LOS ANGELES—The 67th NBA All-Star Game was a nail-biter on Sunday, February 18, as LeBron James rallied from 13-points behind to steal victory from Team Stephen, 148-145.
The worn out custom of East vs. West was revamped- captains LeBron James from the Cleveland Cavaliers and Steph Curry of the Champion Golden State Warriors hand picked their rosters.
King James made the game winning lay up with 34.5 seconds left, en route to his third All-Star MVP. Steph Curry had an opportunity to tie the game as time expired, but Kevin Durant’s swarming defense prevented Curry from hoisting one up.
The changes to the All-Star game were magnificent. Having LeBron and Curry being team captains raised the stakes considerably. The most enjoyable sight to behold was actual DEFENSE!
This was the record sixth time the NBA All-Star game was held in the City of Angels.
Every player on the winning team got a cool $100,000! Frankly, it was the best pick up game one could imagine.
“I think myself and Stephen took it upon ourselves when we took on this format that we had to change the way this game was played,” said James, who also had 10 rebounds and eight assists.
The All-Stars’ shooting percentages and final scores were way down from recent seasons, reflecting the effort on the floor. The relaxed All-Star vibe was still at Staples, however, Curry chowed down on a box of popcorn on the bench during the third quarter.
Every Laker fan was scouting potential free agents this summer including Paul George, Russell Westbrook and the aforementioned King James.
In this divisive, polarizing time in American history, everything has become political. LeBrons biggest insult wasn’t hurled by a Golden State Warrior, nor by his former teeammate Kyrie Irving. It was conservative pundit Laura Ingraham of all people who criticized LeBron.
This week, ESPN ran a segment featuring KD and LeBron sitting in the back of a car taking a pleasent ride. No surprise the topic of President Trump inevitably came up.
Both superstars lamblasted our Commander and Chief; Ingraham suggested LeBron should,”shut up and dribble.”
Ingrahm isn’t the only person sick and tired of every awards show- now athletic competition becoming politicized. First, it makes bad television when a privleged millionaire explains how we need to alter our core values and beliefs just because we admire their exceptional talent. Second, these comments are nearly always liberal viewpoints condemning Republicans.
In this case, Ingraham lost this one on one against James. The comment reeked of racism-plus Lebron has always helped out his community. In fact, Team LeBron raised $300,000 for after school programs in Los Angeles.
Back to the game: the All-Star Game featured no Lakers or Clippers, who share Staples Center during the regular season. Several All-Stars had Los Angeles roots, including area natives Paul George, Russell Westbrook, DeMar DeRozan, James Harden and Klay Thompson.
George and James are coveted as off-season signings by Lakers fans, but there was no reprise of the “We want Paul!” chants for the Palmdale native after Saturday’s All-Star practice.
Here are the celebrities who attended-folks in the Southland are more interested in who is sitting courtside. Jack Nicholson, Beyonce, Rihanna, Snoop Dogg, Chadwick Boseman, Chance the Rapper, Jimmy Kimmel, Michael B. Jordan, Chris Rock, Ludacris, Common, Spike Lee, Andy Garcia, Dave Chappelle, DJ Khaled, Tracy Morgan, Sean Combs, Odell
Beckham Jr. and pregame host Kevin Hart, who was hilarious and, thankfully not tipsy.
Anyone remember his behavior after the Philadelphia Eagles won their Super Bowl? The entire NBA All-Star weekend was a swish!
