Each year, the All-Star Game is one of the milestones of the NBA season. Even if it seems to have lost its luster over time, some of its events remain unmissable. Back on the program of festivities, which will be held from this Friday, February 17 to Sunday, February 19.
Vendredi : All-Star Celebrity Game
In the night from Friday to Saturday, the serious things begin with a match… not so serious, precisely. AT 1am (French time), actors, singers, athletes and other familiar faces will have the opportunity to shine ball in hand during the Celebrity Game.
On one side, the captain’s team Dwyane Wade will be coached by Giannis Antetokounmpoher brothers Thanasis and Alex, as well as by the former skier Lindsey Vonn. On the other hand, the workforce Ryan Smith – the jazz boss – will be able to count on the valuable advice of the former WNBA champion Lisa Forest.
The numbers don’t really matter, after all. Here, the challenge is not to see beautiful basketball. On the contrary, we prefer a few misses and a touch of humor.
After all, don’t rely on rappers Hearts et 21 Savage to develop complex systems in the field. Frances Tiafoe (tennis), DK Metcalf, Calvin Johnson (Foot US), The Miz (WWE) it Albert Pujols (baseball) clearly have the physical skills to shine. Some of them have already showed the extent of their offensive palette, but they are still far from their area of expertise. Fortunately, WNBA players Diamond DeShields et Arike Ogunbowale will be there to raise the bar.
Who stands out to you on the 2023 Celebrity All-Star Game rosters?
???? @NBA pic.twitter.com/siECIV6IKh
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 8, 2023
Vendredi : Rising Stars
AT 3am, celebrities give way to youth with the Rising Stars. The mini-tournament will pit teams of Rookies, Sophomores and G League players against each other. Each team has been drafted and will be coached by former All-Stars: Pau Gasol, Deron Williams, Joakim Noah et Jason Terry.
- Team Paul : Paolo Banchero (Magic), Benedict Mathurin (Pacers), Jaden Ivey (Pistons), Scottie Barnes (Raptors), Jose Alvarado (Pelicans), Keegan Murray (Kings), Andrew Nembhard (Pacers)
- Team Deron : Franz Wagner (Magic), Alperen Sengun (Rockets), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans), AJ Griffin (Hawks), Bones Hyland (Nuggets), Walker Kessler (Jazz), Ayo Dosunmu (Bulls)
- Team Joakim : Evan Mobley (Cavaliers), Josh Giddey (Thunder), Jalen Williams (Thunder), Jeremy Sochan (Spurs), Quentin Grimes (Knicks), Jabari Smith Jr (Rockets), Tari Eason (Rockets)
- Team Jason (G League) : Sidy Cissoko, Scoot Henderson, Mojave King, Leonard Miller (Ignite), Kenneth Lofton Jr (Memphis Hustle), Mac McClung (Delaware Blue Coats), Scotty Pippen Jr (South Bay Lakers)
Jalen Green et Jalen Duren, injured, unfortunately had to leave their place for the event. Note that France will be represented by Sidy Cissoko, the only Frenchman invited to the All-Star weekend.
For the first two games, the first team to 40 points will be declared the winner. This will thus arrive in the final, which will be won by the first team with 25 points. An intriguing format, which promises fun confrontations.
Mook REVERSE #11 Michael Jordan Special
Saturday: Competition night
What would the All-Star Game be without its traditional contests? From 2am The Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Contest, then the Dunk Contest will follow.
The first event, the Skills Challenge, consists of a series of technical exercises. Three teams of three players will compete in a sort of race against time.
- Team Antetokounmpo: Giannis Antetokounmpo, Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Alex Antetokounmpo (Wisconsin Herd)
- Team Jazz : Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton (Utah Jazz)
- Team Rookies : Paolo Banchero (Magic), Jaden Ivey (Pistons), Jabari Smith Jr (Rockets)
The Kia Skills Challenge participants and teams ⬇️
Event format and rules: https://t.co/VAIPdW1jWl pic.twitter.com/ur44fm07JN
— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) February 15, 2023
For the second event, everything is in the name: 3-Point Contest. The participants will logically face each other in a shooting battle behind the line, one of the highlights of the Weekend.
- The complete list of participants: Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Tyler Herro (Heat), Buddy Hield (Pacers), Kevin Huerter (Kings), Damian Lillard (Blazers), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Jayson Tatum (Celtics) et Julius Randle (Knicks)
Finally, it is certainly the second most anticipated moment of the All-Star Game: the dunk contest. Four participants will try to impress the jury with original and daring figures. If the show has lost its interest, in particular due to the absence of stars, it remains at the heart of the festivities.
- The complete list of participants: Kenyon Martin Jr (Rockets), Mac McClung (76ers), Trey Murphy III (Pelicans), Jericho Sims (Knicks)
Sunday: All-Star Game
The game around which everything else revolves will start to 2:30 a.m.. But before that, go to 1h30for the Captains Draft LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo. They will be able, in turn, to compose their team before competing on the field. The new format, implemented in 2020, will remain that of this edition.
Holders: Giannis Antetokounmpo (Bucks), Luka Doncic (Mavericks), Joel Embiid (Sixers), Kyrie Irving (Mavericks), LeBron James (Lakers), Nikola Jokic (Nuggets), Lauri Markkanen (Jazz), Donovan Mitchell (Cavaliers), Ja Morant (Grizzlies), Jayson Tatum (Celtics)
Replacements: Bam Adebayo (Heat), Jaylen Brown (Celtics), DeMar DeRozan (Bulls), Tyrese Haliburton (Pacers), Jrue Holiday (Bucks), Julius Randle (Knicks), Pascal Siakam (Raptors), Anthony Edwards (Wolves), De’Aaron Fox (Kings), Paul George (Clippers), Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (Thunder), Damian Lillard (Blazers), Domantas Sabonis (Kings)
Team Captains @KingJames and @Giannis_An34 will select from the Player Pool in the 2023 #NBAAllStar Draft presented by Jordan Brand.
It will air as a new, live pregame segment at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 7:30 pm ET from Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City. pic.twitter.com/fkl1kg3adQ
— NBA (@NBA) February 3, 2023
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant et Zion Williamson, injured, unfortunately had to give up on this meeting. Other players like Joel Embiid et Jaylen Brown have indicated that they are not certain of being able to play the match. Antetokounmpo, who injured his wrist on Thursday, could also be among the last-minute absentees.
Emotion, trashtalk and a spoiled ending: Michael Jordan’s last All-Star Game could have been perfect
The complete program
Friday :
- 1h – All-Star Celebrity Game
- 3h – Rising Stars
SATURDAY :
- 2h – Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest, Dunk Contest
Sunday :
- 19h – NBA Legends Awards
- 1h30 – Draft des All-Stars
- 2h30 – All-Star Game
Mook REVERSE #11 Michael Jordan Special
