by G League draft pick Mac McClung may have saved Saturday night’s dunk contest, but now it looks like the NBA All-Star Game itself needs saving. Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron on Sunday, 184-175, in a game that resembled more a lay-up line or shooting practice than a competitive game of basketball between the best athletes in the world.
The Elam Ending provided some fourth-quarter drama as Team LeBron tried to erase a 19-point deficit, but the rest of the game lacked any kind of competitiveness or advantage on the defensive end of the court. Jayson Tatum earned MVP honors after setting an All-Star Game record with 55 points, many of which came with little to no resistance.
Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who coached losing Team LeBron on Sunday night, didn’t mince words after the game, speaking out against the lack of effort on both sides.
“It’s an honor to be here. It’s an honor to be part of a great weekend, great players. But this is the worst game of basketball ever played,” Malone said after the All-Star game. “I don’t know if you can fix this. I give Joel Embiid, Kyrie Irving – these guys were competing. Joel was begging some of the guys to play more, to try and get some defense. Injured, they put on a show for the fans, but this is a tough game to take, not gonna lie.
Malone wasn’t the only one who took notice, as fans and media alike commented throughout the game on the quality – or lack thereof – during the 2023 edition.
As Malone mentioned, Embiid and Irving at least seemed to be competing, putting together 67 points, 20 assists, 20 rebounds and four steals, but it’s hard to get the best players in the league to work hard in an exhibition environment, particularly in the playoffs. . less than two months away.
Case in point, LeBron James tried to play defense in the first half, trying to block a Pascal Siakam layup. On the play, he caught his hand in the hoop and was sidelined for the second half due to injury.
With the Los Angeles Lakers fighting for a playoff berth, James will regret the day he tried to play defense in an All-Star game if it means losing even one of the team’s next crucial games.
So, as Malone said, there may not be a solution, particularly in a traditional format. The league implemented the Elam Ending with the scoring goal a few years ago, which helped in the last quarter, but not much can be done in the first three quarters. They are the elite of the elite and simply aren’t going to risk their health for a game that ultimately doesn’t affect the rating.
Unless there’s a significant change in mindset for the players, or the league in terms of the revised format, don’t expect future All-Star Games to be much different.
