There is no need to continue crossing off the days on the calendar, since the last hours characterized by the emotion and spectacle that the North American league offers, kicks off tonight with the All-Star Celebrity Game and Rising Star in Cleveland.
Speaking of the Celebrity Game, the event that will kick off All-Star Weekend this Friday, will feature the participation of singers, comedians, actors, former basketball players and other protagonists of the sports world, who will be in charge of forming part of the squads in the match between ‘Team Walton’ and ‘Team Nique’.
The rosters for the All-Star Celebrity Game are set! ????
(via @NBAAllStar) pic.twitter.com/D6onUkKKzj
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) February 9, 2022
Minutes following the end of this meeting, the turn will be for the Rising Star that for this year completely changed its format. Now, not only will first and second-year NBA players be considered, but four G-League basketball players will also be selected. This way, a total of four teams made up of seven players each, will play two semifinals to the best of 50 pointspassing the two best teams to face each other in a final to the best of 25 points.
(See also: [Video] Egan Bernal is already capable of kicking the ball and jokes comparing himself with Messi)
Do not disturb, we go into mode #NBAAllStar ????
Tonight the game is played #CloroxRisingStars! pic.twitter.com/bPpZfHH6kO
— NBA Latam (@NBALatam) February 18, 2022
Turning now to Saturday’s agenda, Quicken Loans Arena is ready to host the contest of skills, 3-pointers and dunks. As happened with the Rising Star, for this occasion the Tacko Bell Skills Challenge also established a new system in its format: tThree teams of three players will face each other in a four-round duel where the players will have to bring out their talent when it comes to dribbling, passing and shooting the ball.
List of participants for February 19
Skills Contest: Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham and Josh Giddey (Team Rooks); Alex Antetokounmpo, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Thanasis Antetokounmpo (Team Antetokounmpos) and Jarrett Allen, Darius Garland and Evan Mobley (Team Cavs).
Triple Contest: Desmond Bane (Memphis Grizzlies), Luke Kennard (L.A Clippers), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), C.J. McCollum (New Orleans Pelicans), Patty Mills (Brooklyn Nets), Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota Timberwolves), Fred VanVleet (Toronto Raptors) y Trae Young (Atlanta Hawks).
Mate contest: Juan Toscano-Anderson (Golden State Warriors), Jalen Green (Houstoun Rockets), Cole Anthony (Orlando Magic) y Obbi Topin (New York Knicks).
Six years have passed since one of the best Dump Contests in history, starring Aaron Gordon and Zach LaVine. pic.twitter.com/SsfSc3u1sN
— Sixth Man (@6toManLATAM) February 13, 2022
Finally, the end of the All-Star Weekend arrives with one of the most desired events of the year in the sports world. LThe 24 best players of the regular season will face each other in a game where impossible shots, Magic Johnson-type assists and dunks that demonstrate the athletic ability of the participants will be the protagonists.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant will be the respective captains of their teams for the second consecutive yearand, under the game format that was implemented from the 2020 All-Star Game in memory of Kobe Bryant, a competitive environment is expected where both casts will seek to raise funds for the foundation they will be representing.
LeBron James and Kevin Durant, captains of the Eastern and Western Conference teams made their choice of starting players for the 2022 All Star Game.#AllStarGame #NBA pic.twitter.com/fZUlmZIU4c
— Sports Precision (@PrecisionDva) February 11, 2022
Finally, it should be noted that James Harden will not be able to play the All-Star Game due to his hamstring injury, and his replacement will be Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen.