High 5 most memorable moments of the 72nd Annual All-Star Weekend in Salt Lake Metropolis – Basketball Insiders

By 7 months ago

Earlier than we formally lunge again to the NBA common season, we nonetheless have many tales to uncover surrounding this weekend’s 72nd Annual All-Star occasions celebrated within the Vivint Enviornment in Salt Lake Metropolis, Utah. 

The notorious occasion that starred this weekend may not be an official competitors, however there are at all times entertaining tales that ought to stay within the reminiscence of true basketball followers for a very long time, if not without end.

Simply to reminisce about a couple of, some honorable mentions are the succesful pregame All-Star Draft, Adam Silver exhibiting next-generation know-how involving the NBA, and even the $100,000 donation to 2 U.S. universities.

Nonetheless, we made our personal listing of the High 5 most excellent moments from this NBA All-Star weekend in Utah:

5. High 3 historic scorers collectively on the stage

At halftime of the All-Star Sport, the NBA had ready a ceremony to have a good time LeBron James, who this previous February 7 he grew to become the league’s all-time main scorer.

Former Warmth star Dwayne Wade launched the Lakers 38-year-old because the No.2 scorer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and the third-leading scorer Karl Malone awaited on the platform to obtain the brand new scoring king.

Watch the second all three superstars share the stage as James stood within the center, with Abdul-Jabbar and Malone standing on the left and proper, respectively.

4. Birthday boy Jokic wasn’t going to be drafted final

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic grew to become the primary participant in NBA historical past to have a good time his birthday as an All-Star starter on this weekend’s 72nd Annual All-Star Sport. The reigning two-time MVP, who turned 28 this Sunday, wasn’t chosen till the tip of the Draft, as simply him and Lauri Markkanen sat awaiting to be picked.

Earlier than LeBron even opened his mouth to announce his final choose, The Joker acquired up with an uncomfortable smile and patted the Lakers participant on the again. Watch the scenario and decide it yourselves:

“I’d not draft myself both. I’m not meant for this sport.” Nikola Jokic joked about falling to select 7 within the All-Star Draft final evening.

Coach Michael Malone stated it was all a misunderstanding. “[Nikola Jokic] feels unhealthy as a result of he didn’t notice that Lauri Markkanen was nonetheless on the stage… He thought he was the final choose.” Michael Malone defined.

3. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown taking part in towards one another

Boston Celtics teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown needed to play towards one another throughout this All-Star Sport, because the foward was chosen by Group Giannis, and the guard performed with LeBron.

Throughout quite a few events, the gamers confronted one another on a 1-on-1, with each Celtics stars dropping superb factors, one after the opposite.

Listed below are a number of the highlights from this unbelievable conflict between teammates:

Tatum ended up making historical past this Sunday, as he grew to become the primary participant to ever carry out a 55-point sport in a single All-Star contest, as his staff ended up profitable towards James’ aspect by 9 factors (184 to 175).

2. Jose Alvarado’s final second 3-pointer

Pelicans guard Jose Alvarado earned the honour of changing into this 12 months’s Rising Star Most Helpful Participant, particularly due to his final second drop to seal the win for Group Pau Gasol over Joakim Noah’s squad.

His final present was principally spectacular due to the truth that ge anticipated the game-winning shot, as he determined to name on a guess with Donovan Mitchell who was sitting near the bench watching the sport.

“What you wanna guess if I take the final shot, and I make it?” Alvarado requested the Cavs star.

Watch the actions proper earlier than Alvarado dropped the ball within the rim to conclude the competition 25-20:

Alvarado first scored 14 factors in his staff’s semifinal conflict towards Group Deron, earlier than dropping 5 factors within the title sport, together with the championship winner. “I consider in myself 100%. I consider in myself out of this world,” the younger star stated after the match.”However that is one thing I didn’t even consider and even dream of.”

1. Mac McClung saved the Slam Dunk Contest

The 24-year-old participant acquired topped the perfect of the competition regardless of not technically being an NBA participant but, as he hasn’t formally performed for the Sixers. As soon as a child who grew to become well-known for his dunks as a young person on YouTube, he now carries the trophy for conquering this 12 months’s notorious NBA Slam Dunk. 

Final evening on the All-Stars in Utah, the scenes have been nothing lower than heroic, because the younger athlete is now praised because the “savior” of the slam competitors. The event had dropped in worth in the course of the previous years, as contributors failed their makes an attempt with out creativity and stars started to withdraw from the competition.

“Ever because the starting, I used to be the underdog,” McClung stated as he celebrated,  as a result of now he owns a trophy that solely legends like Kobe Bryant or Michael Jordan possess. “Proving others proper as a substitute of others unsuitable, brings slightly extra satisfaction.”

Three out of his 4 dunks have been thought-about good 50s by the judges. Certainly one of his highlights this Saturday was a 540-degree flip we’ve solely seen earlier than in gymnasts, acrobats or possibly snowboardes, however by no means in basketball!

Try how Mac McClung impressed all of the 20,000 spectators on the Vivint Enviornment in Salt Lake Metropolis:

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