After scoring 23 points on 9-of-18 shooting (including 5-of-11 from deep), Boston Celtics point guard Kemba Walker earned some time at the podium for the 2020 NBA All-Star Game.
While his Team Giannis would lose 157-155 to Team LeBron, the UConn product truly enjoyed his time in this year’s February friendly.
“It was fun,” offered the Bronx native.
“We just wanted to be competitive. That’s all we spoke about in the huddles. It’s always a blessing and an honor to get here. I’ve come a long way in my career. This is my fourth All-Star. I’m blessed, and it’s always an exciting time to get a chance to be a part of this.”
The competitive nature of the annual exhibition was perhaps the night’s biggest surprise, with the winners of each quarter securing the bigger bag for their respective charities cheering them on from the sidelines, culminating in a startlingly competitive final frame.
The fourth quarter saw a new wrinkle called the Elam ending instituted, which adds a set number of points to the leading score of the first three quarters, the first team to reach or pass the set number winning.
Kemba finds Embiid with the RIDICULOUS pass in #PhantomCam. #NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/mkkunDh8G8
— 2020 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) February 17, 2020
To honor recently-deceased Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant, the number for this particular event was 24 — one of his two jersey numbers with the Lakers — and the new format produced play at a level of competitiveness worthy of Bryant’s memory.
Walker was a big fan of the change, and the results it delivered in terms of spicing up an event that had grown increasingly stale in recent years.
“I thought it was cool,” noted the 29-year old floor general.
“I had no idea coming into the game, I didn’t know what to expect. As we played, it was great. That’s what everybody wants to see. They want to see a competitive game. That’s what it was in the fourth.”
“Hopefully, we can keep it going,” he added.
One of Walker’s favorite moments actually came earlier in the contest, when he had a chance to square off with Celtics teammate and budding star forward Jayson Tatum.
The two had been engaging in some friendly trash talk after getting drafted to different teams, with the Duke swingman being taken by Team LeBron.
The New Yorker related how the moment transpired, explaining how he, “locked him up, like [he] told him [he would].”
“It’s cool, man. That’s my little brother. He’s been having a hell of a season. He deserves to be here. And it was cool for me to get a chance to go up to him. I’m super proud of him. It was a great moment for both of us.”
Walker felt the boosted intensity created by the introduction of the charity element and especially the Elam ending was an excellent way to honor the memory of Kobe.
Bryant’s premature loss was inextricable from All-Star weekend, even in moments not specifically created to memorialize the generational talent, and the All-Star Game itself was no exception according to the former Husky.
“Growing up, watching Kobe in those games, I felt like he was always competitive, and he was kind of the one who got the game going,” explained Walker. “I think we kept that going tonight.”
Kemba, Tatum and the entire NBA paid tribute to Kobe and Gianna Bryant during an emotional All-Star game in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/812RGVCMxt
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 17, 2020
In fact, Boston’s starting point guard was so engaged by the game, he effectively ignored his trainer’s recommendations to play for nearly the entirety of the hyper-competitive final frame.
“I was actually supposed to be on a minute restriction, but the game got too close,” said Walker. “I wanted to be out there. I wanted to compete. I knew down the stretch that it would get serious like that, and I wanted to be a part of it.”
Granted, the man who almost single-handedly dragged his alma mater to an NCAA championship by force of will alone is one of the most competitive players in the world.
But the fact that this sentiment seemed to be shared by everyone on the court (and appreciated by everyone watching, save perhaps for the referees) suggests the new format was a hit for all involved.
For Walker, only a win could have made it better.
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