)
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like Thomas said, were keenly aware of the mandate to play well and to serve as partners in the NBA’s marketing efforts. At the same time, epic team rivalries were emerging or were already in place: LakersCeltics, Sixers-Celtics, Bulls-Pistons. The result was an opportunity to promote the individuals while also generating excitement for the championship chase among the franchises. “It was fun for the players, and as the years went on it was more enjoyable for the fans,” says Maurice Cheeks, who represented the Sixers in the ’88 game. “It started earlier in the decade and then picked up steam. As the fans got more interested, it really started taking off. “We had the type of individual players who were good enough to be promoted, like Bird and Magic, Isiah and Dr. J. They were so special that they had to be promoted. And their teams had guys who weren’t as big names, but they were clearly still stars.”
When it came to dunking, Wilkins, Jordan, et al. didn’t exactly need to sneak off to local high school gyms and practice new moves. Those guys brought the A-list material every night. “They dunked on people during regular games in the midst of the action,” Cheeks says. “If you have a dunk contest, it’s going to be at a high level with those two guys.” For many basketball fans, the one-night-only ABA Slam Dunk Contest, which took place at halftime of the now-defunct league’s 1976 All-Star Game, was the gold standard for the genre. Julius Erving’s majestic afro flying through the air during his foul-line dunk
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; ANDY HAYT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
but Lakers point guard Magic Johnson handed out 19 assists, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar became the all-time leading All-Star scorer with—what else?—a sky hook in the game’s final minute. A League that just a decade before appeared to be in disarray had demonstrated its significant star power by dominating the sporting landscape for a weekend with a collection of big-name performances. There have been plenty of dazzling and important All-Star gatherings since, but this was the biggest moment for the League as a whole, a perfect confluence of star power and iconic moments that combined to show the sporting world how ascendant the NBA truly was. “The ‘80s era is always referred to as the ‘Golden Era’ of the NBA,” says Isiah Thomas, the Hall of Fame Pistons point guard. “You look at the talent playing and the champions playing. They had won at the high school, college and NBA levels. You had some of the most dominant players to play the game all out on the floor competing. “The NBA had come out of the ‘70s, where people were questioning if corporate America and white America would accept AfricanAmericans on the floor. Would people watch it? We took it upon ourselves to play the game and to sell the game as hard as we could.” At the decade’s outset, the NBA was floundering. Its major-market teams were not successful, and it lacked the big names to capture the attention and imagination of fans across the country. At the time, there were those wondering whether the NBA would be able to generate broad-based excitement. However, by the time the 1988 All-Star arrived, the League had experienced a renaissance previously unseen on the sporting landscape and was being fueled by stars who,
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Jordan
remains an iconic symbol of the fast-and-loose ABA and served as something of a talisman for the league, which was absorbed by the NBA the next year, since it signaled the arrival of several exciting, high-flying players. But after the ’88 showdown between Jordan and Wilkins—which also featured 1986 champ Spud Webb, Portland’s Clyde “The Glide” Drexler and high-flyers Jerome Kersey, Otis Smith and Greg Anderson—zoomed past its ABA ancestor, thanks to the drama, excitement, minor controversy and pure, rim-bruising action. Wilkins had won the ’85 contest, defeating Jordan (a rookie at the time) in the final round. Jordan didn’t participate in ’86, when the diminutive (he
stood 5-7) Webb dazzled the crowd with his weightless forays to the hoop, but Jordan did capture the title the following year, when an injured Wilkins was unable to soar. This would set up the rematch of the titans—and their final dunking showdown— and it didn’t disappoint. The best of the best were competing, even if it meant one of them had to finish second. “They both were absolutely spectacular,” Thomas says. “It was amazing. The building was electric. Fortunately for those of us watching, they had the big screen, so we could see the replays and slow it down. When you watch dunks in real time, you can’t appreciate them. The eye can’t catch everything.” The contest was everything the sold-out, heavily partisan crowd had wanted to see. Jordan and Wilkins made it through the first round without any trouble and joined Drexler and Golden State’s Smith in the semifinals. Jordan didn’t wait to build any drama. On his first dunk, he faced the basket from the free throw stripe, and ever the showman, built up the drama. He slowly and calculatedly backpedaled from the foul line, all the way to the far baseline. It was clear he wanted to replicate the famous foul-line jam Erving had flushed in ‘76. With the runway cleared, like a plane ready for takeoff, Jordan paused before he started his acceleration to the free-throw line. Jordan took off about six inches inside the line (Erving was a bit beyond it, too), cocked the ball back with his right hand (Jordan’s stamp on the iconic dunk), and with tongue wagging, slammed it through for a perfect, 50-point score. Wilkins answered with a powerful one-handed windmill dunk that earned him a 49, and then Jordan was awarded a 48 with his “kiss the rim” dunk, a tomahawk along the baseline. A straight on,
COWENS GETS HIS DUE
D
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The event was a win for Chicago but a loss for basketball purists, who saw a sloppy game highlighted only by Cowens’ performance, John Havlicek’s trademark hustle, Pete Maravich’s ballhandling artistry and a strong performance by Kansas CityOmaha guard Tiny Archibald, who led all scorers with 17 points and was largely unstoppable off the dribble. There were a couple interesting footnotes to the game. Milwaukee all-world center Kareem Abdul-Jabbar didn’t travel to Chicago, for safety reasons, because not long before the game, seven Muslims had been killed in a Washington D.C., community center he had donated. And ABC cut away from its broadcast before halftime to air then-President Richard Nixon’s speech announcing that he would pull the U.S. out of the Vietnam War. The day wasn’t perfect, but Cowens was pretty happy with the outcome. “It was a lot of fun,” he says. Even if the MVP award came a year late.—MB
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; NBA PHOTOS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
ave Cowens figures his winning the 1973 All-Star MVP award was an appropriate payback for what happened the year before. The Boston center had scored 15 points and pulled down a game-high 13 boards to lead the East to a 104-84 victory in Chicago. That was good enough for Most Valuable
Player honors. And it was capable of erasing the sting from ’72. “I think they felt they owed me the MVP,” Cowens says. A year earlier, Cowens had scored 14 points, grabbed 20 rebounds and hit a late game-tying jumper at the Forum in Inglewood to lift the East into a 110-110 tie with the West. But with just 0:01 to play the Lakers’ star Jerry West drilled a shot from the top of the key to lift his team to a two-point victory. Though West finished with a solid 13 points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists, his last-second heroics earned him the individual trophy. Not that Cowens was upset. “To get to play in the All-Star Game against the best players in the world was pretty cool,” he says. The ’73 edition took place in Chicago and wasn’t the tidiest contest. The teams combined for 49 turnovers and made only 39.8 percent of their shots. But the game was a big victory for the Bulls, who had joined the League just seven years prior and were working to gain traction in the NBA and the city.
Dominique Wilkins
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; NBA PHOTOS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Jordan
two-handed rim-rattler off a 360-degree spin brought Wilkins a 47, and Jordan earned the same score with a reverse slam along the baseline. Wilkins finished the semis and set up the much-awaited finals showdown between him and the hometown favorite by scoring a 47 on a two-handed reverse with a double clutch. “We wanted to give the fans what they came to All-Star Weekend to see,” Wilkins says. “It was for the fans, but we wanted to beat each other.” Through the first two dunks of the final round, it appeared as if Wilkins would prevail. He earned 50s by tossing the ball off the backboard, catching it and hammering down a one-hander with some great hang time, and then slamming through a one-handed power windmill along the baseline. Jordan, meanwhile, earned a 50 on his first dunk, a hanging, reverse, two-handed, double-clutch job, but judges graded him at 47 on a two-handed, around-the-world dunk while he traveled right-to-left along the baseline. As one might expect, the locals were not happy. Wilkins had a chance to clinch the title on his third dunk, and his two-handed power windmill was quite impressive. However, perhaps fearing for their safety from what would have most definitely been an angry throng of fans, the judges decided to give him only a 45. “It happens,” Wilkins says now. “I’ll say that.” At the time, he wasn’t so sanguine. And objective observers weren’t so happy with the grade, either. Rick Barry, who was providing commentary for the contest on TBS, said, “Dominique Wilkins got
the short end of a very impressive dunk.” Wilkins was clearly upset by the ruling, and he sat watching Jordan, stone-faced. Jordan needed a 48 to tie and force a “dunk-off.” Anything above that would give him the title. To make sure there could be no debate, Jordan reprised the foul line jam. Though he took off a bit further inside the stripe, he still earned a 50 and the championship. “[Jordan] was going to win it, certainly in Chicago,” Cheeks says. “You knew at some point, he was going to shine. It happens when you go into the city where one guy plays.” Bird provided some pretty compelling drama earlier, during the 3-Point Contest. A year after he entered the locker room before winning the competition for the second straight time and asked his rivals, “Which one of you [gentlemen] is finishing second?” Bird faced long-distance specialist Dale Ellis in the final. In 1986, Bird had drilled 11 in a row to bump off Craig Hodges and blitzed the field—including Hodges and Ellis—in ’87. But in 1988 he found some trouble after a fast start. Heading into his final two racks of five balls, Bird was eight points behind, 15-7. For some, that would have been a problem. For Bird, it was an opportunity. “He was a clutch performer,” Cheeks says. “That’s how he played the game. He may have missed some shots early in games, but when it came time to win, he usually made his shots.” Undaunted by the deficit, Bird, who never took off his Celtics warm-up shirt, made all five shots on the fourth rack of balls to pull within two points. (The fifth, called the “money ball,” was worth two points.) He missed the first two on the final rack and then tied the proceedings with a pair of swishes. As his final shot arced toward the hoop from the left corner, Bird raised his right index finger toward the rafters and walked toward center court with the smallest of smiles underneath his mustache as the ball dropped through. Bird had won his third straight shooting contest—and was still the only victor in any All-Star 3-Point Contest—but would not enter another, preserving his perfect record. “He was nothing short of amazing,” Wilkins says. “He was breathtaking at times. There will never be another like him. Here’s
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Jordan and his dad, James Jordan
Jordan, 1988 Slam Dunk Champion
a guy, who was a 6-10 small forward and did so many things to beat you. His competitive edge was off the charts.” In some ways, the game was a bit of an anticlimax. Even though the players wanted to win, the outcome would not determine playoff seeding or a championship. But that ability to stress the superiority of one conference over another was appealing to the players. They wanted to put on a show for the fans, and they also wanted to compete against each other. Thanks to people like Jordan, Johnson and Thomas, who didn’t want to lose at anything, there wouldn’t be too much frivolity. “It was always like that,” says forward Alex English, who represented Denver in Chicago. “We wanted to show who was the best conference. The prize money wasn’t too big, so it wasn’t about the money. It was about bragging rights and competition.” At halftime, the East held a 60-54 lead, and according to legend, Jordan wasn’t happy. He reportedly told his teammates to play with more fire, because he didn’t want to lose in his own building. Not that legends are always correct. “I never heard that,” Thomas says. Whether Jordan delivered a stirring halftime ultimatum or not, he played with considerable enthusiasm, helping the East to a five-point win that wasn’t too close in the fourth quarter, until a late three-point play by Dallas’ Mark Aguirre and a layup by English with 0:01 left created the final margin. Jordan earned the MVP with 40 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 4 blocks. It was a much more satisfying performance for him than his 7-point effort in his All-Star debut at the ’85 game. Jordan didn’t play in the ’86 game and had just 11 points the following year. The ’88 game would pit two stars that had a special place in the hearts of Chicagoans against one another. On side you had the hometown kid from the South Side, Thomas, and on the other was the supernova Jordan who wore the Bulls uniform. There would be no animosity between the two in the backcourt; Thomas even threw
Larry Bird, 1988 3-Point Contest Champion
Jordan the alley-oop pass that resulted in a dunk for his 39th and 40th points of the game. Jordan was voted MVP by a unanimous, 11-0 vote. “We both had a good game,” says Wilkins, who scored 29 points. “It was Chicago, so it made sense [Jordan] would get a little more leeway to do his thing. He got hot, and that was it.” The West didn’t have anybody that approached Jordan—or even Wilkins—in terms of total points. But Utah’s Karl Malone did score 22 and grab 10 boards, and seven other West players ended up in double figures. The big story on that side was Johnson, who handed out 19 assists and kept everybody on his team well-fed. “He was Showtime,” English says. “He always wanted to give the fans a good show. You had to be aware that he was going to pass the ball. You had to be out there running with him and reacting to him.” Johnson’s LA teammate, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, was playing his penultimate All-Star Game, and during the last minute, Lakers coach Pat Riley, who was directing the West squad, called the Big Fella’s number, and Abdul-Jabbar worked in the low post against New York’s Patrick Ewing, who was playing in his first All-Star contest. With 0:44 left, Abdul-Jabbar hit a sky hook to reach 247 points for his All-Star career, breaking Oscar Robertson’s mark by one. “Kareem was such a pillar and inspirational leader for us, particularly myself,” Thomas says. “He was someone who when I first came into the League tutored me and counseled me. He was always there if I needed him. I was always a fan of Kareem, and I rooted for him. “Nobody had a greater basketball career than Kareem. He won four championships in high school, three in college and six NBA championships. He’s the all-time leading scorer. There has never been a more dominant player from high school through the NBA.” It was fitting one of the seminal All-Star weekends would end with a legend’s big shot. It had been a weekend of highlights, and Abdul-Jabbar’s hook was one more to remember.
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NBA PHOTOS; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; GARY DINEEN; BRIAN SEVALD; CAMERON BROWNE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
CHI GU
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UYS
New York City has a longstanding reputation as being the Mecca of basketball. Los Angeles stakes its claim as being the current hotbed of hoops. But right in the middle lies Chicago, a city that has birthed its share of tough and accomplished ballers.
BY DARRYL HOWERTON
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M Anthony Davis
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It is only fitting Davis returns with 2020 hindsight to host this Chicago All-Star Weekend some 69 years after Mikan made his 1951 NBA All-Star Game debut, while also representing the Lakers (Minneapolis, back then) and the southwest Chicago metropolitan area (the city of Joliet, to be exact, some 45 miles on the outskirts of town). What better way to connect Chicago’s modern stars to the ones of a bygone era—including 1940s and ’50s Chicago pioneers Mikan, Red Kerr and Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton. As Ultimate Hoops’ Luke Hanlon once wrote, “Though basketball was born in Springfield, Isiah Thomas Massachusetts, it was definitely adopted and raised in Chicago, Illinois.” Hanlon’s statement is supported by The Chi’s pre-NBA history that saw The Windy City start its own YMCA basketball league back in 1893, only 15 months after James Naismith invented “Basket Ball” at the Springfield YMCA. With basketball having a home in the city, the talent pool naturally developed from within, birthing the Savoy Five, a group of Chicago basketball players that would soon be renamed the Harlem Globetrotters once London transplant and savvy marketer Abe Saperstein discovered their entertainment value as a touring basketball team throughout the ’20s, ’30s, ’40s and decades beyond. “I learned how to dribble from Marques Haynes and Curly Neal of the Harlem Globetrotters,” says Thomas. “Abe Saperstein and his daughter Eloise Saperstein would bring the Globetrotters to the Martin Luther King Boys Club. They would put on exhibitions and skill-development lessons. So when you see me patting the basketball really low while falling on the floor and getting up, all those were skills and drills that I learned from Marques Haynes and Curly Neal. “Dribbling with my fingertips, patting it like a piano—those were
JESSE D. GARRABRANT; NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; ROCKY WIDNER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
ost NBA All-Star Games have roots that touch down somewhere near Chicago, whether you time travel back to the pioneer days to seek out Hall of Fame center and four-time NBA All-Star George Mikan (Joliet, Illinois) in the 1950s, or to the ’70s to discover Hall of Famers and seven-time All-Star centers Jack Sikma (Saint Anne) and Dan Issel (Batavia) or to the ’80s to find Hall of Fame guards Maurice Cheeks (a four-time All Star from Chicago) and Isiah Thomas (a 12-time All-Star from Chicago) along with DePaul’s homegrown dynamic duo of multiple All-Star forwards Mark Aguirre (Chicago) and Terry Cummings (Chicago). “There were players that came long before me from Chicago, and there will be players long after me who represent the city,” says Dwyane Wade (Chicago), a three-time NBA Champion, future Hall of Famer and recently retired 13-time All-Star. Indeed, the list of young players who have put the Chicago Tough Brand on All-Star Weekend is long and prestigious, with icons from The Chi playing in 38 of the past 40 NBA All-Stars to date. “I think it’s important that we get the classification of Chicago basketball and take that out,” says Thomas, who is regarded as both the dean and king of Chicago basketball. “We have what we call Illinois basketball. When we talk about Chicago basketball, we really talk about the state of Illinois because all of us compete in the IHSA—the Illinois High School Association, where we compete against everybody across the state. “Now the hub, where everything centers at, is Chicago. So the Issels and Sikmas and everyone else, we all competed against each other and that’s what makes basketball in the state so competitive. There may be a player in Springfield and he or she makes the trek to Chicago, which is the center to compete and play. That’s how we all recognize and know each other.” It is a lineage that connects Illinois greats from Mikan to Sikma, just as it links Chicago-bred All-Stars from Thomas to Juwan Howard to Garnett to Wade to Davis, along with many other stars in almost every All-Star Game the past four decades. The 2020 showcase is no different with L.A. Laker and seventime All-Star Anthony Davis representing his Chicago’s Perspectives Charter School, where A.D. was the nation’s No. 1 senior prospect from the Class of 2011.
Derrick Rose
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CHICAGO AREA ALL-STARS
HOMETOWN (HIGH SCHOOL)
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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; DICK RAPHAEL/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
George Mikan* Joliet (Joliet Catholic) Nat Clifton* Chicago (DuSable) Don Sunderlage Elgin (Elgin) Red Kerr* Chicago (Tilden) Lee Shaffer born in Chicago Cazzie Russell Chicago (Carver) Flynn Robinson Elgin (Elgin) Dan Issel*# Batavia (Batavia) Roger Brown# Chicago (Engelwood) Jack Sikma* Saint Anne (Saint Anne) Rickey Green Chicago (Hirsch Metro) Maurice Cheeks* Chicago (DuSable) Isiah Thomas* Westchester (St. Joseph) Mark Aguirre Chicago (Westinghouse) Terry Cummings Chicago (Carver) Doc Rivers Maywood (Proviso East) Kevin Duckworth Dolton (Thornridge) Jeff Hornacek LaGrange (Lyons Township) Hersey Hawkins Chicago (Westinghouse) Tim Hardaway Chicago (Carver) Juwan Howard Chicago (Chicago Vocational Career Academy) Thomas and Tim Hardaway Kevin Garnett Chicago (Farragut Career Academy) Michael Finley Maywood (Proviso East) skills learned from the Globetrotters and Antoine Walker Chicago (Mount Carmel) born in Waukegan Eloise Saperstein, who also introduced us to Shawn Marion Oak Lawn (Richards) John McClendon, and John McClendon was Dwyane Wade Derrick Rose Chicago (Simeon Career Academy) a student of Naismith who taught basketball. Anthony Davis Chicago (Perspectives Charter School) That was the West Side of Chicago.” And as the Globetrotters’ national appeal Source: Basketball Reference grew in the “Sweetwater” Clifton era in the ’40s, * denotes Hall of Famer soon rose another transcendent star from the All players listed above played in at least one NBA All-Star Game, with the exception of those who played in an ABA All-Star Game (listed with #). All players listed in order of when they entered NBA. outskirts of Chicago in Mikan. This tall, lanky Joliet boy who could not make his high school team soon was able to full circle to the Windy City, just like the dominate collegiate games at the Chicago university DePaul, once Chicago Loop itself. he filled into his eventual 6-10, 245-pound frame. Mikan later would develop relationships There, Mikan became the 1944 and 1945 NCAA Player of the with Chicagoans young enough to be Year, leading head coach Ray Meyer’s DePaul squad to the 1945 his grandsons, as he did with Garnett, National Invitation Tournament at a time when the NIT was as big who spent his senior high school year at Chicago’s Farragut Academy, before as the NCAA championship. Once Mikan went pro in 1948-49, it did not take long for the skipping college to go straight to the pros. bespectacled giant to become the NBA’s first dominant player, There, KG was drafted fifth by the leading the Minneapolis Lakers to five League championships (1949, Minnesota Timberwolves in 1995, placing 1950, 1952, 1953 and 1954) as the center became the undisputed Garnett in the same hometown as the GOAT of his era. transplanted Minneapolis legend. “It was a different League back then, a different time,” reflected “I call him the Original Big Man,” Mikan at the 1996 NBA All-Star Game, where he was recognized as says Garnett, who stood at 6-11, 240 pounds in his prime as a 2003-04 NBA one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. “To think that I would one day be honored as one of the 50 MVP in Minnesota. greatest at an event like today’s was just unthinkable,” said Mikan, “Without the Original Big Man, we would upon reflection. not have The Mikan Drill, the up-andThe Joliet giant would pass away in 2005 at age 80, but not unders, the jump hooks. He paved the before seeing many others follow in his footsteps, including Issel way for us all.” and Sikma, two more Chicago suburban All-Star centers for the ’70s Mikan may be the first, but he was not NBA/ABA generation. the only Chicago baller to carry such clout. Doc Rivers Mikan also saw other DePaul alums—stars like Aguirre and Many of the city’s best looked out for Cummings—keep Chicago basketball on the map as Meyers and their Chicago brethren and brought them along on their ride to college his new local recruits marched to the 1979 Final Four and later on scholarships and stardom and beyond. to NBA greatness. William Dise and Cheeks started making national noise from No matter how you traced the path, the cycle always came back Chicago’s DuSable High in the early ’70s with Dise’s clout getting
CHICAGO AREA PLAYERS IN THE NBA TODAY JaVale McGee Patrick Beverley Derrick Rose Evan Turner Anthony Davis Robert Covington Jabari Parker Iman Shumpert Richaun Holmes Frank Kaminsky Jahlil Okafor Sterling Brown Abdel Nader Jalen Brunson Jevon Carter Talen Horton-Tucker John Konchar Alfonzo McKinnie Zach Norvell Kendrick Nunn Admiral Schofield Max Strus Matt Mooney
Chicago (Hales Franciscan) Chicago (John Marshall Metropolitan) Chicago (Simeon Career Academy) Westchester (St. Joseph) Chicago (Perspectives Charter School) Hillside (Proviso West) Chicago (Simeon Career Academy) Oak Park (Oak Park and River Forest) Lockport (Lockport) Lisle (Benet Academy) Chicago (Whitney Young) Maywood (Proviso East) Skokie (Niles North) Lincolnshire (Adlai Stevenson) Maywood (Proviso East) Chicago (Simeon Career Academy) Chicago (West Chicago) Chicago (John Marshall Metropolitan) Chicago (Simeon Career Academy) Chicago (Simeon Career Academy) Zion (Zion-Benton Township) Hickory Hills (Amos Alonzo Stagg) Niles (Notre Dame Prep)
Source: Basketball Reference All players listed in order of when they entered NBA.
BRIAN DRAKE; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Terry Cummings
so big that he was able to get West Texas A&M to bring along his friend on scholarship, only to later see Cheeks blossom into a future NBA All-Star and Hall-of-Fame point guard himself. “I grew up on the south side of Chicago: Robert Taylor Homes, 5266 South State, Apartment 308, to be exact,” said Cheeks at his Hall-of-Fame induction speech. “Living there taught me how to interact with all kinds of people. It taught me to look out for others and they did the same for me. “William Dise is out here tonight, a teammate of mine at DuSable High School who was one of the best and recruited by all the best schools. William could have gone anywhere, but he told Coach Ron Ekker he would only come to West Texas State if he took me—a shy, skinny kid who was not heavily recruited for basketball scholarships. So I must thank William because it was his urging that led to my basketball career.” Perhaps the most iconic group of friends who represented Chicago better than any other subset was the NBA All-Star quartet of Thomas (Westchester’s St. Joseph High Class of 1979), Aguirre (Chicago’s Westinghouse High Class of 1978), Eddie Johnson (Westinghouse High Class of 1977), Cummings (Carver High Class of 1979) and Doc Rivers (Maywood’s Proviso East High Class of 1980). “But there were so many more players m my class—players who also became NBA champions, for instance: Mark Aguirre and I won twice; Eddie Johnson, who was on Mark’s high school team, won once; Doc Rivers, Craig Hodges, Darrell Walker. I could go on with names: Rod Higgins, Mo Cheeks, Mitchell (J.J.) Anderson, Hersey Hawkins and so many more who came through the pipeline and succeeded. “Earlier in this interview, you called me the king of Chicago basketball,” says Thomas. “Just understand that when I was growing up, the king on a daily basis was getting his butt handed to him by these players.” Chicago’s basketball lore became so storied Hollywood began
using the city itself as a character in its many storylines to come. In the pilot of The White Shadow, a popular TV show from 1978 through 1981, the program centered around a former Chicago Bulls player turned L.A. high school coach, with the late Ken Howard playing that main character, Coach Reeves. In A Mother’s Courage: The Mary Thomas Story , Disney commissioned a Disney Sunday Movie to be filmed in 1989 on Isiah Thomas’ mother Mary— played by Alfre Woodard—who raised a family in the tough West Side Chicago neighborhood. Thomas traces Hollywood’s introduction to the Chicago basketball scene back to his Mark Aguirre youth and Chicago Bulls Hall of Famer Chet Walker. Thomas and his friends use to regularly stake out the neighborhood Chicago Stadium games to get a glimpse of their basketball heroes. “That’s all we had in the neighborhood to look to,” says the 58-yearold Thomas. “We would wait for the Bulls to come out of the stadium and then ask Chet Walker, Bob Love and Jerry Sloan for autographs. I’d be taking popcorn out of the trashcan—when it would get dumped after games in a big plastic bag. Great memories. “Chet Walker somehow got to know my family, our story, and he convinced Ted Field, of the Marshall Field family, to work with Disney
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ISIAH THOMAS: WHY WE LOVE THE CHICAGO BULLS
Kendrick Nunn
to do The Mary Thomas Story and what Mary Thomas represented in the community and the neighborhood.” In 1994, filmmakers Steve James, Frederick Marx and Peter Gilbert won the Audience Award for Best Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival for Hoop Dreams, their movie on two Chicago basketball players—Arthur Agee and William Gates—who dreamed of going pro one day. But perhaps no film captured the essence of Chicago basketball at its peak as well as the 1996 sports comedy Space Jam, starring Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan, Chicagobred comedic actor Bill Murray and the entire Looney Tunes cast of cartoon heroes. The live-action animation became the highest grossing basketball movie of all-time, making $230 million worldwide. The rest is Chicago/Hollywood history, peaking in the ’90s—not only with Space Jam, but also the NBC Sports ratings juggernaut featuring Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, back when the organization was winning six titles in eight seasons. The high school hoops scene was just as happening, with the ’90s bringing us a new cast of future NBA players and All-Stars in Garnett (Farragut), Howard (Chicago Vocational Career Academy), Michael Finley (Maywood’s Proviso East), Antoine Walker (Mount Carmel), Nick Anderson (Simeon), Quentin Richardson (Whitney Young), Jannero Pargo (Robeson), Corey Maggette (Oak Park and River Forest), Eddy Curry (Thornwood) and Tony Allen (Crane Technical Prepatory) just as another group of Chicagoans were exiting the college ranks, like Jeff Hornacek (originally from LaGrange’s Lyons Township), Hawkins (Westinghouse), Kendall Gill (Rich Central) and Tim Hardaway (Carver). “There we so many great players coming out of Chicago back then,” says legendary scout Ed Gregory, formerly of the Golden
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State Warriors. “We drafted Tim Hardaway at No. 14 in 1989, based in part by how well he played in the Chicago Pro Summer League after his junior season in UTEP. “People who saw him play in Chicago said he’d play right with those pros. So that just made me more excited about him, going into his senior year.” Iron sharpens iron, as Thomas attests with Aguirre, just as Garnett attests with Wade, as he did on his NBA TV show Dwyane Wade & Kevin Garnett: Players Only. On that February 2019 episode, the two Chicago icons from different timelines—Garnett transferred from his South Carolina school his senior year in the mid-’90s, while Wade played in
Tim Hardaway
OSCAR BALDIZON; JON SOOHOO/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
This is what you have to understand about the Chicago Bulls and how important they were to the community and still are. The Chicago Bulls were two blocks away from the Black Panthers headquarters on Madison and Western. When the Black Panthers started the free breakfast program, I was one of the kids going there to eat breakfast. My mom was also working with Fred Hampton. Chicago Stadium was two blocks away from the Black Panthers headquarters. During that time, the Chicago Bulls never left the West Side of Chicago. When every other NBA team and organization was leaving their roots—and this is why we love the Chicago Bulls—they stayed. You probably can remember the old Chicago Stadium where you had skid row on one side and you had the West Side on the other side and you had the projects around both sides. The Chicago Bulls never left the community. Now what you have—in what used to be called skid row—is now the West Loop. Now the projects have turned into neighborhoods and communities, with the Chicago Bulls being the pillar of that. They never left. That is why we have so much respect for the Chicago Bulls and what they stood for. In a period of time when everyone left, they stayed. [Ed. Note: Chicago Stadium was officially closed in 1994, demolished in 1995 and now serves as a parking lot for United Center, which has served as the Bulls’ home arena since the 1994-95 NBA season.]
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Information for Patients about LIVALO® (pitavastatin) tablets:
Please read this information carefully before you, or your family member, start taking LIVALO and each time your prescription is refilled in case anything has changed or new information has become available. This information is not meant to take the place of discussions with your healthcare provider. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if there is something you do not understand or if you want to learn more about LIVALO. Always follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking LIVALO. Please see Consumer Brief Summary Information continued on the back of this page.
LIVALO® (pitavastatin) tablets (LIV-ah-lo) — Consumer Brief Summary Information, Cont’d What is LIVALO?
• LIVALO is a prescription medicine that belongs to a group of cholesterol-lowering medicines called “statins.” • LIVALO, along with diet, lowers total cholesterol, “bad” cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides. It can also raise “good” cholesterol (HDL-C).
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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of all drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Can other medications affect my treatment with LIVALO?
Yes, other medications may affect LIVALO; you should consult with your doctor if you take any of the following: • Cyclosporine • Erythromycin • Gemfibrozil • Other drugs for high cholesterol (i.e., fenofibrates, niacin) • Rifampin • Colchicine
What should I tell my doctor before taking LIVALO? Tell your doctor if:
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LIV-RA-0126 PI of 10/2019
• You are currently taking cyclosporine.
What are the most common side effects of LIVALO? The most common side effects of LIVALO in clinical studies were: • Back pain • Constipation • Diarrhea • Muscle pain • Pain in the legs or arms This is not a complete list of side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider for more information. The information provided is not complete. Please see the full Prescribing Information available at www.LivaloRx.com. Manufactured for: Kowa Company, Limited Tokyo 103-8433 Japan Manufactured by: Patheon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Cincinnati, OH 45237 USA or by Kowa Company, LTD Nagoya, 462-0024 Japan Marketed and Distributed by: Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. Montgomery, AL 36117 USA © Kowa Pharmaceuticals America, Inc. (2019) — All rights reserved. LIV-MT-3758 December 2019
GARY DINEEN; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Jabari Parker (as a Chicago Bull in 2018)
Patrick Beverley
the South Side Chicago suburbs during the late ’90s—talked about how they cut their teeth and grew their reputations on different sides of The Chi. “My buzz was different than the Kevin Garnett/Ronnie Fields buzz,” says Wade on the show, recalling the dynamic duo that ruled the Chicago scene for most of the 1994-95 season. “My buzz was different because I came from the suburbs. It ain’t the city. It’s not Whitney Young. It’s not Westinghouse. It’s not those schools. People are looking at it, like, ‘He’s good, but he ain’t playing against the talent in the city. So how good is he?’ “So I’d show up at Kennedy King College on Saturdays to prove myself.” “Kennedy King,” says Garnett, interrupting with a laugh of recollection. ”They used to ship us up over there too on Saturdays.” “I had to,” says Wade. “It was the only way I could get respect. I had to show up at Kennedy King. I had to show up at Lakefront Chicago. I might be living in the suburbs, but I had to show this is where I’m from. I’m from the city. I played with that kind of toughness.” Garnett adds, “That’s what I like to say. When I hear Chicago Tough, that’s where that comes from.” Thomas hears the words of his younger generation and concurs, relating KG and D-Wade’s story to that of his own and generations before. “A lot of what was going on in the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s in the West Side and South Side of Chicago—and in Chicago, period—was sports helping us break down barriers,” says Thomas. “When we were in the inner cities and there was White Flight to the suburbs, sports is what brought us all together. “The Grunwalds, the Sikmas, the Causcasian white player,” says Thomas, referencing Glen Grunwald and Jack Sikma, “he would come back to the city and we would play together and integrate and break down barriers. But in that, we all had to cross these invisible boundaries that had been set up by society. So the toughness that all of us had to have to go into each other’s neighborhood just as when we went to the suburbs and get chased out of those communities. And you would have to fight. That was just part of the day in terms of sports if you visited another community. “It came from a yearning that basketball and sports birthed—a
want to be the best and collectively come together. It really parrots what Martin Luther King and great civil rights leaders were articulating in our communities, which our music was reinforcing. It all culminated in basketball and us coming together at a very young age that still exists today.” The heart of the city beats strong in Chicago’s 2020 players, too. Look at AD and you see a guard groomed on toughness that surprisingly grew into a Lakers 6-10 power forward who makes All-NBA and All-Defense teams with equal aplomb. In three-time All-Star Derrick Rose, you see not only the cream of the crop, when the Simeon Career Academy grad won the 2010-11 NBA MVP award for his hometown Chicago Bulls, but you also see the Detroit Pistons’ 2019-20 NBA Sixth Man of the Year candidate who can come back from whatever injury that dared strike him down thereafter. Look at Patrick Beverley and you see the kid who took his battle wounds at Chicago’s Marshall High and lived longer than the criticism, surviving the rough roads of Ukraine and other professional leagues to establish himself as the L.A. Clippers’ starting point guard and All-D terror for others now. No matter where you look—in each of the active 23 Chicago natives in the NBA today—you are bound to find a compelling story that revolves around Chicago Tough, family support and eventual success, whether we look at the royal lineage of JaVale McGee, son of basketball Hall-of-Fame mother Pamela McGee, who persevered to play on two NBA Championship teams in Golden State before joining the Lakers in 2018-19; to Sacramento Kings forward Jabari Parker, son of former NBA pro and Chicago streetball legend Sonny Parker, who survived the two ACL injuries in his pro career to go on and fight another day in the NBA, which is similar to the survival spirit of Parker’s Simeon Career Academy teammate Kendrick Nunn, who just this season broke on to the NBA scene as a legit 2019-20 All-Rookie candidate, despite not being drafted in 2018. These stories in The Chi connect, multiply and re-connect in so many ways that even we cannot document all in this single story here. And let’s not forget Ben “Benji” Wilson, a highly touted player from Simeon who was tragically shot as a senior. Wilson’s death reverberated for years in Chicago and especially at Simeon, where standout players would don Wilson’s No. 25 in memory, a tribute that continues into their NBA careers. This would include future NBA players Anderson, Rose, Parker and Nunn. It is part of the reason why so many Chicago icons come and go and come back to their city every year, whether it was through the legendary pickup games Jordan ran every summer at his trainer Tim Grover’s gym in the ’90s to the annual NBA Draft Combines that are run out of Chicago every year. The Chi is the melting pot of American basketball, with the Michael Jordan statue in front of the United Center arena serving as a Statue of Liberty for hoopers everywhere. “That is what I grew up on—Michael Jordan and Chicago basketball,” as Kanye West says, when we ask his favorite sport. “We all connect with basketball because, if you are from The Chi, that’s what we grew up on. That is what we know.” And at 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend, every Chicagoan bowed their heads and said, “Amen.”
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The Nba Tipped Off The New Millennium With An All-Star For The Ages In Oakland. BY ANDY JASNER
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he 1998-99 NBA season will forever be remembered as one of the most exciting in history with a 50-game regular-season sprint and a dynamic postseason. In the end, the San Antonio Spurs celebrated the championship by grinding out 16 playoff wins in this lockout-shortened season, which ultimately forced the cancellation of All-Star Weekend. Late commissioner David Stern had built All-Star Weekend into an international spectacle and a true iconic annual event. Having the weekend wiped out wasn’t an easy decision. When order was restored and All-Star Weekend was reinstated the following season in Oakland, it was a natural reaction to wonder how the event would be viewed. Would fans support the event like they had in the past? Would the weekend generate the type of revenue as it had before? Would the players and coaches revel in being a part of the event once again? Would it be a gigantic success? Yes, yes, yes and yes.
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All-Star 2000 co-MVPs, Tim Duncan and Shaquille O’Neal
Allen Iverson
Iverson
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ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (2); ROCKY WIDNER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
The first half of the season was ultra-exciting with a mix of veterans and young stars-in-the-making returning the NBA to glory in the aftermath of the lockout. Spurs center Tim Duncan and Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal, two titans who would be wrestling for title glory throughout the decade, would go on to share Most Valuable Player honors in the All-Star Game. Watching those two stars compete as teammates and ultimately lead the West to a 137-126 victory over the East was a treat. Duncan scored 24 points on 12-of-14 shooting and added 14 rebounds, and looked as if he had barely broken a sweat. He was THAT good. “Having played alongside Tim, I was always fascinated by how he was able to play, do so many incredible things and hardly look like he was trying,” says Spurs teammate David Robinson, who was also an All-Star but was limited by a shoulder injury. “We saw it every day in practice and we saw it in every game he played. He was so fluid on the court on both ends. His footwork was impeccable. His ability to break his man down in the low post and score off the glass was
amazing. It was no different in the All-Star Game. It was a blessing to witness. “Tim wouldn’t say it, but he wanted to prove to the world that he was the best player. Obviously, Shaq was on his way to the Hall of Fame. Tim was a very proud player, and even though he wouldn’t be verbal about, his play showed it.” O’Neal also performed beautifully and finished with 22 points and 9 rebounds. Who can forget his self-professed 357-degree slam dunk on a breakaway? For a player his size to rumble down the court, display ballhandling skills and then nearly break the backboard was an image that will be etched in fans’ minds for years to come. The Lakers would soon be on their way to three consecutive championships and O’Neal’s overall skills would be a prelude to what was en route. O’Neal and Duncan would become the third tandem to share MVP honors, joining John Stockton and Karl Malone in 1993 and Elgin Baylor and Bob Pettit in 1959. The 2000 All-Star Game would be Stockton’s final appearance in the February classic. “To be honest,” Stockton told the Salt Lake Tribune, “I didn’t notice anything different. The whole weekend was special. I tried to soak everything in like I always did. Playing with the greatest players in the world, it was always special. The fans were engaged the whole weekend. We as players had a great time. The game was competitive. There were so many positives.” Toronto Raptors guard Vince Carter, who captured a legendary dunk contest, was the leading vote-getter with 1,911,973. Philadelphia 76ers guard Allen Iverson made his debut for the East in the All-Star Game and scored 26 points to go along with 9 assists. One year later, Iverson would lead the Sixers to the Finals, where they would fall to the Lakers in a memorable five-game series. Iverson was electric and displayed his whirling dervish ability to get to the basket and score in spectacular fashion. “What stood out to me about Allen in All-Star Games was his ability to compete and continue to compete harder than any player on the court,” says former coach and broadcaster Doug Collins. “Allen didn’t care that it was the All-Star Game with millions of people watching. He didn’t care that it was an exhibition. He played defense. He played the same hard-nosed way like he always would. He just wanted to win so badly. He would do anything to make it happen while putting on a show at the same time. He had a lot to prove since coming into the League and you could see that smile on his face the whole time since he was playing with the best players in the NBA. “You could just see how much it all meant to him to be included with the likes of Shaq, Duncan, Grant Hill and all those great players. I always enjoyed watching A.I. perform in the All-Star Game.” The West controlled the tempo, for the most part, on its way to
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with a 360-degree windmill, but with the degree of difficulty dialed up as he went against the grain (turning against his momentum) while simultaneously adding a windmill finish. The second dunk, Carter started behind the basket, took two steps in then stopped quickly while still underneath the rim, jumping out toward the basket and rotating his body 180 degrees while windmilling it through with ferocity. The crowd exploded. It was at that point that the whole world realized Carter would ultimately be the winner even though the contest wasn’t over. Some argue Carter’s third dunk was the best. Utilizing McGrady as a passer, Carter would catch a low bounce pass, put the ball between his legs before flushing it down. After the dunk, McGrady would metaphorically and figuratively walk away in disbelief, knowing that his cousin had the contest wrapped. Even Vince knew as much, iconically pointing two hands skyward and then gesturing with his hands “it’s over”—now an internet GIF to declare when a verdict has been reached before the jury has decided. You had to feel for Stackhouse, who had the unenviable draw of following Carter all night. When he followed up with a one-footinside-the-free-throw-line dunk—a dunk that is typically a crowd-pleaser—the crowd was still buzzing about Carter’s remix to Isaiah Rider’s “East Bay Funk.” Carter’s fourth dunk puzzled The Arena in Oakland crowd when he unfurled it live. Initially, it looked like a standard dunk, but it ended with Vince hanging on the rim off the elbow, leaving even the pros and the TNT broadcast trying to process what they had seen. It wasn’t until the replay that people realized Carter went elbow-deep on the attempt, eliciting a louder response with each view. The final dunk could be described as anti-climatic after the show he had put on,
but it wasn’t without fanfare. Before the dunk, Carter surveyed and measured the court, directing camera crews and other VIPs to clear a path. This prompted his peers to all move out of their seats to get closer to the action. Like Dr. J and Mike before him, Carter went the full-length of the court for the free-throw line attempt. He jumped a full foot inside the line, but he added a wrinkle by going up with both hands, which makes it a little harder since you can’t use your upper body to get extra lift. Finishing second was Francis, who in any other year probably would’ve won with his valiant showcase of dunks. “Watching Vince was amazing, seeing this young superstar start to shine,” says Jamison, his teammate at North Carolina, and the player that Carter was swapped for on draft night. “His dunks looked like he had been practicing them forever. He just made them look so easy when everyone knew they were far from easy.” Carter raised the trophy over his head, walked off the court and eventually bumped into Julius Erving, one of his favorite players of all-time. They shook hands, took pictures and talked for a few minutes. In the moment, it was hard to realize the symbolism of what Carter’s performance would mean for years to come. Twenty years later, the dunk contest still exists, along with the entire All-Star Saturday night. The specific events have been tweaked at times through the years. It’s safe to say that Carter saved the event and took the League to another level of popularity. Following the lockout, the NBA needed an infusion of excitement like the dunk contest provided. Carter delivered—in every way possible. The fact that Carter is still playing— becoming the first player ever to compete in four different decades—well, that’s beyond amazing. It is Vinsanity.—AJ
JESSE D. GARRABRANT (7)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
he Slam Dunk contest had become stale. Ratings were down. Interest was waning steadily since the highwater 1988 contest in Chicago that featured two dunk legends, Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins duking it out above the rim. The NBA was coming out of the lockout and there was a time leading up to All-Star when the Slam Dunk contest wasn’t even considered a guarantee to be held in Oakland. Reinstating the event turned out to be one of the best moves in NBA history. A bit of an overstatement? Maybe. But Vince Carter, then a rising star with the Toronto Raptors, basically saved the event on Feb. 11, 2000. In many ways, Carter saved the entire weekend and drove the NBA back into the international spotlight. The dunk field included Carter and an unfortunately overshadowed bunch: There was Carter’s teammate Tracy McGrady (who also happened to be his cousin), Houston’s Steve Francis, Detroit’s Jerry Stackhouse, Philadelphia’s Larry Hughes and Golden State’s Antawn Jamison. But Jamison had a knee injury and was replaced by Charlotte’s Ricky Davis. While Carter would ultimately be the winner of this legendary dunk contest 20 years ago, it wasn’t as if he spent countless hours after practice in the gymnasium going through an array of dunks. In fact, then-Raptors head coach Butch Carter despised seeing his players dunk in practice. He would fine them up to $500 if they disrupted practice by throwing down a dunk. “Every now and then after practice I’d do a few just to fool around when everybody’s leaving and then leave it alone,” Carter told ESPN.com. “It wasn’t, ‘I spent 30 minutes a day trying.’ You just didn’t have that time.” During the dunk contest, Carter unveiled a wide variety of moves, each of them with a unique VC stamp on it. He kicked it off
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Vince Carter
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Gary Payton
show. Amazingly, Carter is still active not to mention the first player in history to play in four decades. “What a career that Vince has had and is still having,” says Walton. “Back then, he was a rising star in every way and showcased his skills in a variety of ways. He was sensational in all areas. It wasn’t just the dunks, though they were simply special. It was the ballhandling, passing, driving to the basket with vengeance, dunking, shooting threes … all of it. The whole package he was that season and in those early years.” The West featured two first-time All-Stars in Rasheed Wallace and Michael Finley. Wallace, then with the Portland Trail Blazers, deserved the All-Star nod after a dazzling first half. Wallace would go on to be a polarizing—and fascinating—player. Yet he was deserving in every way of this All-Star berth, a precursor to an incredible career.
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (2); ANDY HAYT/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
the 11-point victory. The whole League was a winner with the return of All-Star Weekend. The fans were treated to a show, which ultimately is the goal of the entire weekend highlighted by the game. “The stars were aligned on the court and it was wonderful,” says Hall of Fame center-turned-broadcaster Bill Walton. “You had Shaq and Duncan, Iverson and Grant Hill and so many other rising stars and cagey veterans like Reggie Miller and John Stockton. In Oakland, it was a beautiful thing. Jason Kidd and Gary Payton had homecomings. The lockout was long over. It was time to get back to basketball at the midseason point for the players to put on a show. “The show was phenomenal. The show was brilliant. The big guys—Shaq and Duncan—were on their way to legendary careers. Iverson, oh, Iverson—wow, was he great. The little guy mixed it up with the trees. The oohs and ahhs from the fans…what memories.” The West held a two-point advantage at the end of the third quarter and pulled away in the fourth. Dikembe Mutombo, who earned an All-Star nod as a member of the Atlanta Hawks, doesn’t recall every game he has ever played. But he does recall this particular All-Star Game. The memories are vivid for Mutombo, who would be traded to the Sixers in the middle of the next season when he would battle O’Neal in the Finals. “The joy on the court in that game, and really the whole weekend, was what I remember so much,” says Mutombo, who had 4 points and 8 rebounds in 16 minutes. “I remember players smiling a lot. I don’t remember anyone having a bad word to say. The pure joy was there for all of us. We got to know each other and talked about life. I remember Vince Carter’s dunks in the contest. I remember Shaq and Duncan and obviously Iverson. That guy, Iverson, he was something to see. “A great weekend for all of us. Just a great time.” Now that the 2020 All-Star Weekend has arrived, it’s almost unfathomable that the ’00 event is now 20 years old. Time truly does fly. So did Carter in the dunk contest and the game. So did Iverson. So did Jason Kidd. The best players in the League—and the world—were putting on a
Jason Kidd
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN (2)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
O’Neal
Duncan
“Looking back, it was an honor to be there,” says Wallace, who starred at Simon Gratz High and the University of North Carolina before heading to the NBA. “It was a thrill to be on the same court as Shaq and Duncan and Mutombo and Iverson. It was my first time and I’ll never forget it.” When it comes to the All-Star Game, rhythm and tempo can be awkward. Defense can be spotty. Intensity can be missing. Twenty years ago, the teams played hard. Maybe not for every minute. But when the game was close in the fourth quarter, the competitiveness showed. Players clamped down on defense. It was evident that both teams wanted to win. For Stern and other League executives, the images of competition and joy had to be both exciting and exhilarating. It also had to be a relief one season following the lockout. “For sure, All-Star Games could be glorified exhibitions, but it was as if there was an extra sense of pride from everyone,” says former Orlando Magic vice president Pat Williams. “Kind of like it was a team goal. Everyone was on the same page. The fans were back. The League had to be happy. The season went well and the players put so much work in. Vince Carter’s dunk contest will be a popular memory. I really think it started from training camp across the board and went to All-Star Weekend and on through the Finals.” Television ratings slipped as a result of the lockout. Anytime there’s labor unrest, there will be fallout and ramifications. But it was hard to tell on the court the next season and into All-Star Weekend. Movie stars were out in full force. All-Star Saturday night was legendary with Carter shining. Even the Rookie-Sophomore (now Rising Stars) game was thrilling with then-rookie/now Sixers general manager Elton Brand standing out for the Chicago Bulls. The All-Star Game was everything the League could have hoped for. It helped repair some of the damage from the lockout. The best of the best competed—perhaps at a higher level than in previous All-Star Games. “So many players from that weekend would go on and accomplish so much in the coming years and a lot of it involved us with Iverson, Mutombo, Carter and Ray Allen in the next year’s playoffs,” says
Aaron McKie, Iverson’s Sixers teammate and now the head coach at Temple University. “Our series against the Toronto Raptors and the Bucks and then the Lakers with Kobe and Shaq… having all these guys together that weekend, looking back, it’s like a ‘wow’ moment. It’s like you’re in awe watching all these guys at the same time. Allen would tell me all the time how incredible that whole weekend was, being a part of it, watching the 3-Point Shootout and the Dunk Contest. The NBA was in very, very good shape and I think a lot of it had to do with that weekend.” The weekend was a precursor to Kobe and Shaq and the beginning of the Lakers’ minidynasty under head coach Phil Jackson. They sure looked as if they were having fun that whole weekend. Three championships later, there was so much to celebrate. With so much time to reflect now, that dynamic duo began its journey with a memorable All-Star Weekend. For Hall of Famer Jerry West, who spent countless years as a player and executive with the Lakers, the memories remain. It would be the start of another fabled Lakers’ title run, once again fueled by a pairing of a dominant big man and dynamic guard, and West was the architect of the team “It was part of a special year for us, not because of that but because we won our only championship,” West told the Los Angeles Times. “That year, little did we know that would hold a lot of memories for me, particularly with winning a championship…Shaq and Kobe were on their way to winning multiple championships. I would hope the memories last forever. They had their issues and ups and downs, but it did culminate with multiple championships.” As the panic over Y2K began to dissipate, the NBA was back in a large way. Shaq and Duncan led the way. Iverson was on the way to becoming an MVP candidate of his own. The stars were aligned on the court. The stars were also aligned off the court with sold out crowds all weekend cheering. Carter’s dunks are still being talked about 20 years later. So is Shaq’s magnificent dunk at the All-Star Game. Not all memories are strengthened over time. Some go away over time. Not the memories from the 2000 Alll-Star Game and the entire weekend. They’re gaining momentum 20 years later. They’re almost certainly going to be getting stronger five, 10, even 20 years from now in ’40. “It’s like the UCLA days for me, those memories get better every day with John Wooden, my teammates, the great fans we had,” says Walton. “After a lockout, the NBA came back strong and Vince Carter’s dunks helped. The weekend was amazing. Years can run together and not all games are memorable. That weekend was.” Fast forward to now and new memories are on the horizon. They may not be indelible images. The truth is, that won’t be known for years. What is known is this: the first All-Star Weekend in Y2K was everything the NBA hoped for. And then some.
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH SPOTLIGHT
BY BRYAN CRAWFORD
SWEET STRENGTH
Chicago’s Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton’s broad shoulders helped him do heavy work in the basketball paint—and also lifted a future generation of NBA players.
C
hicago doesn’t always get the respect it deserves when it comes to the game of basketball. It’s an iconic city that can boast about being home to some of the game’s best players and teams. In spite of the catchy nickname, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton is a name most basketball fans probably won’t recognize. Clifton played in an era that has long since faded from the collective memory of the basketball community at large. But regardless of his actual legacy, Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton is a name that every basketball fan should know because he was a pioneer on two of the most recognizable basketball teams in the world: The Harlem Globetrotters and the New York Knicks. Prior to becoming a professional basketball player, Clifton was a two-sport star at DuSable High School on the South Side of Chicago. Some say he got his nickname for his love of soda, but actually, he would put sugar in a glass of water and drink it. Hence the name, “Sweetwater.” He lettered in both baseball and basketball, but it was on the court where his talents stood out. First and foremost, Clifton at 6-8, had huge hands in which he used to manipulate the ball and essentially get off any shot he wanted to. And at his size, Clifton wasn’t just a post player. Like most people who grew up playing basketball on the streets of Chicago, Clifton’s game had a flash to it that was certainly ahead of his time—not just because he could score, but because he was also an exceptional ballhandler and passer for a player of his size. His senior year of high school, DuSable won the coveted city championship, led by Sweetwater’s 45 points. At the time, Clifton was called one of the greatest players in Illinois high school basketball history. After graduating from DuSable in 1942, Clifton played one season at Xavier University in New Orleans before being drafted into the military in 1943. After a three-year tour that had him stationed in Europe during World War II, Clifton returned home to resume his basketball career. Clifton would play the role of trailblazer, notching a number of celebrated “firsts” for black athletes of that era. He would become the first black player to suit up for the Dayton Metropolitans in Ohio. Then he would go on to star with the all-Black New York Rens. But Clifton’s big basketball break came with the Harlem Globetrotters, a team whose origin story may be unfamiliar to most. The Globetrotters weren’t founded in Harlem, New York. The Globetrotters originated on the South Side of Chicago in 1926 as the “Savoy Big Five” because their games were played in the Savoy Ballroom as a way to keep attendance in the facility up. Initially,
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the team was made up primarily of players from Wendell Phillips Academy High School. The team wouldn’t become known as the “Harlem” Globetrotters until Abe Saperstein changed the team’s name to the “New York Harlem Globetrotters,” with Harlem being added to the name because the New York neighborhood was the center of Black culture at the time. All of the early Globetrotters players at the time were Black, and some of the game’s greatest players of that era wore a Globetrotter uniform, including Wilt Chamberlain, Marcus Haynes, Meadowlark Lemon, Goose Tatum and Fred “Curly” Neal. Clifton played for the Globetrotters from 1948-1950, earning an estimated $10,000 per season, the highest salary paid to a Black basketball player at that time. And in the summers between the seasons, Clifton played first base for the Chicago American Giants in the Negro League, while also spending time in the Major League
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Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson. “He was a pioneer for me and other African-Americans.” Clifton also had a huge personality, was very outgoing and was a generally likable person. Dr. Worrill says that had he come along in today’s era, he probably would’ve been one of the games most marketable players because of his demeanor, and penchant for wearing stylish suits. “He was a trendsetter, and definitely ahead of his time. His style of play had class, but he was also very athletic and agile. Off the court, he carried himself as a professional and people just gravitated to him,” Dr. Worrill explained. Despite being a tremendous pioneer for black players at that time, Clifton, once his playing days were over, slipped out of the spotlight and spent the remaining days of his life as a cab driver in Chicago, mostly because he had no NBA pension coming after retirement and he had to find a job. Clifton, because of his popularity and the fact that he was still a staple in the community, could’ve easily gotten a job working for the city of Chicago, but that’s not who he was. Clifton passed away behind the wheel of his cab on August 31, 1990. He was just 67 years old. Although not a household name, Clifton’s legacy in the game of basketball has continued on long after his death. In addition to being inducted in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2014, he was also inducted into the Chicago 16-inch Softball Hall of Fame, and the Black Athletes Hall of Fame. The Associated Black Charities of New York named one of their Black History Maker Awards after Clifton. And the New York Knicks renamed their “City Spirit Award” after Clifton as well. Clifton’s career numbers may not be awe-inspiring or jaw dropping, but his legacy, impact and contribution to the game of basketball go far beyond his per-game averages. As we celebrate the return of the All-Star Game to Chicago, and recognize the city for its contribution in helping expand and grow the game, Clifton should be remembered as someone whose impact is felt to this very day, even if people don’t realize it.
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Baseball farm system, where he hit .304 and drove in 86 runs. In the summer of 1950, the NBA, which was founded four years earlier, held a draft. And while Clifton went undrafted, his Globetrotters contract was sold to the New York Knickerbockers for a reported $12,500, of which Clifton received $2,500. That didn’t sit well with him for the remainder of his life, along with the fact that the all-white teams the Globetrotters faced during that time, were paid much more than the Globetrotters players. Still, that transaction made Clifton the first black player in the history of the NBA to sign a contract. Clifton made his NBA debut as a 27-yearold rookie center and helped lead the Knicks to the NBA Finals that year (they would fall to the Rochester Royals in seven games). Clifton would go on to spend eight years in the NBA (seven in New York and one with the Detroit Pistons), and was even named an All-Star in 1957 when he was 34 years old; he scored 8 points and corralled 11 rebounds in his lone All-Star appearance. As a pioneer to the game, Clifton’s playing days were certainly not without controversy. As the first Black player to sign an NBA contract, Clifton essentially got along with his white teammates, and people from all walks of life in general. However, his basketball prowess didn’t stop him from being on the receiving end of racial slurs and jokes. Once Bob Harris of the Boston Celtics called Clifton a racial slur; Sweetwater knocked him out cold. “You only had three Black guys playing in the whole League, and those were crazy days. But all the racial problems really made it crazier,” said Earl Lloyd during the career retrospective of his 2014 Hall of Fame induction. Lloyd and Chuck Cooper also broke the NBA’s color barrier about the same time, but Clifton was the elder statesman. “Somebody has to carry the banner for you. Sweets was legendary, and you can learn from legends. The man was a tremendous leader,” Lloyd added. “Sweetwater was one of the toughest guys to ever play in the NBA,” Hall of Famer and legend in his own right, Bill Russell said during Clifton’s career retrospective. “Although he was soft-spoken, he was really tough. Sweetwater was a man, at a time when that wasn’t fully accepted. But that was the kind of image that the young, Black players needed.” A knee injury forced Clifton to officially retire from basketball, but after his playing days were over, Clifton would still be a presence on the South Side of Chicago. “I was a little kid when Nat Clifton would come out to the park on 71st Street, and show us a few tricks,” said Dr. Conrad Worrill, a former professor at Northeastern University on the North Side of Chicago, and director of the Center for Inner City Studies, who was also a serious high school basketball player himself. “The experience was just exhilarating because he was one of ours and he had achieved success in the game of basketball, at a high level,” Dr. Worrill continued, adding, “He was our celebrity in the community.” “It was a great thing, as an African-American kid, to grow up in America during those times, and to see Sweetwater Clifton,” said
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REMEMBERING
DAVID ST NBA Commissioner David Stern and Bob Lanier at an NBA Cares playground dedication at Lake Forest Charter School in New Orleans in 2007.
BY BOB LANIER
W
hen people ask me about David Stern’s legacy, I find it hard to fully wrap my arms around it. He was so integral to sports, politics, our local communities and taking the NBA brand overseas. He truly shared hope all around the world. When he first called me, after I had retired, I was quite surprised in all honesty because we had some tough negotiating sessions for the collective bargaining agreement [in the early 1980s, when Lanier headed the players’ union and Stern was the NBA’s executive VP]. But then we met and talked about his vision of getting more young people connected to the NBA. We were initially focused in NBA team markets, but then it expanded exponentially to address important social issues around the world. When I look at all we have done with regards to social responsibility initiatives, I am in awe. I don’t know how David saw all this.
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The reality is that he was the only one who could make something like that work. He was committed to making a difference and he did so aggressively, bringing along our marketing and media partners. We were able to touch people not only inside the game but people outside of the game. David became my mentor, but he was also so much more. He was like an older brother. Anytime I needed something, he would always be the first one to offer to help. He could be gentle, soft-spoken and caring, but then he had that fiery side that would give you a good kick when you needed it. He always said to me, “Community relations is about how you make people feel.” He really believed in that and he was so right.
TERN
NBA Legends Bob Lanier and Dikembe Mutombo reflect on the lasting legacy that NBA Commissioner Emeritus David Stern left behind that will continue to make an impact. Dikembe Mutombo (top left), then of the Denver Nuggets, poses for a photo with South African President Nelson Mandela and NBA Commisioner David Stern (center) during a dinner as part of a tour by NBA players, coaches and executives to Johannesburg, South Africa, in 1993.
BY DIKEMBE MUTOMBO
T
he year was 1991. I had just been drafted by the Denver Nuggets when I learned that David Stern wanted to take a trip to Africa with me. I was like, “Whoa, that quick?” Yes, that quick. One year later, there we were in Kenya, in Mombasa, in Dadaab to visit the refugees fleeing the violence in Somalia. We went on to Zambia and South Africa, where we met with President Nelson Mandela. “We really need to do something here,” David said to me. “Africa is really a very special place. We will figure it out.” That is when I knew that David Stern was not just about basketball. He was about changing the world through the game of basketball. He wanted to make sure every kid could play basketball no matter where they lived and that the game would serve as a bridge to bring people together. And he did just that. In 1993 and 1994 he assembled Project Teamwork, where he led a team to South Africa including Lenny Wilkens, Wes Unseld, Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and myself. The NBA built several new basketball courts throughout communities such as Soweto and Alexandria. Having seen it up close, I can testify to the work Commissioner
Stern did to take the NBA Global. I traveled the world with him, seeing firsthand the NBA’s initiatives and the impact we are having in communities. Not only has the game grown dramatically, from Africa to South America to Asia, but through Basketball Without Borders we have been able to influence positive social change through community development partnerships and projects. Neither one of us thought the game was going to grow that fast. For me, the greatest part of his enormous legacy is the fact that almost anywhere you go in the world today, you will find basketball being played and the NBA working to make a difference. From day one when I met him, I felt very close to him. His arms were always open. To see someone embrace you, accept any advice that was coming from you, listen to you, and then try to go and do what you’re asking of him, it made you feel like you were talking to your father or your uncle. I loved him so much, and I know he loved me, so much so that he became a father figure to me. This March, when the Basketball Africa League tips off, no doubt I will be sad that David will not be there to see his vision realized. But when we play that first game on the continent, we will look up to the sky and say, “Thank you, David. Thank you for everything you have done.”
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BASKETBALL IN NEW YORK
CITY NOW ON VIEW AT MUSEUM OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK Exhibition includes photography, video, memorabilia, and interactives Buy tickets at mcny.org 1220 FIFTH AVE AT 103RD ST NEW YORK, NY 10029
Basketball in New York is a saga set in schoolyards, street corners, gymnasiums, and packed arenas, where a shared sports culture cuts across race, ethnicity, class, and language. City/Game: Basketball in New York captures the excitement and evolution of this quintessentially urban game and the energy of the diverse New Yorkers who play it and love it. Relive historic highs and lows, and revisit legendary players like Knicks legend Walt “Clyde” Frazier, Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, WNBA trailblazer Nancy Lieberman, as well as current stars such as Queens-born Liberty star Tina Charles and the city’s latest headline player, Kevin Durant. Durant of the Brooklyn Nets. Registered in the U.S. Patent & Trademark office.
Janette Beckman, Julien and Damien Basketball, Houston Street, 1992. Museum purchase, 2018.26.9 Photo © Janette Beckman
City/Game is made possible in part by ESPN, the NBA, the WNBA, Clara Wu Tsai and Joe Tsai of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, Elizabeth R. Miller and James G. Dinan, the National Basketball Players Association Foundation, Con Edison, the Lily Auchincloss Foundation, and An Anonymous Family Foundation. Additional support provided by Crystal McCrary and Raymond J. McGuire, Estee Tobaly and Henry Swieca, Marc Lasry, Nathan Romano, Mitchell S. Steir/Savills, Heather and William Vrattos, the Honorable Diana Ayala - New York City Council District 8, Mindy and Jon Gray, Andrea London, and other generous donors.
A companion book, CITY/GAME: BASKETBALL IN NEW YORK —edited by The New York Times sports columnist William C. Rhoden and with a foreword by Walt Frazier—is now available at mcny.org/shop.
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LeBron James, West All-Star top vote-getter
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RULES AND OFFICIALS Giannis Antetokounmpo, East All-Star top vote-getter
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NBA All-Star 2020 ||| 91
TEAM GIANNIS
S I N N GIA PO M N U O K O T ANTE ard Position: Forw Height: 6-11 Weight: 242 6-1994 Birthdate: 12ce Country: Gree th Year in NBA: 7 All-Star: 4th
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or the second year in a row, Antetokounmpo is the leading votegetter in the East, giving him the responsibility of assembling a team for the All-Star Game. One of the most unique players in the League, the Greek Freak is an amalgamation of stars past and present. Antetokounmpo’s length and almost 7-foot height combined with his ballhandling draws comparisons to Kevin Durant, as both use their physical advantages and skills to get to any spot on the floor to get their shot off. In other ways, Antetokounmpo resembles Shaquille O’Neal with his domination in the paint. Unlike O’Neal, Antetokounmpo rarely plays with his back to the basket in the post, but like the Hall of Fame center, they’re both effective at getting near the basket and finishing at a high percentage, namely dunks. Antetokounmpo has already matched the legendary center in MVP Awards, securing his first one last season, but he still needs to catch up on Shaq’s three All-Star Game MVPs, but at just 25, he’s got time on his side.
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TEAM GIANNIS
JOEL D I I B M E
I
n an era of basketball where lineups are getting smaller and guards dominate the action, Embiid stands as a colossus in the wave of small ball. While not quite the traditional throwit-into-the-post center, Embiid still embodies a lot of the past titans like Shaquille O’Neal, Hakeem Olajuwon and David Robinson, pivots who would dominate the paint on both ends. Embiid also displays a touch of the modern big man, as he is able to float out to the 3-point line and hit from deep, face up and dribble past his counterpart, and run off the pick-and-roll. It’s this combination of old and new that makes Embiid a tantalizing package to build around. For the season, Embiid is putting up 23.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.3 blocks a game. Along with fellow All-Star Ben Simmons, Embiid has Philadelphia eyeing a return to the NBA Finals, a stage the Sixers have not seen since 2001.
ter-Forward n e C : n io it s o P Height: 7-0 Weight: 280 -1994 Birthdate: 3-16 as College: Kans th Year in NBA: 4 All-Star: 3rd
FERNANDO MEDINA/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
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TEAM GIANNIS
L A C PAS AM SIAK
N
ow in his fourth NBA season, Siakam continues to take the next steps to stardom. One season after winning the NBA’s Most Improved Player award, Siakam makes his first All-Star appearance. The dynamic big man is averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds and 3 assists per night—increasing his numbers across the board after his breakout 2018-19 season. Over his first two seasons, the first-round draft pick put up just 6 points and 4 rebounds a game while playing 18 minutes before sliding into Toronto’s starting lineup last season. In his new role he flourished, tallying 17 points and 7 rebounds each night and helping the Raptors secure their first NBA Championship last season. Now the franchise’s focal player, the young star has solidified his spot in Toronto, playing over 35 minutes per game, while continuing to develop into one of the top young players in the League.
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 -1994 Birthdate: 4-2 ico State Mex College: New th Year in NBA: 4 All-Star: 1st
FERNANDO MEDINA/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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TEAM GIANNIS
A B M KE ER WALK rd Position: Gua Height: 6-0 Weight: 184 -1990 Birthdate: 5-8 cut ecti College: Conn th Year in NBA: 9 All-Star: 4th
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here was a time when Walker was perennially the “best player that wasn’t named an All-Star,” and now he’ll be making his fourth consecutive appearance and the second as a starter. In his first eight NBA seasons, what initially held Walker back from All-Star was Charlotte’s lack of success as a team. Now in his first season in Boston, Walker was brought on to be the stabilizing veteran to help tie the Celtics’ young core together. Halfway through the season, Walker has been as good as advertised. Individually he’s putting up 22.3 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds a night, but more importantly, Walker’s presence has coincided with an improvement from his younger teammates like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, both of whom are in the midst of career years. This domino effect has kept the Celtics being in the running for one of the top spots in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
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TEAM GIANNIS
TRAE G N U O Y
F
ollowing a solid rookie season, Young has turned on the afterburners for his sophomore campaign. The 21-year-old has increased his nightly scoring from 19 points per game a year ago to 29 points per game so far this season, all while maintaining his averages of 8 assists and 4 rebounds and increasing his field goal percentage. The Hawks find themselves sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings at the midway point of the season, but they have found themselves a true star in Young to lead their team into the future. The young point guard has blossomed into the player Atlanta fans hoped he would be—and he’s only in year two. The 2018 fifth overall pick is putting on a show nightly, having scored 40 or more points half a dozen times already this season. The huge step Young took this year has earned him his first All-Star game appearance, with more likely in his future.
rd Position: Gua Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 -1998 Birthdate: 9-19 a hom College: Okla nd Year in NBA: 2 All-Star: 1st
NED DISHMAN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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ter-Forward Position: Cen Height: 6-9 Weight: 255 -1997 Birthdate: 7-18 cky College: Kentu rd Year in NBA: 3 All-Star: 1st
M
any credit Miami’s surprising rise in the standings this season to the arrival of All-Star Jimmy Butler to South Beach, but even the ever-confident Butler will cede some of the shine to Adebayo. The third-year big man might not be a household name outside of South Florida, but his improvement as a player has reaped big dreams for Heat Nation. There is no task the do-it-all forward will not take on. Score points? He’s averaging 16 a night. Clean the glass? Almost 10.5 a game. Make plays? He’s good for 4.7 helpers per contest. Play defense? Adebayo is the team’s defensive anchor, able to switch off from a big to a guard, a key strength for any elite defender in today’s NBA, and is averaging a block and steal for the season. This All-Star selection is the first of many more accolades for Adebayo this season. At this rate, he’s on pace for Most Improved Player and a spot on the All-Defensive team.
ISSAC BALDIZON/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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TEAM GIANNIS
Y M M I J R E L T BU
T
here were bigger player movement splashes made this past summer, but none have been as great a fit as Butler in Miami Heat. Butler has a reputation for being one of the hardest workers in the League, embracing the workouts and practice time as much as the actual games; Miami’s longtime team president Pat Riley is legendary for his boot camp style commitment to conditioning. Together the two have been a match made in basketball heaven. In Butler, the Heat have a star who is an on-court embodiment of the team’s architect, and the results have been fruitful. Butler has helped the Heat to a 34-15 start midway through the 2019-20 season. For his part, Butler has put up 20.7 points and a career-best 7.1 rebounds and 6.5 assists per game over the same time frame. After missing out on last year’s All-Star Game, Butler is making his fifth appearance in the midseason classic.
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-7 Weight: 230 4-1989 Birthdate: 9-1 e uett College: Marq th Year in NBA: 9 All-Star: 5th
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RUDY T R E B GO
N
ow in his seventh season in the NBA, Gobert—the two-time defending Defensive Player of the Year—has been selected to his first All-Star Game. The Jazz center is an elite defensive stalwart who makes it incredibly challenging for anyone to score at the rim, where he defends more shots than anyone in the League (9.5 per game) and averages 2 blocks a game (fifth in NBA). Behind Gobert’s defensive leadership, Utah is a top-10 team in defensive rating (106.8). Gobert is also a near guaranteed double-double each night on offense, averaging 15.7 PPG and 14.6 RPG (second in the NBA). No player in the League shoots more efficiently (68.6 from the field) or generates more screen assist points (17.5 PPG). Gobert and his Jazz teammates have been nearly unstoppable for the past two months, at one point winning 20 of 23 games, putting themselves in position for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs, and maybe much more.
ter Position: Cen Height: 7-1 Weight: 258 6-1992 Birthdate: 6-2 ce Country: Fran th Year in NBA: 7 All-Star: 1st
MELISSA MAJCHRZAK/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
106 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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TEAM GIANNIS
N O D BRAN RAM ING
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-7 Weight: 190 -1997 Birthdate: 9-2 College: Duke th Year in NBA: 4 All-Star: 1st
T
108 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
LAYNE MURDOCH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
he arrival of Ingram as an All-Star takes the sting out of the Anthony Davis trade that the Pelicans made last summer. The wiry Ingram was always filled with potential, prompting the Lakers to select him with the second overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. Ingram started his career off with a modest 9.4 points per game in his rookie campaign, but from there he displayed steady growth in years two and three with 16.1 and 18.3 PPG respectively. Now the focal point of the Pelicans’ attack, Ingram is able to fully extend his wings. His long limbs and strides enable him to create space against defenders and his burgeoning touch from deep (he’s shooting 40 percent from 3-point) adds a wrinkle to his game that makes him a tough cover. The pairing of Ingram along with Zion Williamson is one of the more enviable young duos that could possibly rule the League shortly.
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TEAM GIANNIS
KYLE Y R W O L
E
ver since Lowry arrived to the North, only good things have happened to him. It was in Toronto that he was finally given the keys to a full-time starting point guard spot; it was in the 6 that he became an All-Star for the first time in 2015 (and he’s been an All-Star every season since); it was in a Raptors uniform that he was named an All-Defensive player; and it was in Tdot where he earned his NBA Championship ring. Lowry is showing no signs of slowing down, even as he is about to turn 34 before the playoffs, a place where many thought the Raptors wouldn’t be contending for after the departure of Kawhi Leonard. But with the help of Lowry and fellow All-Star teammate Pascal Siakam, the Raptors will be in the midst of a title defense.
rd Position: Gua Height: 6-0 Weight: 196 5-1986 Birthdate: 3-2 nova College: Villa 4th Year in NBA: 1 All-Star: 6th
JEFF HAYNES/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
110 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
TEAM GIANNIS
S I R H K N O T E IDDL
M
M
iddleton is following up his first All-Star appearance with a return engagement, and for good reason. This season, the Bucks forward has improved his scoring efficiency from the previous year. Middleton’s field-goal percentage is up (from .441 to .503); 3-point shooting percentage is more accurate (.378 to .432); and his free-throw shooting more steady (.837 to .900)—resulting in an uptick in scoring (from 18.3 to 20.2). Middleton’s growth as a scorer has made teams think twice about stacking the deck against Giannis Antetokounmpo when he drives into the paint. Another area of improvement for Middleton has been on defense. His defensive rating has been a sparkling 103 after 40 games, making him one of the key components of the Bucks’ League-leading defense.
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-7 Weight: 222 -1991 Birthdate: 8-12 M s A& College: Texa th Year in NBA: 8 All-Star: 2nd
CAMERON BROWNE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
112 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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TEAM GIANNIS
N A V O DON HELL MITC
M
itchell makes his All-Star debut in just his third season in the NBA. After a 20.5 PPG rookie campaign where he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting, Mitchell has quickly blossomed into one of the most dynamic young shooting guards in the League. The 2018 Slam Dunk champion, Mitchell’s offensive game goes beyond the dunk. A dynamic and high-volume scorer his first two seasons, Mitchell has honed his game, improving his offensive efficiency with better shot selection and by becoming more adept at the 3-point line. For the season, Mitchell is on pace to set a career high in field-goal percentage at .461 after 38 games. In addition to utilizing his first step and athleticism to get to his spots on the floor, Mitchell has taken the responsibility of setting up his teammates as he’s averaging a personal-best 4.4 assists. Look for the man nicknamed “Spida” to do some superhuman feats this weekend in Chicago.
rd Position: Gua Height: 6-1 Weight: 215 -1996 Birthdate: 9-7 ville College: Louis rd Year in NBA: 3 All-Star: 1st
MELISSA MAJCHRZAK/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
114 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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CHES A O C S I N N A I TEAM G
Nick NurthrernsIowae
L
ast year, in his first season as the head coach of the Raptors, Nick Nurse brought home the Larry College: No O’Brien Trophy to Toronto. It’s hard to top winning ad Coach: 2nd Year as NBA He a championship in your first season, but so far Nurse is t Head Coach: 1s Year as All-Star compiling quite an encore. Despite losing NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard to free agency, and even though Kyle Lowry, Pascal Siakam, Fred VanVleet, Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka all missed at least 10 games this season, the Raptors have the third best record in the NBA at 36-14, earning Nurse his first All-Star coaching opportunity. Before leading the Raptors to their historic Finals victory last season, Nurse was an assistant under Dwane Casey from 2013-18. During that span, the Raptors made the playoffs and won at least 48 games each season. His first head coaching job came at Grand View University when he was only 23 years old. He then spent over a decade coaching in Europe, mainly in the British Basketball League. Nurse also coached both the Iowa Energy and Rio Grande Valley Vipers in the NBA G League, winning titles with the Energy in 2011 and Vipers in 2013. This season, Nurse has the Raptors entrenched in the top half of the Eastern Conference standings, looking for homecourt advantage in the playoffs. He has continued to guide the breakout of Siakam to superstar level, as last year’s Most Improved Player makes his first All-Star game appearance. Nurse will be a strong candidate for Coach of the Year as Toronto prepares to defend its title come playoff time.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Adrian Griffin
Nate Bjorkgren
Jim Sann
John Bennett
John Corbacio
Brittni Donaldson
Fabulous Flournoy
Jon Goodwillie
Jamaal Magloire
Tyler Marsh
Patrick Mutombo
Mark Tyndale
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
116 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Arnold Lee
John Ligmanowski
RON TURENNE (9)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Jeff Tanaka
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
TEAM LEBRON
N O R B LE S E M A J
I
n season 17, James is defying time, maintaining his almost two-decade hold as one of the top players in the game. The leading vote-getter for the Western Conference, James is playing in his 16th All-Star Game. He sits just three appearances away from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record of 19 and is showing no signs of slowing down. As of mid-January, the 35-year-old forward is still putting up numbers right around his career averages, pouring in over 25 points per game to go with 10 assists (a career high) and 8 rebounds. In his second season with the Lakers, King James and his squad are sitting at the top of the Western Conference standings, looking to make a run at James’ fourth NBA title. The fans in Chicago will be treated to a show from the three-time All-Star Game Most Valuable Player who has averaged 24.1 points per game in 15 All-Star contests.
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-9 Weight: 250 30-1984 Birthdate: 12- cent-St. Mary (OH) t. Vin High School: S th Year in NBA: 17 All-Star: 16th
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
118 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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TEAM LEBRON
Y N O ANTHAVIS D
r
ard-Cente Position: Forw Height: 6-10 Weight: 253 93 -19 Birthdate: 3-11 cky College: Kentu th Year in NBA: 8 All-Star: 7th
I
n his first season in L.A., Davis is proving quickly why the Lakers were willing to part with young talents and future draft picks to acquire the now seven-time All-Star. In Davis, the Lakers have given LeBron James possibly his greatest foil ever. The Lakers lead the Western Conference—and trail only the Milwaukee Bucks—in point differential (7.9). Davis is a major reason for that on both sides of the ball. He is leading the Lakers with just under 27 points per game. Always a good shooter from the charity stripe, Davis is shooting career-highs in both free throws made (7.3 per game) and free throw percentage (85.9). On defense, Davis brings a presence down low that has led to spots on three All-Defensive teams so far, and he is second in the League with 2.6 blocks per game while also adding 1.5 steals a night. The Brow has helped the Lakers become the clear-cut team atop the Western Conference standings, and will be looking to make a deep run in the playoffs for the first time in his career this spring.
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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TEAM LEBRON
I
LUKA Ć I Č N DO
n just his second season, Dončić will be making his All-Star Game debut after taking home the 2019 Rookie of the Year award. The young guard has had an impressive start to his sophomore campaign, besting all of his rookie numbers by scoring over 29 points per game to go with 7 assists and 8 rebounds a night. Dončić has quickly become one of the top players in the League and appears to get better every time he steps on the floor. Blessed with great court vision, a telepathic feel for the game, and an excellent handle, Dončić is able to use those abilities to get his shot off and set up teammates. He has the surprising Mavs in the middle of the playoff hunt in the competitive Western Conference and will be a serious MVP candidate at the end of the season. While fans across the League have already been impressed with his play, the 20-year-old is just getting started—a scary proposition for opposing teams.
ard-Guard Position: Forw Height: 6-7 Weight: 230 8-1999 Birthdate: 2-2 enia Country: Slov nd Year in NBA: 2 All-Star: 1st
GLENN JAMES/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
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TEAM LEBRON
S E M JA N E D R A H
T
he 2018 NBA Most Valuable Player enters his eighth All-Star Game on an absolute tear, averaging 38 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds per game through early January. The 30-year-old guard came close to a second MVP in 2019 and somehow continues to improve every season. Harden is continuing to prove the doubters wrong, averaging a career high in points despite the addition of Russell Westbrook this past offseason. The power duo has kept the Rockets near the top of the Western Conference standings, which should put them in a position to compete for a conference championship again this season. Harden is in the middle of his prime and has become one of the most elite scorers in recent history.Through January 10, Harden had as many 50-point games this season as the rest of the League combined and had the season’s highest scoring game when he dropped 60 points against Atlanta on Nov. 30 (Portland’s Damian Lillard would top it with 61 on Jan. 20). With his explosive scoring exploits, Harden is a strong candidate to challenge the All-Star scoring record (52 points); breaking it would likely earn him his first All-Star MVP.
rd Position: Gua Height: 6-5 Weight: 220 6-1989 Birthdate: 8-2 tate na S College: Arizo th Year in NBA: 11 All-Star: 8th
LOGAN RIELY/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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PLAYER DEVELOPMENT PREPARING PLAYERS NOW, FOR WHATEVER COMES NEXT
NBA Player Development aims to inspire the personal and professional development of current and former players. We provide comprehensive education programs and critical support services to allow players to fully maximize their NBA careers on and off the court.
ASSISTANT COACHES PROGRAM The program is committed to developing qualified candidates for a career in coaching. Nearly 200 players have been exposed to general managers, coaches, and team personnel through experiential opportunities.
Vin Baker, an Olympic gold medalist and four-time NBA All-Star, participated in 2016. He is now an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks.
BASKETBALL OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE PROGRAM The Associate Program immerses former players in the league office, training and developing them for front office positions in the NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League.
Allison Feaster, a 10-year WNBA veteran, participated in 2016. She is now the Director of Player Development for the Boston Celtics.
HARVARD CROSSOVER INTO BUSINESS PROGRAM The semester-long program matches athletes with a pair of Harvard Business School’s MBA student mentors, helping players develop their business acumen and empowering them to make successful business decisions.
Duncan Robinson, a second-year forward with Miami, participated in the program in the fall of 2019.
Congratulations to all players participating in All-Star Weekend! We commend you for the effort and commitment it took to get here. NBA Player Development would also like to recognize the family members who have supported these All-Stars. We thank them for all that they do.
TEAM LEBRON
I H W KA D R A N O LE
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-7 Weight: 225 9-1991 Birthdate: 6-2 o State Dieg College: San th Year in NBA: 9 All-Star: 4th
A
fter a few seasons spent discussing the future of Leonard’s career—particularly where he’d be playing—he’s very much present back at where it all started for him: Los Angeles. Together with another homecoming story in Paul George, the two have instantly transformed the Clippers into one of the favorites for the 2019-20 NBA Championship. The preeminent two-way player in the game, Leonard’s blend of size, length and skill makes him equally adept at scoring the ball as he is stopping his man. On offense, Leonard is a triple threat, able to knock down the 3-pointer, drive to the rim and knock down shots from all manners in between. On defense, where he is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Defensive selection, his long arms and big hands, coupled with his quick feet and anticipation, are a matchup nightmare for any perimeter player. A two-time Finals MVP, Leonard has the Clippers’ gaze set firmly on the franchise’s first title come June.
BILL BAPTIST/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
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Construction Motorcycle
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TEAM LEBRON
A L O K NI JOKIĆ
W
hen Jokić was selected to his second consecutive All-Star appearance this year, he joined a small group of players that were drafted in the second round since the League went to the two-round format in 1989 who made multiple All-Star appearances. Only 9 of the 873 second-round draftees accomplished the feat over that time span, or 1.03 percent. The Nuggets center has been on fire since the beginning of December, averaging around 22 points, 10 rebounds and 7 assists per game. It is Jokić’s passing abilities that truly make him a special player as a 7-footer who has the kind of vision on the court that most guards dream they had. Only LeBron James averages more assists per game than Jokic when it comes to frontcourt players. He is no slouch on defense either, as Denver is 4.9 points per 100 possessions better when he is on the floor. Jokić led the Nuggets to the Western Conference Semifinals for the first time in a decade last season, and will be looking to push even further come springtime this year.
ter Position: Cen Height: 7-0 Weight: 284 -1995 Birthdate: 2-19 ia Country: Serb th Year in NBA: 5 All-Star: 2nd
LAYNE MURDOCH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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In the world of the mind, there are no limits.
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TEAM LEBRON
N A I M DA RD LILLA
rd Position: Gua Height: 6-2 Weight: 195 5-1990 Birthdate: 7-1 te er Sta College: Web th Year in NBA: 8 All-Star: 5th
M
uch like his rap persona, Dame D.O.L.L.A., Lillard’s on-court flow is understated, but deadly. As NBA players go, his 6-2 height might be small, but his game is big. A fearless driver to the hoop, Lillard is a fantastic finisher around the basket after he gets by the opposition with his yo-yo-like handles. Even better than his forays to the hoop is his long-distance game. As evidenced by his cold-blooded 37-foot Game 5 bomb to end last year’s Western Conference First Round series against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Lillard is not afraid to pull up from way deep for three points. For the fifth time in his career, Lillard is an All-Star, and he’s also on pace to average more than 25 points for the fifth time to go along with a career-best 7.6 dimes a game, numbers which will give him plenty of material for his next mixtape.
OSCAR BALDIZON/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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TEAM LEBRON
S I R H C L U A P
A
fter reigning as the preeminent point guard—some might say, point god— of the past decade, the start of this season was supposed to be a new page for Paul, one where he’d no longer be an All-Star or an elite performer on a contending team. If you thought that, you’d be terribly wrong. CP3 is still very much a difference-maker and for the 10th time in his illustrious career, an All-Star. Many had Paul pegged as the veteran mentor to the young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander when he arrived in Oklahoma City via a trade for Russell Westbrook, but instead the two have combined into a harmonious backcourt that has kept the Thunder in the Western Conference elite. Even with 15 years under his belt, Paul still confounds defenders with his ballhandling wizardry, using it to get to his favorite spots on the floor where he remains a deadeye shooter. Paul’s mastery of his position enables him on offense to see plays before they develop, putting the ball into the hands of his teammates for scores. On defense, Paul’s quick hands and keen anticipation still make him one of the most deadly ball thieves.
rd Position: Gua Height: 6-1 Weight: 175 -1985 Birthdate: 5-6 st e Fore College: Wak 5th Year in NBA: 1 All-Star: 10th
ZACH BEEKER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
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TEAM LEBRON
S A T N A M O D S I N O SAB
S
abonis has only been in the NBA for four seasons, but the path to his first All-Star selection has been an interesting one. The son of Basketball Hall of Famer Arvydas Sabonis, he was selected by Orlando with the 11th pick of the 2016 NBA Draft and traded that same night to Oklahoma City with Ersan Ilyasova and Victor Oladipo for Serge Ibaka. After a relatively quiet rookie year, Sabonis and Oladipo were on the move again, this time being swapped to Indiana for Paul George. Sabonis was a force the last two years coming off the bench for the Pacers. In his first 38 appearances this season (all starts), Sabonis recorded 32 double-doubles. His 18.1 PPG, 13.1 RPG (fifth in NBA) and 4.9 APG (tied for ninth in NBA among front court players) are all career-highs. Sabonis has helped the Pacers become a top-10 defense in the NBA, and individually he is in the top-10 in defensive win shares (eighth with 2.2). With former All-Star Oladipo’s return to the lineup, the Pacers and Sabonis will be at full strength to make a run for homecourt advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
r
ard-Cente Position: Forw Height: 6-11 Weight: 240 -1996 Birthdate: 5-3 aga College: Gonz th Year in NBA: 4 All-Star: 1st
BART YOUNG/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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TEAM LEBRON
BEN S N O SIMM
O
ne of the most unique players in the game, Simmons is a 6-10 point guard who eschews the 3-point shot in a time when centers average three a game. In spite of being against the grain in every way, Simmons not only makes it work, he has become one of the best young under-25 players in the NBA. While not a threat from deep, Simmons’ lack of range is hardly a disadvantage to his game. Simmons’ first step, coupled with his ballhandling, allows him to break down virtually any defender to get to the paint. Once there, he possesses a LeBron-like ability to see the play unfold to locate the open teammate, or he is equally adept at finishing at the rim. On the other end, Simmons shows flashes of Scottie Pippen, a long-limbed defender with a telepathic bead on where the ball will be and with his size, able to switch off from guard to big seamlessly. Paired with All-Star teammate Joel Embiid, the duo make the Sixers a formidable pick to go all the way in the East come June.
rd-Forward Position: Gua Height: 6-10 Weight: 240 0-1996 Birthdate: 7-2 State iana College: Louis th Year in NBA: 4 All-Star: 2nd
DAVID DOW/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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GOOD LUCK ON THE COURT! FROM ALL YOUR FANS IN (HOLLAND) MICHIGAN
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TEAM LEBRON
N O S JAY UM TAT
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-8 Weight: 210 -1998 Birthdate: 3-3 College: Duke rd Year in NBA: 3 All-Star: 1st
T
atum, now in his third season with the Boston Celtics, is a first time All-Star this season. When watching the 6-8 forward, it is hard to imagine that he is still just 21 years old, given his poise and expertise on both sides of the court. While his shooting percentages are down slightly this year, Tatum’s overall production is up as he has become even more of a focal point of the Celtics’ offense. He is in the top-25 in scoring, averaging 21.2 PPG, while also grabbing 6.9 RPG and dishing out 2.8 assists, all career-highs. Tatum also set a career-high with 41 points in a 140-105 win over New Orleans on Jan. 11, when he shot 16-22 overall and tied a career-high with 6 3-pointers. Tatum’s length and ability to guard multiple positions is crucial to a Boston defense that has become one of the top squads in the League (fourth in NBA Defensive Rating at 105.3). With the ever-improving Tatum and fellow budding star Jaylen Brown together with the new floor leader in All-Star Kemba Walker, the Celtics are poised to make a deep playoff run this year and beyond.
DAVID DOW/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES PHOTO
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TEAM LEBRON
L L E S RUS OOK R B T S E
W
rd Position: Gua Height: 6-3 Weight: 200 12-1988 Birthdate: 11College: UCLA th Year in NBA: 12 All-Star: 9th
W
ith over a decade of experience in the League, Westbrook has accumulated nine All-Star appearances, eight All-NBA recognitions, an MVP and the distinction of being the player most associated with the triple-double. The athletic guard is averaging 24 points this season, while tallying 7 rebounds and 7 assists a night as well. For the past three seasons Westbrook averaged a triple-double, giving him 144 career triple-doubles and positioning him with the second most of all time, trailing only Oscar Robertson’s 181. Now teamed up with James Harden, the 2017 MVP does not need to carry as large a load. Westbrook has by no means slowed down since being traded from Oklahoma City during the offseason. In his first season in Houston, the 31-year-old is still putting up huge numbers and leading his team to success, with the Rockets fighting for a top spot in the Western Conference playoffs. The perennial All-Star is still at the top of his game and fans can expect him to continue wreaking havoc in the NBA for the foreseeable future.
GARY BASSING/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
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ES H C A O C N O R B TEAM LE
Frank Vogyel
F
or the second time, Vogel is a head coach at the All-Star Game, as he’s helped helm the Lakers to ck College: Kentu ach: 9th a Western Conference-best 36-9 record after 45 ad Co Year as NBA He d games this season. n Head Coach: 2 Year as All-Star This is Vogel’s first season as head coach of the Lakers after becoming the 27th head coach in franchise history when he was hired on May 11, 2019, after spending two seasons from 2016-18 with the Orlando Magic. This is not the first time the 46-year-old has coached a team wearing gold. Prior to Los Angeles, Vogel was the head coach for the Indiana Pacers from 2011-16 (he also served four seasons as an assistant coach there). In Indiana, Vogel compiled a 250-181 record and in 2014, he earned his first All-Star head coaching nod for the East All-Star Team. In that same season, Vogel navigated the Pacers to a 56-26 record and brought them to the Eastern Conference Finals. This season, Vogel got the Lakers off to a hot start and was tabbed the Western Conference Coach of the Month in October/November (an award he’s won four other times previously). With the way the Lakers have been playing this season, Vogel will have a chance to break through into the Finals for the first time come June.
ASSISTANT COACHES
Phil Handy
Lionel Hollins
Jason Kidd
Dru Anthrop
Quinton Crawford
ATHLETIC TRAINERS
Mike Penberthy
Greg St. Jean
Miles Simon
Aaron Nelson
Jon Pastorek
EQUIPMENT MANAGER
Tom Maystadt
Steve Pankow ADAM PANTOZZI (10)/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
142 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Game Score
1ST QUARTER
2ND QUARTER
3RD QUARTER
4TH QUARTER
TOTAL
TEAM GIANNIS TEAM LEBRON
TEAM GIANNIS Head Coach Nick Nurse Assistant Coaches Adrian Griffin, Nate Bjorkgren, Jim Sann, John Bennett, John Corbacio, Brittni Donaldson, Fabulous Flournoy, Jon Goodwillie, Jamaal Magloire, Tyler Marsh, Patrick Mutombo, Mark Tyndale Athletic Trainers Jeff Tanaka, Arnold Lee Equipment Manager John Ligmanowski NO.
PLAYER
TEAM
POS
HT
WT
AGE
ALL-STAR
COLLEGE/H.S./COUNTRY
24
GIANNIS ANTETOKOUNMPO JOEL EMBIID PASCAL SIAKAM KEMBA WALKER TRAE YOUNG
Milwaukee Bucks
F
6-11
242
25
4th year
Greece
Philadelphia 76ers
C-F
7-0
280
25
3rd year
Kansas
Toronto Raptors
F
6-9
230
25
1st year
New Mexico State
Boston Celtics
G
6-0
184
29
4th year
Connecticut
Atlanta Hawks
G
6-1
180
21
1st year
Oklahoma
BAM ADEBAYO JIMMY BUTLER RUDY GOBERT BRANDON INGRAM KYLE LOWRY KHRIS MIDDLETON DONOVAN MITCHELL
Miami Heat
C-F
6-9
255
22
1st year
Kentucky
Miami Heat
F
6-7
230
30
5th year
Marquette
Utah Jazz
C
7-1
258
27
1st year
France
New Orleans Pelicans
F
6-7
190
22
1st year
Duke
Toronto Raptors
G
6-0
196
33
6th year
Villanova
Milwaukee Bucks
F
6-7
222
28
2nd year
Texas A&M
Utah Jazz
G
6-1
215
23
1st year
Louisville
24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 24
PTS
REB AST
TEAM LEBRON Head Coach Frank Vogel Assistant Coaches Phil Handy, Lionel Hollins, Jason Kidd, Dru Anthrop, Quinton Crawford, Jon Pastorek, Mike Penberthy, Greg St. Jean, Miles Simon Athletic Trainers Aaron Nelson, Tom Maystadt Equipment Manager Steve Pankow NO.
PLAYER
TEAM
POS
HT
WT
AGE
ALL-STAR
COLLEGE/H.S./COUNTRY
2
Los Angeles Lakers
F
6-9
250
35
16th year
St. Vincent-St. Mary
Los Angeles Lakers
F-C
6-10
253
26
7th year
Kentucky
Dallas Mavericks
F-G
6-7
230
20
1st year
Slovenia
Houston Rockets
G
6-5
220
30
8th year
Arizona State
LA Clippers
F
6-7
225
28
4th year
San Diego State
Denver Nuggets
C
7-0
284
24
2nd year
Serbia
Portland Trail Blazers
G
6-2
195
29
5th year
Weber State
Oklahoma City Thunder
G
6-1
175
34
10th year
Wake Forest
Indiana Pacers
F-C
6-11
240
23
1st year
Gonzaga
Philadelphia 76ers
G-F
6-10
240
23
2nd year
LSU
2
LEBRON JAMES ANTHONY DAVIS LUKA DONČIĆ JAMES HARDEN KAWHI LEONARD NIKOLA JOKIĆ DAMIAN LILLARD CHRIS PAUL DOMANTAS SABONIS BEN SIMMONS JAYSON TATUM
Boston Celtics
F-G
6-8
210
21
1st year
Duke
2
RUSSELL WESTBROOK
Houston Rockets
G
6-3
200
31
9th year
UCLA
2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
144 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
PTS
REB AST
LIVE games, expert analysis. AVAILABLE ON
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SA U S R A T S G N I RIS
Miles es Bridg
B
ridges is part of a trio of Hornets that make up ard Position: Forw the future of Charlotte Height: 6-6 basketball. Along with fellow Rising Weight: 225 Stars mates Devonte’ Graham and 8 1-199 Birthdate: 3-2 State PJ Washington, Bridges is giving an College: Michig Hornets fans hope for seasons to d Year in NBA: 2n come with his blossoming game. The 12th pick in the 2018 NBA Draft, Bridges is showing promise of developing into a versatile swingman who can move around on defense and make shots from deep. Bridges has worked hard on improving his 3-point stroke and it’s shown this season as he’s averaging 1.5 makes a game, boosting his scoring from 7.5 points per game his rookie year to 12.2 in his sophomore run. The swarm of Hornets will have an opportunity to create some buzz for Charlotte as they’ll take the floor together on Friday night.
ll Wender Jr. Cartrweard
C
arter Jr. has followed up a solid rookie campaign with r-Fo Position: Cente an even stronger second Height: 6-9 season. Prior to suffering an ankle Weight: 270 injury at the beginning of January, -1999 Birthdate: 4-16 the sophomore center was playing College: Duke 30 minutes per game for the Bulls d Year in NBA: 2n and putting up strong numbers, averaging a double-double. The 2018 lottery pick has increased his stats across the board, tallying 12 points and 10 rebounds a night while shooting 54 percent from the field. Carter Jr. has been a bright spot for a Bulls team that has struggled to find consistency so far this season, sitting just outside of playoff contention and well under .500. If the young big man can continue to build on his success, he will be a huge asset in Chicago and may soon find himself playing in the All-Star Game instead of the Rising Stars.
NED DISHMAN; BRIAN SEVALD/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
146 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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SA U S R A T S G N I RIS
e’ t n o v e D Graham
I
n his second year with the Charlotte Hornets, Graham has Position: Guard taken the most of an opportunity Height: 6-1 and ran with it, becoming one of the Weight: 195 biggest breakout performers in the 2-1995 Birthdate: 2-2 NBA season. In his rookie season s College: Kansa out of the University of Kansas, d Year in NBA: 2n Graham saw the court in just 46 games and played limited minutes (14.7 per game). With the departure of All-Star Kemba Walker to Boston, Graham has taken over the point guard role for the Hornets and played more minutes than any player in the NBA other than Damian Lillard in the process. And that’s not the only part of the stat sheet that Graham finds himself near the top in: he is second in the NBA in both 3-pointers made and attempted and his 7.7 assists per game is good for sixth in the League. Graham’s game exudes confidence and in him Charlotte has found a new floor leader to build around.
Tyler Herro
W
ith the 13th pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, the Miami Position: Guard Heat selected Herro after Height: 6-5 he averaged 14.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG Weight: 195 and 2.5 APG in his lone season at -2000 Birthdate: 1-20 Kentucky. Herro became a sensation cky College: Kentu during Summer League, scoring t Year in NBA: 1s nearly 20 points per game, and has not let up since the regular season started. The Heat have outplayed expectations this season, competing for the second seed in the East. A lot of that has to do with their ability to roll deep with Herro often the seventh man in the lineup. Herro has knocked down more threes than any rookie (80) and is doing it at a healthy 38.5% clip. Most importantly, he has already found a knack for clutch moments like the game-winner he hit in a 108-105 overtime win over Chicago on December 8.
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; OSCAR BALDIZON/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
148 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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SA U S R A T S G N I RIS
Jaren on Jr. Jarwcardk-Censter
A
year after being named All-Rookie First Team, Position: Fo Jackson Jr. has continued Height: 6-11 to show the versatility that made Weight: 242 the Memphis Grizzlies select him -1999 Birthdate: 9-15 State fourth overall in the 2018 NBA Draft. an College: Michig Jackson Jr. has been a perfect d Year in NBA: 2n running mate for NBA Rookie of the Year frontrunner Ja Morant and the rest of the young Memphis squad that is pushing the pace and redefining Grizzlies’ basketball. Jackson Jr. can help spread the floor and after showing range from beyond the 3-point arc last season (35.9 percent on 2.4 attempts per game), he has made the long ball a much bigger part of his repertoire this year (40.8 percent on 6.4 attempts per game). On the defensive end, Jackson Jr. has averaged 1.4 BPG, proving the rare player that is in the top-20 in the League in both 3-pointers made and blocks. Memphis is playing ahead of their scheduled rebuild, and Jackson Jr. and his fellow Grizzlies will be looking to shock the League and make the playoffs.
Ja nt Mouardra
T
he Morantula sometimes weaves through defenders so Position: G nimble and dexterous you’d Height: 6-3 think you were watching SpiderWeight: 174 Man on the hardwood dodging -1999 Birthdate: 8-10 te pumpkin bombs and soaring among y Sta College: Murra skyscrapers. Memphis’ newb point t Year in NBA: 1s guard would likely be your NBA Rookie of the Year if the award were doled out at the season’s midway point with his averages of 17.5 points, 7.1 dimes, 3.5 boards and 1.1 steals per night. Much of Morant’s offensive damage comes from within the 3-point arc via a killer first step and shrewd ballhandling—he shoots a quality 49 percent from the field. Outer space will be the limit once the No. 2 overall pick is more confident in his long-distance jumper. He and fellow Rising Stars teammate and fellow 20-year-old Jaren Jackson Jr. have the Grizzlies surging after a sputtering start, as Memphis sits firmly in the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. JOE MURPHY; DAVID LIAM KYLE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
150 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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SA U S R A T S G N I RIS
ck Kendri Nunn
A
ll-Star 2020 will be a homecoming for the Position: Guard Chicago-born Nunn, who Height: 6-2 played high school basketball at Weight: 190 Simeon, a school renowned for -1995 Birthdate: 8-3 producing NBA talent (current NBA nd College: Oakla players Derrick Rose and Jabari t Year in NBA: 1s Parker and retired players Nick Anderson and Bobby Simmons all hailed from Simeon). Unlike them, Nunn’s route to the League was more circuitous; he went undrafted in 2018 and spent last season playing in the G League’s Santa Cruz Warriors. Nunn impressed the Miami Heat over summer league and preseason, prompting the Heat to offer him a roster spot when the season began. Early injuries pushed Nunn into a starting role and he would take full advantage, averaging 16.2 points per game, good for second on the team. He’s been a pleasant bright spot for the equally surprising Heat, who will be leaning on Nunn as they try to make an ascent on the East standings in the second half.
Eric all Pasch
T
he 2019 second-round pick has been an impor tant ard Position: Forw contributor for the Warriors Height: 6-6 this season, playing in almost Weight: 255 every game while averaging 27 -1996 Birthdate: 11-4 minutes. The 23-year-old is playing ova College: Villan efficiently, putting up 14 points per t Year in NBA: 1s game while shooting 49 percent and grabbing 5 rebounds. With the Warriors roster riddled with injuries and sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, Paschall has taken advantage of his opportunities. The Villanova product has topped the 20-point mark nine times this season. Back in November, Paschall showcased his high ceiling when he poured in 34 points and grabbed 13 rebounds (both season highs) in a win over the Trail Blazers. The young forward has impressed so far in his first season and will be a key piece for the Warriors when their championship core gets healthy.
ISSAC BALDIZON; CAMERON BROWNE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
152 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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SA U S R A T S G N I RIS
PJ ington aasrd h W sition: Forw Po Height: 6-7 Weight: 230 3-1998 Birthdate: 8-2 cky College: Kentu t 1s : Year in NBA
C
154 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Po Height: 6-6 Weight: 284 -2000 Birthdate: 7-6 College: Duke t Year in NBA: 1s
O
ne of the most anticipated players to enter in the League in recent memory, Williamson brings to the NBA a cult following on social media who have been following the high-flying forward’s aerial exploits since his high school days at Spartanburg Day. “Zion fever” was only amplified during his single season in Duke. Few players can be compared with Williamson (Charles Barkley might be the best comparison), who stands 6-6 but is a strapping 284 pounds, with a pair of pogos for legs. A knee injury postponed his debut until January, but in his debut he wowed with 22 points. Expect the Pelicans to soar high— maybe even as high as he can—in the future as Williamson acclimates himself to the NBA.
Trae g n Youu ard Position: G Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 -1998 Birthdate: 9-19 oma College: Oklah d n 2 : Year in NBA
T
rae will be competing in trey events this weekend: the Rising Stars (Friday), 3-Point Contest (Saturday) and All-Star Game (Sunday). The second-year point guard has exploded in 2019-20, one season removed from an impressive runner-up finish in NBA Rookie of the Year voting. This year, Young was named a starter for the All-Star Game, as his 29.2 points and 9.0 assists per night showcase how rapidly his game has developed. With an uncanny ability to halt on a dime and launch trifectas from virtually anywhere within the halfcourt divider, Young averages 3.4 3-point field goals per contest on 37 percent shooting. The Hawks are a growing squad littered with youth and untapped potential, but it appears likely that the 21-year-old Young will be the man to lead them into greener pastures.
ROCKY WIDNER; LAYNE MURDOCH JR.; RON TURENNE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
harlotte Hornets rookie forward PJ Washington made quite an entrance in his first regular season NBA game. On October 23, 2019, he made seven 3-pointers in a 126-125 win over the Chicago Bulls, the most for any player in their debut game in NBA history. The 21-year-old has made an immediate impact in Charlotte, starting in all but five games so far this year when he was sidelined with a broken finger. Washington’s numbers put him in the top-10 amongst rookies in points (seventh with 12.4 PPG), rebounds (fourth with 5.5 RPG) and assists (t-10th with 2.0 APG) and 3-point percentage (2nd with 40.8 percent). The Hornets have struggled through extended losing streaks this season, but Washington is an important part of their youth movement along with Devonte’ Graham and Miles Bridges.
Zion mson ilalrdia W sition: Forw
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LD R O W S R A T S RISING
Nickeinl der-Walker Aleuardxa
A
lexander-Walker’s journey in the NBA was already an Position: G interesting one before ever Height: 6-5 stepping foot into a regular season Weight: 205 game. The Virginia Tech product -1998 Birthdate: 9-2 was taken 17th overall by the da Country: Cana Brooklyn Nets on Draft night, only t Year in NBA: 1s to be traded to the Atlanta Hawks on July 6. Alexander-Walker’s time on Atlanta was short, as the next day he was part of a six-player deal with the New Orleans Pelicans. Once with the Pelicans, he excelled in the Summer League, leading everyone who played at least four games in scoring with 24.3 PPG. The rookie shooting guard is only averaging 12.8 MPG during the regular season, but when you extrapolate his stats out Per 36 Minutes, his averages of 15.6 PPG, 5.7 RPG and 5.3 APG are promising. Perhaps the best example of Alexander-Walker’s abilities came in back-to-back games in November where he scored 27 and 19 points against the Heat and Warriors respectively, going a combined 11-22 on 3-pointers.
e Deandr Ayton
A
yton, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2018 NBA Draft by the r Position: Cente Phoenix Suns has proven Height: 6-11 worthy of his draft spot, developing Weight: 250 into a double-double machine in his 3-1998 Birthdate: 7-2 second year, averaging 18.2 PPG mas Country: Baha and 12.2 RPG. A four-game streak d Year in NBA: 2n in mid-January saw him drop at least 20 points and 10 rebounds, with a dominant performance of 26 points and 21 rebounds against the Knicks in a 121-98 road victory. Ayton is a throwback center, a big man that gets the ball in the paint at a higher rate than any player in the League, and once he has it, he finishes at a healthy 54 percent. He’s also shown flashes of becoming a better defender, patrolling the rim while averaging 1.6 blocks a contest. The Suns have played slightly over .500 since Ayton returned to the lineup, and his continued production will be crucial as Phoenix tries to navigate their way back to the playoffs for the first time in a decade.
ZACH BEEKER; GLENN JAMES/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
156 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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LD R O W S R A T S RISING
R.J. tt Bauarrd-Frorweard
A
five-star recruit out of Canada, R.J. Barrett played Position: G one year at Duke before Height: 6-6 being selected third overall in the Weight: 214 2019 NBA Draft by the New York -2000 Birthdate: 6-14 Knicks. Barrett has seen his share da Country: Cana of ups and downs in his first season t Year in NBA: 1s under the bright lights of New York. One positive is that Barrett has received ample playing time as a 19-year-old, leading all rookies with 31.2 MPG. Barrett has found ways to contribute on offense, averaging 14.1 PPG (third among rookies) and 5.2 RPG (fifth among rookies). His efficiency isn’t always there, but his ability to work for buckets is something to build on. The Knicks’ faithful have seen glimpses of the player Barrett can become in performances like dropping 27 points on 10-13 shooting in a 143-120 win over Atlanta or when he filled the stat sheet with 23 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in a 124-121 win over Miami.
n Brandeo Clarwarrd k
T
he Memphis Grizzlies were already having a great 2019 Position: Fo NBA Draft when they selected Height: 6-8 Ja Morant with the No. 2 pick, but it Weight: 215 is their pick of Clarke at No. 21 that -1996 Birthdate: 9-19 is looking like the steal of the night. da Country: Cana Coming off the bench and playing t Year in NBA: 1s in just 21.4 MPG, the 6-8 forward is averaging 12.3 PPG (eighth among rookies), 5.8 RPG (tied for first among rookies) and nearly a block per game. Clarke is already one of the most efficient players in the League and is just able to make buckets—his true shooting percentage of 68.3 percent is fifth overall in the NBA. Clarke is in the upper echelon in the League when near the basket and has even shown some range beyond the arc (41.5 percent on 1.1 attempts per game), already making more 3-pointers than he did his entire college career. Clarke has settled into the NBA nicely and will be an important force as the young Grizzlies make a playoff push this spring.
GARY DINEEN; JOE MURPHY/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
158 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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LD R O W S R A T S RISING
Luka ić Don-Gčuard
L
ast season’s NBA Rookie of the Year, Dončić is following ard Position: Forw up his masterful opening act Height: 6-7 with a season to remember in 2019Weight: 230 20. It’s a first half so nice that he 8-1999 Birthdate: 2-2 gets to play twice, as Dončić, who ia Coutry: Sloven was named a starter in this year’s d Year in NBA: 2n All-Star Game, will also run wild two nights earlier in the Rising Stars. The 6-7 point forward from Slovenia is among the League leaders in points per game (29.0), rebounds (9.6), assists (8.8) and three-point field goals made (3.0), representing a statistical increase across the board from his sensational rookie campaign. His 12 triple-doubles (and counting) are best in the Association, and in November, he became the youngest player in NBA history to post back-to-back 35-point trip-dubs. So much to praise, so little space. Dončić is still only 20 years young until the conclusion of February and is writing his history as we speak, but, at minimum, Dallas’ sophomore superstar and legitimate MVP contender has his franchise poised to reach postseason play for the first time since 2016.
r Shai ous-Alexande Giluagrd e
A
fter one season with the Los Angeles Clippers that Position: G saw Gilgeous-Alexander Height: 6-5 named to the NBA All-Rookie Weight: 180 Second Team, he was traded two -1998 Birthdate: 7-12 days before his 21st birthday to the da Country: Cana Oklahoma City Thunder as part of d Year in NBA: 2n the blockbuster Paul George deal. Gilgeous-Alexander has blossomed even further halfway through his sophomore campaign, as the 6-5 guard is leading the Thunder in scoring with 20.0 PPG, while adding in 5.7 RPG and 3.0 APG. On January 13, Gilgeous-Alexander became the youngest player ever to record a triple-double with at least 20 points and 20 rebounds in a 117-104 win over Minnesota, besting the mark set by Shaquille O’Neal over 25 years ago. The budding star has spent time in the backcourt learning from one of the all-time best in Chris Paul and together they have the Thunder firmly entrenched in the Western Conference playoff race.
GLENN JAMES; ZACH BEEKER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
160 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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LD R O W S R A T S RISING
Rui imura Hach
W
hen the Washington Wizards selected ard Position: Forw Hachimura with the ninth Height: 6-8 overall pick in the 2019 NBA Draft, he Weight: 230 made history as the first Japanese-1998 Birthdate: 2-8 born player to be selected in the first n Country: Japa round. A consensus All-America t Year in NBA: 1s First Team pick in his final season at Gonzaga, he is averaging 13.9 PPG (fifth among rookies), 5.8 RPG (first among rookies) and 1.6 APG. Hachimura doesn’t have much of an outside game to speak of yet, but is shooting a solid 48.2 percent from the field and has helped the Wizards push the pace scoring over 114 points per game. The 21-year-old has acclimated well to the pros through his first 25 games before a groin injury sidelined him in mid-December. Hachimura was averaging over 17 points and nearly 7 rebounds per game in the month of December, and will look to build on those performances when he returns to the court.
lav s o t a i v S uk i l i a h k My ard
S
viatoslav Mykhailiuk has carved out a nice role with -Forw Position: Guard the Pistons in 2019-20. The Height: 6-7 second-year man from Kansas by Weight: 205 way of Ukraine has displayed a lethal -1997 Birthdate: 6-10 deep touch, netting 2.0 three-point ine Country: Ukra field goals per game on 42 percent d Year in NBA: 2n shooting from beyond the arc. It’s that kind of specialist ability that can catapult an otherwise overlooked talent into valuable minutes for a number of seasons. Mykhailiuk was drafted in the second round by the Lakers in 2018, and was traded to Detroit in February of last year. Playing time was hard to come by during his rookie campaign, but this season Mykhailiuk has stepped into a semi-starting role since mid-December and has been gathering steam ever since. On January 15 and 18, Svi dropped back-to-back 20-plus point efforts, including a career-high 25 points in Atlanta, swishing a total of 10 treys on 15 attempts. NED DISHAMN; NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
162 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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LD R O W S R A T S RISING
Josh ie g Okuao rd
O
kogie makes his second appearance in the Rising Position: G Stars, this time with his Height: 6-4 rookie year under his belt. In last Weight: 213 year’s Rising Stars, Okogie notched 998 Birthdate: 9-1-1 13 points along with 4 rebounds and a Country: Nigeri 4 assists. Okogie was a pleasant d Year in NBA: 2n surprise his rookie run as he was a valuable rotation contributor for the Minnesota Timberwolves. For the season he chipped in 7.7 points and boundless energy (his Twitter handle is @CallMe_NonStop) as a part-time starter. This season his role hasn’t changed much, but he’s bumped up his scoring to 8 points per game to go with 4.5 rebounds. At just 21, the Timberwolves are hoping Okogie can continue to develop and become part of the team’s young core. Okogie hails from the same city in Nigeria, Lagos, as NBA Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon and in the summer has represented his country in international play.
Moritzer Wagennter
G
erman-born Wagner emerges from his year-and-a-half long ard-C Position: Forw NBA career to join Team Height: 6-11 World in the 2020 Rising Stars. Weight: 245 Unfortunately, during his sophomore 6-1997 Birthdate: 4-2 season in 2019-20 Wagner has been any Country: Germ hampered by an ankle issue suffered d Year in NBA: 2n on Dec. 10, which forced him to miss the remainder of December and all of January. However, when healthy the former Michigan Wolverine has been a steady contributor for Washington, especially off the pine. He’s also made four starts, but in 17 games as a reserve Wagner averages 12.0 points, 5.6 caroms and 1.1 three-pointers on 60 percent shooting in just 19.4 minutes. His breakthrough performance came on Nov. 15 when he lit up the Timberwolves for 30 points on 13-of-15 shooting, including 4-of-4 from downtown, while hauling 15 boards. In doing so, the 6-11 big man became the first player in the League to tally 30 points and 15 rebounds in less than 26 minutes off the bench since 1967. DAVID SHERMAN; STEPHEN GOSLING/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
164 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
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TEST N O C T N I O P MTN DEW 3
Dāvis ns Berwrardtā
166 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: G Height: 6-1 Weight: 195 95 Born: 2-22-19 s sa n a College: K Contest: 1st t in Po Year in 3-
GARY DINEEN; SAM FORENCICH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: Fo Height: 6-10 Weight: 225 92 Born: 11-12-19 ia tv Country: La Contest: 1st Year in 3-Point
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TEST N O C T N I O P MTN DEW 3
Joe Hauarrd-Frorwiards
168 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: G Height: 6-4 Weight: 220 92 Born: 12-17-19 oma h la k College: O Contest: 2nd t in Po Year in 3-
CHRIS SCHWEGLER; ROCKY WIDNER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: G Height: 6-6 Weight: 220 1 Born:9-6-199 ia in g ir College: V Contest: 2nd t in Po Year in 3-
Buddy Hieuardld
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TEST N O C T N I O P MTN DEW 3
Zach e in LauV ard-Forward
170 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: G Height: 6-2 Weight: 195 90 Born: 7-15-19 te r Sta b e College: W e est: 3rd Cont in Po Year in 3- t
RON HOSKINS; SAM FORENCICH/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: G Height: 6-6 Weight: 200 95 Born: 3-10-19 LA C College: U Contest: 1st Year in 3-Point
Damian Lilulardard
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TEST N O C T N I O P MTN DEW 3
Duncasnon Rorwbard in
172 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: G Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 98 Born: 9-19-19 oma la k College: O h est: 1st Cont t in Po Year in 3-
OSCAR BALDIZON; SCOTT CUNNINGHAM/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: Fo Height: 6-7 Weight: 215 94 Born: 4-22-19 an h ic College: M ig est: 1st Cont t in Po Year in 3-
Trae g Youaurd n
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K N U D M A L S T AT&
Pat aughton Couanrd n
174 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: Fo Height: 6-8 Weight: 235 95 Born: 9-16-19 na zo ri College: A ntest: 3rd Co nk Year in Du
GARY DINEEN; RON TURENNE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: G Height: 6-5 Weight: 209 3 Born: 1-6-199 e Dam tr o College: N e t: 1st ntes Co nk Year in Du
Aaron n Gorwrarddo
K N U D M A L S T AT&
Dwighrtd a Hoenw ter-Forward
176 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: Fo Height: 6-6 Weight: 210 97 Born: 2-15-19 LV N College: U ntest: 2nd Year in Dunk Co
ADAM PANTOZZI; ISSAC BALDIZON/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: C Height: 6-10 Weight: 265 ademy 85 Born: 12-8-19 west Atlanta Christian Ac outh High School: S t: 4th ntes Co nk Year in Du
DerrickJr. Jorwnard-Geuards
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E G N E L L A H C S L IL TACO BELL SK
Bam ayo Adeneter-Fobrward
178 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: G Height: 6-1 Weight: 180 88 Born: 7-12-19 sas a rk College: A n tition: 2nd mpe Co s ill Year in Sk
OSCAR BALDIZON; ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: C Height: 6-9 Weight: 255 97 Born: 7-18-19 cky tu n e College: K mpetition: 1st Co s ill Year in Sk
Patrick y e l r e v e B uard
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E G N E L L A H C S L IL TACO BELL SK
r Spencdedie Dinuardwi
180 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: G Height: 6-5 Weight: 180 88 Born: 7-12-19 cky tu n e College: K mpetition: 1st Co s ill Year in Sk
NATHANIEL S. BUTLER; BARRY GOSSAGE/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: G Height: 6-5 Weight: 215 3 Born: 4-6-199 do ra lo o College: C mpetition: 2nd Co s ill Year in Sk
r Shai ous-Alexande Giluagrd e
E G N E L L A H C S L IL TACO BELL SK
Khris eton Middl
182 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
ard Position: Forw 1 Height: 6-1 Weight: 240 6 Born: 5-3-199 ga za n o College: G mpetition: 1st Co s ill Year in Sk
ROCKY WIDNER; OSCAR BALDIZON/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
ard Position: Forw Height: 6-7 Weight: 222 91 Born: 8-12-19 A&M xa College: Te s tition: 1st mpe Co s ill Year in Sk
s a t n a m Do nis Sab-Coenter
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E G N E L L A H C S L IL TACO BELL SK
l Pascam Siarwakrd a
184 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Position: Fo Height: 6-8 Weight: 210 8 Born: 3-3-199 ke u College: D mpetition: 2nd Year in Skills Co
DAVID LIAM KYLE; BRIAN BABINEAU/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Position: Fo Height: 6-9 Weight: 230 4 Born: 4-2-199 co State exi w e College: N M tition: 1st mpe Co s ill Year in Sk
Jayson Tatrwaurd-Gum ard
S E L U R D N A T A RM O F E M A G R A T 2020 ALL-S
IALS RULES AND OFFIC
First Three Quarters FORMAT T eams will compete to win each of the first three quarters. E ach of the first three quarters will begin with team scores starting at zero on the main scoreboard. (The total All-Star Game score will also continue to be tracked for reference). T he winner of each 12-minute quarter (1st, 2nd & 3rd) will be the team that scores the most points within that quarter. E ach quarter is worth $100,000 to the winning team’s charity. I f both teams score the same number of points within a quarter, the charity donation at stake for that quarter will be added to the next quarter’s prize pool. RULES E ach team is allotted two timeouts per quarter (timeouts do not carry over). A mandatory timeout will be issued at the first stoppage of play under the 6:59 and 2:59 mark of each quarter.
A timeout taken by either team will replace the next mandatory timeout in that quarter, and will count against that team’s timeout total. E ach of the first three quarters will begin with a jump ball. S tandard NBA rules apply unless otherwise noted.
Fourth Quarter (FINAL TARGET SCORE) FORMAT T he winner of the All-Star Game will be the first team to reach (or surpass) the FINAL TARGET SCORE . T he FINAL TARGET SCORE will be the leading team’s total score after the first three quarters PLUS 24 points. For example, if Team LeBron leads Team Giannis with a score of 100 – 95 after the first three quarters, the FINAL TARGET SCORE is 124 (100 + 24). T he fourth quarter will begin with each team’s total score after the first three quarters on the main scoreboard. T he fourth quarter will be untimed. Shot clock rules will remain in effect. T he team that wins the All-Star
Game will earn $200,000 for its selected charity. RULES P ossession to start the fourth quarter will be awarded to the team that is trailing after three quarters. In the event the total score is tied at the end of three quarters, the fourth quarter will begin with a jump ball. E ach team is allotted two timeouts in the fourth quarter. N o mandatory timeouts will be issued. A ll rules that normally apply to the last two minutes of the fourth quarter will go into effect when the leading team reaches within eight points of the Final Target Score (e.g., bonus free throws, heightened penalty for an away-from-the-play foul, instant replay triggers/procedures*). *At this point, on-court officials will possess the sole responsibility to trigger instant replay of (1) whether a made field goal should count as two or three points, and (2) any potential shot clock violation. S tandard NBA rules apply unless otherwise noted.
ARS T S G N I S I R 0 202 each team’s assistant coaches). E ach team will have a minimum of: • Four guards and four frontcourt players • Three rookies and three sophomores T he coaching staffs for the Rising Stars teams will consist of assistant coaches from the All-Star Game.
R ising Stars will feature a team comprised of ten (10) first and second year players (Rookies and Sophomores) from the United States against a team comprised of ten (10) first and second year players (Rookies and Sophomores) from the “World” (i.e., outside the United States). T he twenty players (10 US players, 10 World players) selected on the basis of voting by the league’s assistant coaches (one vote per team from the collective of
186 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Rules - Game
F our (4) ten minute periods E ach team will have two (2) timeouts per half (no carryover) A mandatory timeout will be issued at the first stoppage of play under 5:00 of each period A timeout taken by a team will negate the mandatory timeout due in that period (1st/3rd period mandatory timeouts will be charged to the home team and the 2nd/4th period mandatory timeouts will
be charged to the visiting team or to the team not previously charged) I ndividual fouls will be kept, but a player will not foul out T he penalty will apply after four team fouls or after the second foul in the final two minutes of each period T he clock will stop after each successful field goal in the last minute of each period O vertime • Two-minute overtime period • One (1) timeout permitted per team in each overtime (75 seconds in duration) • Penalty begins on the 2nd team foul A ll other NBA rules apply A n MVP award will be given out at the conclusion of the game
IALS RULES AND OFFIC
GE N E L L A H C S L L I SK L L E B O C A T 0 202
A field of 8 players competes headto-head in a 3-round obstacle course competition that tests dribbling, passing, agility and shooting skills.
COMPETITION RULES *(See corresponding “Flow of Play”)
T wo players compete simultaneously on an identical course with the winner of each head-to-head matchup advancing to the next round. BALL HANDLING – players must observe basic NBA ball-handling rules while completing the course.
P ASSING – the passing challenge is considered complete (player can move on) when he either (1) successfully passes a ball through the target or (2) exhausts the rack of balls while attempting to complete the pass. LAYUP/DUNK – the players rebound their own ball until the basket is made. FINAL 3PT SHOT – the players must continue shooting the 3-point shot from any location on or behind his designated shooting spot until the course-ending three-pointer is made. The first player to do so wins the head-to-head matchup and advances. DISQUALIFICATION – players are subject to disqualification at the final discretion/judgment of the referee for (1) failure to complete all the challenges or (2) deliberately interfering with his opponent or his opponent’s ball. INSTANT REPLAY – at the referee’s discretion, instant replay may be utilized for clarification of rules compliance
ADVANCEMENT In each head-to-head competition, the player successfully completing the course first shall be deemed the winner of that matchup and advance to the next round.
FIRST ROUND
Each of the 4 head-to-head winners will advance to the Second Round.
SECOND ROUND
The two Second Round winners will advance to the Final Round.
FINAL ROUND
The Second Round winners will compete head-to-head to determine the Skills Challenge champion.
TIEBREAKERS
In the event of a tie in any head-tohead competition, the tied players shall repeat the course.
ST E T N O C T N I O 3-P W E D N T M 0 2 20
Eight players will compete in the two-round, timed shooting competition.
COMPETITION FORMAT
B all racks are positioned at five main shooting locations around the three-point arc. F our of the racks contain four official NBA game balls and one multi-colored “money” ball. T he NBA game balls are worth one point. The multi-colored “money” ball is worth two points. F or each rack, the multi-colored “money” ball can only be shot after the four orange balls are shot. T he fifth rack will be a special “all money ball” rack. Each competitor will decide the spot for this rack to be placed at one of the five main shooting locations. Every ball on this rack is worth two points. NEW: Two new ball pedestals are positioned at deep shot locations called “The MTN DEW
188 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Zones”, one between racks 2 and 3 and the other between racks 3 and 4. (See attached graphic on page 2 for reference) E ach ball pedestal holds one special green ball, the “3-Ball” S hots made with the green ball are worth 3 points. P layers must exhaust the ball racks and pedestals in competition order before moving on to the next shooting location P layers may not start on or over the three-point line while shooting. The basket will not count if the line is violated. For the two additional deep shots, the player must begin their shooting motion with at least one foot in the “MTN DEW Zone” designated by a floor decal. INSTANT REPLAY – At the discretion of the referee, instant replay may be utilized for clarification of rules compliance.
TIME LIMIT
E ach competitor has 70-seconds (1:10) to shoot as many of the 27 balls as he can.
FIRST ROUND O rder of competition will be determined by random drawing, except that the returning champion will compete last. T he three players with the highest scores advance to the Championship Round.
FINAL ROUND
T hree players will compete in the Final Round. T he competition order for the Final Round will be determined by the inverse order of First Round scores. (e.g., the player with the lowest score in the First Round among the players who advanced shoots first in the Final Round.)
TIEBREAKERS
T o Advance from First Round – In the event of a tie to determine the Final Round participants, a 30-second tiebreaker will take place using the same competition format described above. If necessary, this process will be repeated until the tie is broken. To Determine Champion – In the event of a tie to determine the Champion, a full 70-second (1:10) tiebreaker will take place. If necessary, this process will be repeated until the tie is broken.
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Y A L P F O W O L F GE N E L L A H C S L L I SK L L E B O C A T 0 202
IALS RULES AND OFFIC
3) CHEST PASS - Using the ball in his hand from the crossover dribble section, he attempts to complete the chest pass. If the first attempt is made, he moves on. If not, he must attempt to complete the chest pass using the two additional balls on the corresponding ball rack until either (1) a pass is made or (2) all the balls are exhausted (one ball at a time/towards the target) – at which point he moves on to: 4) NEW BALL/SPEED DRIBBLE - He picks up a new ball from a pedestal on the baseline and dribbles the length of the court back to: 5) LAYUP/DUNK - He must complete a layup/dunk and rebound his own shot.
1) START - On music cue, each player picks up his first ball from a pedestal and dribbles from the baseline to: 2) CROSSOVER DRIBBLE - Starting around the 1st pylon to the outside (toward sideline), then around the 2nd pylon to the inside (center court), the 3rd pylon to the outside, 4th pylon to the inside, then finally the 5th pylon to the outside, continuing his dribble until he approaches:
190 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
NOTE: All shots must be taken one ball at a time/towards the basket.
DISQUALIFICATION RULE - Players are subject to disqualification at the final discretion/judgment of the referee for (1) failure to complete all of the challenges or (2) deliberately interfering with his opponent or his opponent’s ball.
NOTE: He must rebound the same ball if he misses and once the shot is made he will retrieve the same ball, and proceed to the opposite end of the court to:
6
5 1
6) FINAL 3PT SHOT - Using the ball in his hand from his layup/dunk, the player will finish the competition by completing a 3-point shot from any location on or behind his designated shooting spot. Additional balls will be placed in a barrel beside the designated shooting spot. The first player to complete a 3-point shot wins the head-to-head matchup and advances.
4
2 3
ALL NEW SUNDAYS 9|8C
IALS RULES AND OFFIC
NK U D M A L S T & T 2020 A
FOUR DUNKERS will compete in the two-round competition.
RULES
JUDGES - There will be 5 judges. For each dunk, a score from six to ten will be given by each judge, resulting in a maximum score of 50 and a minimum score of 30. ATTEMPTS PER DUNK – For each scored dunk in both rounds (Dunks #1 and #2 in the First Round and Dunks # 1 and #2 in the Final Round), each dunker will be limited to three attempts to complete his dunk. ATTEMPT DEFINTION – An attempt is defined as the player controlling the basketball and moving it towards the rim. OFFICIATING – A referee will judge whether a dunk is considered a made
dunk or a missed dunk. Made dunks cannot be “replaced”, even if the dunker has remaining attempts. P ROPS – Use of any props or other people in any way during the slam dunk competition must be approved in advance of the competition by the NBA Basketball Operations department. I NSTANT REPLAY – At the discretion of the referee, instant replay may be utilized for rules compliance. FIRST ROUND – Two Dunks (#1 and #2) T he competition order for Dunk #2 of the First Round will be determined by the inverse order of the Dunk #1 scores (e.g., player with the lowest score on Dunk #1 goes first for Dunk #2). T he two dunkers with the highest composite scores (Dunk #1 + Dunk #2) advance to the Final Round –maximum 100, minimum 60. FINAL ROUND – Two Dunks (#1 and #2) T he dunker with the lowest total score from the First Round will go first in the Final Round. T he competition order for Dunk #2 of the Final Round will be determined by the
inverse order of the Dunk #1 scores (e.g., player with the lowest score on Dunk #1 goes first for Dunk #2). T he dunker with the highest Final Round composite score (Dunk #1 + Dunk #2) will be the Dunk Champion.
TIEBREAKERS
I n the event a tie in the First Round needs to be broken in order to determine one or both of the top two finishers, a one-dunk “dunk-off” involving the tied players will take place to determine which player(s) will advance to the Final Round. In the event of a tie after the Final Round, a one-dunk dunk-off will take place to determine the champion. I f still tied after the one-dunk “dunk-off” in either round, the advancing dunker(s) or winner would be determined by “Judges’ Choice”. The judges would then be asked to choose the advancing dunker(s) or winner by raising a card that has the dunker’s name on it. Consistent with the rules applicable to the First Round and the Final Round, each dunker will have three attempts to complete a dunk in any dunk-off.
S L A I C I F F O R A NBA ALL-ST RISING STARS/STATE FARM ALL-STAR SATURDAY NIGHT
NBA ALL-STAR GAME
Ray Acosta
Marc Davis
J.B. DeRosa
Justin Van Duyne
Courtney Kirkland
Eric Lewis NBA PHOTOS/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
192 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
194 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
lts All-Star Resu
ardson, 2005
Quentin RIch
3-Point Cont
est
MTN DEW 3-Point Contest
AT&T Slam Dunk 1984 1985 1986
Larry Nance, Phoenix Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta Spud Webb, Atlanta
196 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Steve Nash,
allenge
2010 Skills Ch
Michael Jordan, Chicago 1987 1988 Michael Jordan, Chicago 1989 Kenny Walker, New York 1990 Dominique Wilkins, Atlanta 1991 Dee Brown, Boston 1992 Cedric Ceballos, Phoenix 1993 Harold Miner, Miami Isaiah Rider, Minnesota 1994 Harold Miner, Miami 1995 1996 Brent Barry, L.A. Clippers Kobe Bryant, L.A. Lakers 1997 1998 No competition held 1999 * 2000 Vince Carter, Toronto 2001 Desmond Mason, Seattle Jason Richardson, Golden State 2002 2003 Jason Richardson, Golden State 2004 Fred Jones, Indiana 2005 Josh Smith, Atlanta 2006 Nate Robinson, New York 2007 Gerald Green, Boston Dwight Howard, Orlando 2008 2009 Nate Robinson, New York 2010 Nate Robinson, New York 2011 Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers 2012 Jeremy Evans, Utah 2013 Terrence Ross, Toronto 2014 East; John Wall, Washington Zach LaVine, Minnesota 2015 2016 Zach LaVine, Minnesota 2017 Glenn Robinson III, Indiana 2018 Donovan Mitchell, Utah 2019 Hamidou Diallo, Oklahoma City
Rising Stars
1994 Phenoms 74, Sensations 68 1995 White 83, Green 79 (OT) 1996 East 94, West 92 1997 East 96, West 91 1998 East 85, West 80 1999 *
2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Rookies 92, Sophomores 83 (OT) Sophomores 121, Rookies 113 Rookies 103, Sophomores 97 Sophomores 132, Rookies 112 Sophomores 142, Rookies 118 Sophomores 133, Rookies 106 Sophomores 106, Rookies 96 Sophomores 155, Rookies 114 Sophomores 136, Rookies 109 Sophomores 122, Rookies 116 Rookies 140, Sophomores 128 Rookies 148, Sophomores 140 Team Chuck 146, Team Shaq 133 Team Chuck 163, Team Shaq 135 Team Hill 142, Team Webber 136 Team World 121, Team USA 112 Team USA 157, Team World 154 Team World 150, Team USA 141 Team World 155, Team USA 124 Team USA 161, Team World 144
Taco Bell Skills Challenge 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Jason Kidd, New Jersey Baron Davis, New Orleans Steve Nash, Phoenix Dwyane Wade, Miami Dwyane Wade, Miami Deron Williams, Utah Derrick Rose, Chicago Steve Nash, Phoenix Stephen Curry, Golden State Tony Parker, San Antonio Damian Lillard, Portland West; Trey Burke & Damian Lillard Patrick Beverley, Houston Karl-Anthony Towns, Minnesota Kristaps Porzingis, New York Spencer Dinwiddie, Brooklyn Jayson Tatum, Boston
NOAH GRAHAM (2); ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN /NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
1986 Larry Bird, Boston 1987 Larry Bird, Boston 1988 Larry Bird, Boston 1989 Dale Ellis, Seattle 1990 Craig Hodges, Chicago 1991 Craig Hodges, Chicago 1992 Craig Hodges, Chicago 1993 Mark Price, Cleveland Mark Price, Cleveland 1994 1995 Glen Rice, Miami 1996 Tim Legler, Washington Steve Kerr, Chicago 1997 1998 Jeff Hornacek, Utah 1999 * 2000 Jeff Hornacek, Utah 2001 Ray Allen, Milwaukee 2002 Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2003 Peja Stojakovic, Sacramento 2004 Voshon Lenard, Denver 2005 Quentin Richardson, Phoenix Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas 2006 2007 Jason Kapono, Miami 2008 Jason Kapono, Toronto 2009 Daequan Cook, Miami 2010 Paul Pierce, Boston 2011 James Jones, Miami 2012 Kevin Love, Minnesota 2013 Kyrie Irving, Cleveland 2014 Marco Belinelli, San Antonio 2015 Stephen Curry, Golden State 2016 Klay Thompson, Golden State 2017 Eric Gordon, Houston Devin Booker, Phoenix 2018 2019 Joe Harris, Brooklyn
nk
, 1995 Slam Du Harold Miner
FOUNDATION
A Pro on the Field.
H-ABC
A Hero off the Field.
TO FIGHT
Every disease needs a cure. And every child deserves a hero. H-ABC, a rare degenerative neurological disease with no known cure, affects approximately 150 children today. That number is on the rise. Each child is waiting for research to discover a lifesaving treatment. Each child is waiting for a hero. Fund Research. • Find the Cure. • Fight H-ABC.
Learn about the symptoms, current research efforts, and how to fight H-ABC at www.h-abc.org/habc.
Our inspiration is the 150 children and their families. Yours could be to help save them!
lts All-Star Resu
ar Game MVP
St 1975 NBA AllWalt Frazier,
All-Star Games at a Glance
Result and Location East 111, West 94 at Boston East 108, West 91 at Boston West 79, East 75 at Fort Wayne East 98, West 93 (OT) at New York East 100, West 91 at New York West 108, East 94 at Rochester East 109, West 97 at Boston East 130, West 118 at St. Louis West 124, East 108 at Detroit East 125, West 115 at Philadelphia West 153, East 131 at Syracuse West 150, East 130 at St. Louis East 115, West 108 at Los Angeles East 111, West 107 at Boston East 124, West 123 at St. Louis East 137, West 94 at Cincinnati West 135, East 120 at San Francisco East 144, West 124 at New York East 123, West 112 at Baltimore East 142, West 135 at Philadelphia West 108, East 107 at San Diego West 112, East 110 at Los Angeles East 104, West 84 at Chicago West 134, East 123 at Seattle East 108, West 102 at Phoenix East 123, West 109 at Philadelphia West 125, East 124 at Milwaukee East 133, West 125 at Atlanta West 134, East 129 at Pontiac East 144, West 136 (OT) at Landover East 123, West 120 at Richfield East 120, West 118 at E. Rutherford East 132, West 123 at Los Angeles
198 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
ar Team
l-St Conference Al
Winning Coach Joe Lapchick Al Cervi John Kundla Joe Lapchick Al Cervi Charley Eckman Red Auerbach Red Auerbach Ed Macauley Red Auerbach Paul Seymour Fred Schaus Red Auerbach Red Auerbach Red Auerbach Red Auerbach Fred Schaus Alex Hannum Gene Shue Red Holzman Larry Costello Bill Sharman Tom Heinsohn Larry Costello K.C. Jones Tom Heinsohn Larry Brown Billy Cunningham Lenny Wilkens Billy Cunningham Billy Cunningham Bill Fitch Billy Cunningham
Losing Coach John Kundla John Kundla Joe Lapchick John Kundla Charley Eckman George Senesky Bobby Wanzer Alex Hannum Red Auerbach Ed Macauley Red Auerbach Red Auerbach Fred Schaus Fred Schaus Alex Hannum Fred Schaus Red Auerbach Bill Sharman Richie Guerin Richie Guerin Red Holzman Tom Heinsohn Bill Sharman Tom Heinsohn Al Attles Al Attles Gene Shue Jack Ramsay Dick Motta Lenny Wilkens John MacLeod Pat Riley Pat Riley
All-Star Game MVP Ed Macauley Paul Arizin George Mikan Bob Cousy Bill Sharman Bob Pettit Bob Cousy Bob Pettit Elgin Baylor/Bob Pettit Wilt Chamberlain Oscar Robertson Bob Pettit Bill Russell Oscar Robertson Jerry Lucas Adrian Smith Rick Barry Hal Greer Oscar Robertson Willis Reed Lenny Wilkens Jerry West Dave Cowens Bob Lanier Walt Frazier Dave Bing Julius Erving Randy Smith David Thompson George Gervin Tiny Archibald Larry Bird Julius Erving
DICK RAPHAEL; GREG FOSTER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Year 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983
1996 Eastern
Last year, Sam was too sick to dream. He has Primary Immunodeficiency or PI. Thanks to the Jeffrey Modell Foundation, he has been properly diagnosed and treated. Now he’s head of the class.
helping children reach for their dreams
info4pi.org
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nce ts (L-R): Tere nk participan n Harper, Clyde Du am Sl 87 19 , Ro hnny Dawkins Stansbury, Jo bers, Michael Jordan, am Ch Drexler, Tom rald Wilkins ey, Ge Jerome Kers
All-Star Games at a Glance
*No competitions were held in ’99.
200 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Winning Coach K.C. Jones Pat Riley K.C. Jones Pat Riley Mike Fratello Pat Riley Chuck Daly Chris Ford Don Nelson Paul Westphal Lenny Wilkens Paul Westphal Phil Jackson Doug Collins Larry Bird
Losing Coach Frank Layden K.C. Jones Pat Riley K.C. Jones Pat Riley Lenny Wilkens Pat Riley Rick Adelman Phil Jackson Pat Riley George Karl Brian Hill George Karl Rudy Tomjanovich George Karl
All-Star Game MVP Isiah Thomas Ralph Sampson Isiah Thomas Tom Chambers Michael Jordan Karl Malone Magic Johnson Charles Barkley Magic Johnson Karl Malone/John Stockton Scottie Pippen Mitch Richmond Michael Jordan Glen Rice Michael Jordan
Phil Jackson Larry Brown Don Nelson Rick Adelman Flip Saunders Stan Van Gundy Flip Saunders Mike D’Antoni Doc Rivers Phil Jackson Stan Van Gundy Gregg Popovich Scott Brooks Gregg Popovich Frank Vogel Steve Kerr Gregg Popovich Steve Kerr Dwane Casey Mike Malone
Jeff Van Gundy Rick Adelman Byron Scott Isiah Thomas Rick Carlisle Gregg Popovich Avery Johnson Eddie Jordan Byron Scott Mike Brown George Karl Doc Rivers Tom Thibodeau Erik Spoelstra Scott Brooks Mike Budenholzer Tyronn Lue Brad Stevens Mike D’Antoni Mike Budenholzer
Tim Duncan/Shaquille O’Neal Allen Iverson Kobe Bryant Kevin Garnett Shaquille O’Neal Allen Iverson LeBron James Kobe Bryant LeBron James Kobe Bryant/Shaquille O’Neal Dwyane Wade Kobe Bryant Kevin Durant Chris Paul Kyrie Irving Russell Westbrook Russell Westbrook Anthony Davis LeBron James Kevin Durant
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN ; GARRETT ELLWOOD/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Year Result and Location 1984 East 154, West 145 (OT) at Denver 1985 West 140, East 129 at Indianapolis 1986 East 139, West 132 at Dallas 1987 West 154, East 149 (OT) at Seattle 1988 East 138, West 133 at Chicago 1989 West 143, East 134 at Houston 1990 East 130, West 113 at Miami 1991 East 116, West 114 at Charlotte 1992 West 153, East 113 at Orlando 1993 West 135, East 132 (OT) at Salt Lake City 1994 East 127, West 118 at Minneapolis 1995 West 139, East 112 at Phoenix 1996 East 129, West 118 at San Antonio 1997 East 132, West 120 at Cleveland 1998 East 135, West 114 at New York 1999 * 2000 West 137, East 126 at Oakland 2001 East 111, West 110 at Washington, DC 2002 West 135, East 120 at Philadelphia 2003 West 155, East 145 (2OT) at Atlanta 2004 West 136, East 132 at Los Angeles 2005 East 125, West 115 at Denver 2006 East 122, West 120 at Houston 2007 West 153, East 132 at Las Vegas 2008 East 134, West 128 at New Orleans 2009 West 146, East 119 at Phoenix 2010 East 141, West 139 at Dallas West 148, East 143 at Los Angeles 2011 2012 West 152, East 149 at Orlando 2013 West 143, East 138 at Houston 2014 East 163, West 155 at New Orleans West 163, East 158 at New York 2015 2016 West 196, East 173 at Toronto 2017 West 192, East 182 at New Orleans 2018 Team LeBron 148, Team Stephen 145 Team LeBron 178, Team Giannis 164 2019
mes, 2012 NBA
and LeBron Ja Kobe Bryant e m Ga All-Star
Devastation after the hurricane in Haiti.
s r a t S l l A e m i All-Tgh 2019 Throu
ar Team
l-St Conference Al 1991 Western
202 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
Elton Brand Carl Braun Frank Brian Bill Bridges Fred Brown Kobe Bryant Don Buse Caron Butler Jimmy Butler Andrew Bynum Joe Caldwell Austin Carr Joe Barry Carroll Vince Carter Bill Cartwright Sam Cassell Cedric Ceballos Wilt Chamberlain Tom Chambers Tyson Chandler Len Chappell Maurice Cheeks Phil Chenier Archie Clark Nat Clifton Derrick Coleman Jack Coleman Doug Collins Larry Costello DeMarcus Cousins Bob Cousy Dave Cowens Terry Cummings Billy Cunningham Stephen Curry Bob Dandridge Adrian Dantley Brad Daugherty Bob Davies Anthony Davis Antonio Davis
Baron Davis Dale Davis Walter Davis Dave DeBusschere Luol Deng DeMar DeRozan Terry Dischinger Vlade Divac James Donaldson Goran Dragic John Drew Clyde Drexler Andre Drummond Kevin Duckworth Walter Dukes Joe Dumars Tim Duncan Kevin Durant Mark Eaton Dike Eddleman Sean Elliott Dale Ellis Joel Embiid Wayne Embry Alex English Julius Erving Patrick Ewing Ray Felix Michael Finley Eric Floyd Larry Foust Steve Francis Walt Frazier World B. Free Joe Fulks Billy Gabor Harry Gallatin Dick Garmaker Kevin Garnett Marc Gasol Pau Gasol
Chris Gatling Jack George Paul George George Gervin Artis Gilmore Manu Ginobili Tom Gola Gail Goodrich Danny Granger Horace Grant A.C. Green Draymond Green Johnny Green Rickey Green Hal Greer Blake Griffin Alex Groza Richie Guerin Tom Gugliotta Cliff Hagan Richard Hamilton Anfernee Hardaway Tim Hardaway James Harden Devin Harris Bob Harrison John Havlicek Connie Hawkins Hersey Hawkins Elvin Hayes Gordon Hayward Spencer Haywood Walt Hazzard Tom Heinsohn Roy Hibbert Grant Hill Tyrone Hill Jrue Holiday Lionel Hollins Al Horford Jeff Hornacek
Allan Houston Dwight Howard Josh Howard Juwan Howard Bailey Howell Lou Hudson Rod Hundley Mel Hutchins Andre Iguodala Zydrunas Ilgauskas Darrall Imhoff Kyrie Irving Dan Issel Allen Iverson Lucious Jackson Mark Jackson LeBron James Antawn Jamison Dennis Johnson Earvin Johnson Eddie Johnson Gus Johnson Joe Johnson John Johnson Kevin Johnson Larry Johnson Marques Johnson Neil Johnston Nikola Jokic Bobby Jones Eddie Jones Sam Jones DeAndre Jordan Michael Jordan Chris Kaman Bob Kauffman Larry Kenon Johnny Kerr Shawn Kemp Jason Kidd Bernard King
NATHANIEL S. BUTLER/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Shareef Abdur-Rahim Alvan Adams Michael Adams Mark Aguirre Danny Ainge LaMarcus Aldridge Ray Allen Kenny Anderson Giannis Antetokounmpo Carmelo Anthony Nate Archibald Gilbert Arenas Paul Arizin B.J. Armstrong Ron Artest Vin Baker Charles Barkley Don Barksdale Dick Barnett Leo Barnhorst Dana Barros Rick Barry Elgin Baylor Bradley Beal Butch Beard Ralph Beard Zelmo Beatty Walt Bellamy Chauncey Billups Dave Bing Larry Bird Otis Birdsong Rolando Blackman Mookie Blaylock John Block Bob Boozer Carlos Boozer Vince Boryla Chris Bosh Bill Bradley
DIFFERENT NATIONAL ORIGINS.
SAME FAIR HOUSING RIGHTS.
It is illegal for landlords and real estate agents to deny you housing opportunities because of your ethnicity. The Fair Housing Act prohibits housing discrimination based on national origin. If you believe you have experienced a violation of your rights, file a complaint.
Go to hud.gov/fairhousing or call 1-800-669-9777 Federal Relay Service 1-800-877-8339
FAIR HOUSING: THE LAW IS ON YOUR SIDE. A public service message from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in cooperation with the National Fair Housing Alliance. The federal Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status or disability.
s r a t S l l A e m i All-Tgh 2019 Throu
, 1997 Scottie Pippen
NBA All-Star
Game
204 ||| NBA All-Star 2020
George McGinnis Jon McGlocklin Tracy McGrady Dick McGuire Kevin McHale Tom Meschery Khris Middleton George Mikan Vern Mikkelsen Eddie Miles Paul Millsap Brad Miller Reggie Miller Mike Mitchell Steve Mix Sidney Moncrief Earl Monroe Alonzo Mourning Chris Mullin Jeff Mullins Calvin Murphy Dikembe Mutombo Larry Nance Steve Nash Calvin Natt Willie Naulls Jameer Nelson Norm Nixon Joakim Noah Chuck Noble Dirk Nowitzki Charles Oakley Don Ohl Mehmet Okur Victor Oladipo Hakeem Olajuwon Jermaine O’Neal Shaquille O’Neal Robert Parish Tony Parker Chris Paul Jim Paxson
NBA All-Star
Game
Gary Payton Geoff Petrie Bob Pettit Andy Philip Paul Pierce Ricky Pierce Scottie Pippen Jim Pollard Terry Porter Kristaps Porzingis Jim Price Mark Price Zach Randolph Theo Ratliff Michael Redd Willis Reed Richie Regan Glen Rice Micheal Ray Richardson Mitch Richmond Arnie Risen Glenn Rivers Alvin Robertson Oscar Robertson Clifford Robinson David Robinson Flynn Robinson Glenn Robinson Truck Robinson Red Rocha Guy Rodgers Dennis Rodman Rajon Rondo Derrick Rose Dan Roundfield Curtis Rowe Brandon Roy Jeff Ruland Bob Rule Bill Russell Campy Russell Cazzie Russell
D’Angelo Russell Ralph Sampson Woody Sauldsberry Fred Schaus Dolph Schayes Detlef Schrempf Fred Scolari Charlie Scott Ken Sears Frank Selvy Paul Seymour Lee Shaffer Bill Sharman Lonnie Shelton Gene Shue Jack Sikma Paul Silas Ben Simmons Jerry Sloan Adrian Smith Phil Smith Randy Smith Steve Smith Rik Smits Latrell Sprewell Jerry Stackhouse John Starks John Stockton Peja Stojakovic Maurice Stokes Amar’e Stoudemire Don Sunderlage Wally Szczerbiak Jeff Teague Reggie Theus Isaiah Thomas Isiah Thomas David Thompson Klay Thompson Otis Thorpe Nate Thurmond Rudy Tomjanovich
Andrew Toney Karl-Anthony Towns Kelly Tripucka Jack Twyman Wes Unseld Dick Van Arsdale Tom Van Arsdale Kiki VanDeWeghe Nick Van Exel Norm Van Lier Nikola Vucevic Dwyane Wade Antoine Walker Chet Walker Jimmy Walker Kemba Walker John Wall Ben Wallace Gerald Wallace Rasheed Wallace Paul Walther Bill Walton Bobby Wanzer Kermit Washington Chris Webber Scott Wedman David West Jerry West Russell Westbrook Paul Westphal Jo Jo White Sidney Wicks Lenny Wilkens Jamaal Wilkes Dominique Wilkins Buck Williams Deron Williams Gus Williams Jayson Williams Mo Williams Kevin Willis Yao Ming
ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN; JOE MURPHY/NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Jim King Andrei Kirilenko Billy Knight Don Kojis Kyle Korver Sam Lacey Christian Laettner Bill Laimbeer Bob Lanier Rudy LaRusso Clyde Lee David Lee Kawhi Leonard Lafayette Lever Rashard Lewis Reggie Lewis Damian Lillard Brook Lopez Bob Love Kevin Love Clyde Lovellette Kyle Lowry Jerry Lucas Maurice Lucas Ed Macauley Jamaal Magloire Dan Majerle Jeff Malone Karl Malone Moses Malone Danny Manning Pete Maravich Stephon Marbury Shawn Marion Jack Martin Kenyon Martin Slater Martin Jamal Mashburn Anthony Mason Bob McAdoo Xavier McDaniel Antonio McDyess
unmpo, 2017
toko Giannis Ante
You can’t fake real. When it comes to basketball, there’s nobody realer than Chris Paul. When it comes to protecting what matters most, there’s nobody realer than State Farm®.
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