The night of all stars.
The 2022 edition of the All-Star Game once again made the show with the best in the NBA, and therefore in the world.
History will remember that Team LeBron won on the wire in front of Team Durant (163-160).
Author of 50 points (including 16 3-point baskets!), Stephen Curry was named MVP.
LeBron James' 18th
After several editions below what was done before, the biggest show of the orange ball brought stars in the eyes of spectators and viewers.
On one side, all dressed in gray, Team LeBron, was led by … LeBron James, for an 18th participation!
The Lakers player was assisted, among others, by Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and James Harden.
On the red side, Team Durant, with Kevin Durant in charge, assisted in particular by Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls) and Rudy Gobert.
Not very brilliant during the first three quarters, the game got carried away in the final rush.
At 139-138 for Team LeBron, we knew then that the first of the two formations on the floor of Cleveland which would arrive at 163 points was going to win.
Since 2020, a rule in tribute to Kobe Bryant, who died two years ago, has in fact been adopted: 24 points are added to the score obtained by the leading team on the scoreboard at the end of the 3rd quarter.
And it was LeBron James, the child of the country, who was responsible for giving the victory to his team.
At 161-160, the former Cleveland Cavaliers player found himself in a one-on-one against LaVine and turned around to complete the evening.
He was not, however, the star of the evening.
LEBROOOON WHO PLANTS THE VICTORY SHOOT!!!
🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/iWPUwTbipA
— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) February 21, 2022
Player: Stephen Curry
Untenable in the exercise of gunner that he cherishes, the leader of the Golden State Warriors was one of the great animators, managing with insolent skill, especially in the first three quarters, to plant banderilla on banderilla.
The best shooter in history enjoyed himself with 50 points in the bag, and an incredible address beyond the zone (16 shots from 3 points out of 27 attempts).
He was logically voted the best player in the game, a distinction already obtained in 2015 and 2016. "This trophy has a very special meaning, because it is always something for me to come back to Ohio, says the player born in Akron .
I am blessed.
The points record (52) is nevertheless still held by Anthony Davis since 2017.
The 2022 #KiaAllStarMVP is Stephen Curry!
🏆
He set an #NBAAllStar record with 16 threes to lift #TeamLeBron to victory.
pic.twitter.com/ekdRX1hVt8
— NBA (@NBA) February 21, 2022
The 360 signed Gobert
Only Frenchman of this All-Star, Rudy Gobert did not miss his evening, despite limited playing time.
In just 13 minutes of play, the pivot of the Blues and the Utah Jazz, for which it was the third participation, achieved an almost perfect performance with 6 points (3/3 on shots, 6 rebounds).
He also took the opportunity to perform a 360 (full turn) on a serve from Dejounte Murray, the San Antonio Spurs player.
DeJounte Murray sets up Rudy Gobert on the break 🙌pic.twitter.com/q06DxNGnZk
— Spurs Nation (@SpursNationCP) February 21, 2022
The Frenchman, who replaced the Cameroonian
Joel Embiid raved about LeBron James: “Since I've been in the league, I've gotten used to playing against him.
It really feels like he hasn't taken it down a notch.
More than that, it's even better than before.
Whatever he does, I don't think there's been a player in the history of our game who's been doing what he's doing at such a high level for so long.
It is really impressive.
»
The number: 75
Like the number of legendary NBA-designated players who paraded at halftime on the floor of the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland.
Were applauded, among others, Kareem-Abdul Jabbar, Jerry West, Magic Johnson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O'Neal... LeBron James and Michael Jordan were the most acclaimed, with Kobe Bryant, who died tragically in January 2020 and whose the portrait remained displayed on giant screens for a long time.
In a moment captured by American television, Jordan then had fun provoking Magic behind the scenes: “Where are your sneakers?
We can go one on one right away!
»
💎🏀 #NBA75 ball with the 75th Anniversary Team!
pic.twitter.com/iCZW2BZ4Au
— NBA History (@NBAHistory) February 21, 2022