The West All-Stars defeated the East All-Stars 192-182 behind a record-breaking performance by Anthony Davis, who scored 52 points, shattering Wilt Chamberlain’s record of 42.
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That’s nice and all, but maybe the better part was the reaction from the West Team’s bench.
In fact, had you told me at that time that the Warriors would have four All-Star selections in four consecutive years I probably would’ve laughed and said it would was more likely that Keith Jennings would dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon in the playoffs. It didn’t happen tonight. What were the most awesome numbers to come from the competition? But it was easy, because his teammates were yelling every time the other team scored it or we got a rebound, his teammates were yelling, ‘Don’t pass, Jamal! As the two walked toward the huddle, their smiling teammates awaited, ready to mob them. We were warming up, and he just came behind us and surprised us.
Westbrook’s and Durant’s chilly personal relationship since Durant left the Thunder in the offseason to sign a free agent contract with the Warriors was the subject of much speculation before the game, their first as teammates in nine months.
That’s why Irving said if it’s going to change, if some semblance of defense is to return, the All-Stars would have to discuss it beforehand. I love to see [former teammates] Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant have to practice with each other on the same team, so I think there are a number of underlying stories that people will look at. And when the two came out to warm up after halftime, they took practice shots from opposite sides of the 3-point line. “I barely got over the rim, but it was a nice give-and-go”.
Buddy was not the only Bayou star to take stage Friday night.
“There’s no way any of our players saw the metaphor before they threw the ice”, he joked with a reporter who asked about it. He played in 18:11 of the total 40 minutes in the game, and can only be expected to play more given his extensive experience in this game.
Thus, “guys in general trying to get ready for the second half of the season is far more important, which I totally get”.
In the East, you have staples like LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, while promising youngster Giannis Antetokounmpo cracked the starting lineup.
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Davis, 23, also had 10 rebounds. I know the city is out here, everybody is embracing it, embracing the vibe, the atmosphere. “It’s the All-Star (Weekend)”, he said.
