Tag: nba rising stars challenge

Eric Paschall played with ‘Mamba mentality’ in NBA Rising Stars Challenge

Eric Paschall scored a team-high 23 points in the Rising Stars Challenge using “Mamba mentality.”

Since the tragic passing of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others in a fatal helicopter crash, the NBA has honored the fallen legend across the league.

Players around the association, including members of the Golden State Warriors, have posted social media tributes to Bryant. Stephen Curry and Draymond Green have posted messages on social media in honor of Bryant. In the Warriors’ first game in San Francisco since Bryant’s passing, the Chase Center paid respect throughout the night.

At All-Star Weekend in Chicago, the tributes to Bryant didn’t stop. Warriors rookie Eric Paschall used his moment at All-Star weekend to honor Bryant.

The only member of the Warriors participating in All-Star festivities, Paschall led Team USA with 23 points in the Rising Stars Challenge. After the game, Paschall spoke to reporters in Chicago, saying his target for the contest was to “play with Mamba mentality.”

Go out there and play with Mamba mentality. The second group decided to play a little harder. They started to play hard, so we had to respond.

Paschall was apart of a 27-5 second-half run by Team USA to take the lead in the challenge. Team USA sealed a 151-131 victory with Charlotte’s Miles Bridges winning the Most Valuable Player award.

Paschall finished the night shooting 10-of-13 from the field, adding one 3-pointer. The Warriors rookie registered three rebounds, two assists and a steal.

Watch: Eric Paschall does Splash Brothers impression in Rising Stars Challenge

Watch Eric Paschall knock down a three-pointer during the 2020 NBA Rising Stars Challenge.

The 2020 edition of NBA All-Star weekend is a little different for the Golden State Warriors. Injuries to Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson have slowed down the Warriors’ normal schedule when it comes to All-Star weekend.

Instead of sending a bevy of players to partake in All-Star festivities, the Warriors only had one member in Chicago. Rookie Eric Paschall was invited to the NBA’s Rising Stars Challenge to compete against other rookies and second-year players from across the league.

Paschall checked into the game in the first quarter and got on the board quickly, scoring his first bucket on a drive through the lane.

The Villanova product followed up his layup with a long-distance 3-pointer, shades of his Splash Brothers teammates.

Paschall knocking down a wing 3-pointer is a bit uncharacteristic for the rookie. Although Paschall can score the basketball at a proficient rate, most of his buckets come inside the arc.

Paschall is only shooting 28.2 % from 3-point land and has only made three long-range shots in his last 11 games before the All-Star break.

However, this is the Rising Stars Challenge, and for a chance at winning Most Valuable Player, Paschall was going to have to let it fly.

Watch: Eric Paschall scores his first points in the 2020 Rising Stars Challenge

Eric Paschall is representing the Golden State Warriors strong at NBA All-Star weekend by scoring in the Rising Stars Challenge.

Over the past five seasons, NBA All-Star weekend has been a celebration for the Golden State Warriors. Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson lighting up the Three-Point Shootout, while Kevin Durant takes home Most Valuable Player during the All-Star Game.

In 2019-20 things are a bit different. With most of Golden State’s core dealing with injuries, the Warriors only have one representative at All-Star weekend in Chicago.

Although the Warriors don’t have strength in numbers in Chicago, Eric Paschall is representing the Golden State brand strong in the Rising Stars Challenge.

The rookie checked into the game off the bench in the first quarter and quickly scored a bucket driving the lane.

Paschall may not be the favorite to win the Rising Stars Challenge Most Valuable Player race. However, since being drafted in the second round of the 2019 draft, the Villanova product has been full of surprises at the NBA level.

Paschall’s been a proven scorer throughout his rookie season, averaging 13.2 points per game for the Golden State Warriors. The key to taking home MVP in an All-Star game is filling the stat sheet. For Paschall, getting on the board early is critical.