NBA All-Star Weekend: Rising Stars Event Kicks Off with a Twist
The NBA’s All-Star Weekend is always a spectacle, and this year, it started with a bang on Friday night. The Rising Stars event, a showcase of first- and second-year NBA players, along with a G League squad, introduced an exciting new twist. The winner of this four-team mini-tournament would earn the chance to participate in Sunday’s All-Star Game. This change added a layer of competition and excitement to the event, making it more than just a showcase of young talent.
Throughout the weekend, we’ll be grading the competitors in various events, starting with Friday’s Rising Stars teams. Be sure to check back after Saturday’s events, which will feature the skills challenge, three-point contest, and dunk contest. Then, on Sunday, the All-Star Game will take center stage with a revamped format that promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Rising Stars: Team C Shines
Team C, selected and co-coached by Naismith Basketball Hall of Famer Chris Mullin, emerged victorious and will advance to Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game. WNBA legend Candace Parker will take over as honorary GM of what will become Team Candace. While this team may be outclassed in terms of experience and talent on Sunday, the players developed strong chemistry during their two wins on Friday. If they play hard, they could present a challenge to their opponents, Shaq’s OGs, featuring MVPs Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant, and LeBron James, especially if the OGs treat Sunday like an exhibition rather than a competition.
In her role as GM, Parker chose Amen Thompson to join Friday’s winners for Sunday’s game. The second-year Houston Rockets forward was the right pick to complement this group and immediately becomes Team Candace’s strongest player.
Player Grades: Team C
- Stephon Castle, G, San Antonio Spurs
Final: 12 pointsOriginal source article rewritten by our AI can be read here.
Originally Written by: Kevin Pelton
