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Howdy, folks. Welcome back to Layup Lines. It’s Sykes, once again, here to usher you into an amazing All-Star weekend coming up.
This weekend is going to be so fun y’all. We’re going to get so much from the league. There’s a reason everyone always looks forward to All-Star weekend during the NBA season.
Yes, obviously, it’s a big landmark within the season itself. Teams get to gear up for that final stretch of ball before the playoffs, which is obviously another exciting moment for everyone.
But All-Star weekend is bigger than that. It’s not only an exhibition between players, but it’s a celebration of the sport on its biggest stage.
The NBA always finds a way to place its best talent on the big stage, too. This year, for example, Scoot Henderson is showcasing his skill against NBA players in the Rising Stars challenge on Friday.
A G-League player taking part in All-Star weekend was something previously unheard of. But it makes so much sense. Where other leagues might be afraid to do something like that, the NBA embraces it. It’s always looking for ways to improve upon an already amazing All-Star format.
That includes adding the Elam ending a few seasons ago, too. Oh, and the hilarious draft that we’ll all get to watch before the game starts. And doing things like allowing Dirk Nowitzki and Dwyane Wade “legacy” spots on the All-Star team despite there being no precedent for that before.
The NBA turns All-Star weekend into a celebration better than any other league does it. The Pro Bowl can’t touch this. Only Major League Baseball’s All-Star weekend even comes close.
Obviously, the Super Bowl is a bigger event than the NBA All-Star game and has more eyes. But that game is about two teams. The NBA’s star-studded exhibition is about the entire sport. It brings the game’s best together and celebrates them all in so many cool ways. And that’s something to be appreciated.
So, if only for this weekend, set the fandom for your favorite team aside, squash the beef you have with your most hated player and just celebrate.
Because that’s what this weekend is about. The stars are out, family.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
Before this week, I’d never seen anyone celebrate being called for a 3-second violation on either end. But Jarrett Allen and the Cleveland Cavaliers did — and he explained why.
That’s just how the team defends, my colleague Bryan Kalbrosky writes. They man the paint for as long as possible until something is called.
It’s like a holding call in the NFL — the refs can’t call it every time. Right?
“The arena is silent and yet you can hear Allen thunderously roar as he is called for a penalty. What is the context that Van Gundy and non-Cleveland fans were missing?
Well, as you could have guessed, Allen didn’t just go rogue and decide he was happy that Philadelphia was given a free trip to the line. This is actually a defensive philosophy pushed by Cavaliers head coach JB Bickerstaff.
Bickerstaff said “we don’t care” if the call is made because he “begged” his bigs to protect the paint (via Cleveland.com)”
This is wild, y’all.
Shootaround
— Here are our NBA power rankings headed into the All-Star break
— We also have reverse power rankings too. Go winless for Wembanyama.
— This NBA weird app feature got turned into a hilarious meme
— Here are some betting futures for NBA awards that you absolutely need to check out.