This Sunday, Feb 18, it’s the 2024 NBA All-Star Game! So who you got?
The 2024 edition returns to the traditional Eastern vs Western Conference format, with the East missing 2 vital pieces: reigning MVP Joel Embiid and the Knicks’ Julius Randle due to injuries. They will be replaced by a veteran All-Star in Trae Young and an All-Star first-timer in Scottie Barnes. Apart from Scottie, there are 3 other firsties among the East’s All-Stars: Jalen Brunson, Tyrese Maxey and Paolo Banchero. The absence of Embiid and Randle, plus the presence of 4 newbies in the East make the West’s gunslingers overwhelming favorites to win the game.
The talent available for the West is off the charts. With guards Luka Doncic and Shae Gilgeous Alexander taking the starter slots, even the likes of Jamal Murray, D’Aaron Fox, James Harden, Klay Thompson and Russell Westbrook couldn’t even make the team. For the frontcourt, guys like Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, Rudy Gobert, Domantas Sabonis and the colorful Draymond Green just had to give way. This simply demonstrates the prevalence of talent in the Western Conference. Just imagine what it would be like to have Lebron James, Steph Curry and Kevin Durant playing together on the court. This should be nothing short of awesome.
On the other hand, the Eastern aces aren’t bad themselves. There’s Giannis Antetokounmpo providing the leadership role, with a younger, faster support crew in tow. There’s the veteran presence of Damian Lillard, who knows the Western style of play better than everyone with his long stint in Portland, plus dangerous scorers Jayson Tatum and Donovan Mitchell.
With only 5 players on the court at any given time, the talent advantage of the West is diminished. Hence, the games are almost always difficult to predict. Lebron’s team has won 5 of the last 6 renditions of the game, while his eastern counterpart as team captain, Giannis, has won only once so far.
My take: if the West allows the game to be a run-and-gun type of competition, the East will win this. These guys are younger and faster. But if the West slows down the pace to suit their deadly shooters, they will win this hands down. This should be a game similar to the inaugural In-Season Tourney Finals between Lebron James’ Lakers versus Tyrese Halliburton’s Pacers, who incidentally are both starters in this match. In that championship game, Lebron’s bigger, stronger veterans upended Tyrese’s smaller, speedier youngsters. This All-Star game will pit Team Lebron’s size and experience against Team Giannis’ speed and youth.
Apart from the All-Star exhibition, other traditional events include the Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Shootfest, the Slam Dunk Contest and, a special feature on the 3-Point Duel between the NBA’s top 3-point shooter, Steph Curry, against the WNBA 3-point sensation, Sabrina Ionescu. This should be a match that a lot of cage pundits will be looking forward to.
This Sunday, come one, come all. It’s the NBA All-Star extravaganza. Be there, or be square!
Cover photo courtesy of NBA.com. Other pics courtesy of Mainstand, Sporting News, Be In Sports and TicketMaster.
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