The 2018 NBA All-Star Game was under a much different structure than its previous editions, and it was awesome. Teams captained by LeBron James and Stephen Curry will took court with rosters the two drafted three weeks ago. In previous years, teams were divided by the Eastern and Western Conference, but the league opted to spice things up this season.
And boy did it work. A competitive game down the stretch ended with a furious Team LeBron comeback and a 148-145 victory. This play -- a real play designed out of a timeout — gave Team LeBron a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Previous years felt dull, and the common complaint was that a lack of defense made the game unwatchable. There’s merit to that. The 2017 All-Star Game saw a record in points scored with 274 combined. The MVP, Anthony Davis, scored half of his 52 points on uncontested dunks.
This time around, Team LeBron sealed the victory with a ferocious defensive stop.
Last March, Commissioner Adam Silver vowed to change the format, after Chris Paul (the president of the NBA Players Association) texted him saying “we need to fix this.” Silver noted that Paul suggested that they use team captains, and that’s what’s in place this All-Star weekend.
It’s a shame Paul didn’t get a chance to participate in the new format he initiated.
Players, media, and fans voted for the All-Star starters. Fans’ votes were weighted most, compiling 50 percent of the total points, and media and player votes accounted for 25 percent each. The 10 starters chosen this year were James, Curry, Joel Embiid, Giannis Antetokounmpo, DeMarcus Cousins, Anthony Davis, Kyrie Irving, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden, and Kevin Durant.
The remaining 14 players were chosen by a coach’s vote, picking seven players from each conference. Those players are Russell Westbrook, Karl-Anthony Towns, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Kristaps Porzingis, Kevin Love, Victor Oladipo, Kyle Lowry, Al Horford, John Wall, Bradley Beal, Damian Lillard, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Jimmy Butler.
James and Curry received the most votes overall, and were named captains. From there, they alternated picks starting with James (the leading vote-getter) to each select four of the eight remaining starters. (Steph Curry had first selection over jerseys.) There were no limitations regarding conference, and each athlete was free to select whoever he thought would make the best teammate.
After the starters were picked, the captains selected the reserves.
Yes, four All-Stars have suffered major injuries since they were drafted on Jan. 25.
Kevin Love broke a bone in his hand, which will sideline him for at least another month. The Heat’s Goran Dragic was chosen in his place.
DeMarcus Cousins tore his Achilles, which cost him his season. He was replaced by the Thunder’s Paul George.
John Wall had surgery on his knee, which will keep him out for another month. He was replaced by Pistons center Andre Drummond.
Most recently, Kristaps Porzingis tore his ACL. He was replaced by the Hornets’ Kemba Walker.
All of those injuries happened to players who were supposed to play on LeBron’s team. There was talk that his team was cursed!
Yes, players on the winning team will make more money than they used to.
In previous years, players on the winning team would each take home $50,000, and this year, they’ll make $100,000.
The players appeared to be into the new format on social media before the game, and there’s more pride in playing for a team that drafted you rather than a conference. Expect this format to stay for years to come.