by Mitchelle Uzorka
All-Star weekend has come and gone, and the festivities were about as much fun as they’ve been in years.
The Sunday showcase at Vivint Arena, home of the Utah Jazz, was captained by LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo, who drafted their teams before the game in a playground-style format. Team Giannis picked up its first win in the All-Star Game, while also handing Team LeBron its first loss. Jayson Tatum set the All-Star Game scoring record and won the Kobe Bryant MVP trophy.
Team LeBron included LeBron James, F, Los Angeles Lakers (captain), Joel Embiid, F/C, Philadelphia 76ers, Kyrie Irving, G, Dallas Mavericks, Luka Doncic, F/G, Dallas Mavericks, Nikola Jokic, C, Denver Nuggets, Anthony Edwards, G, Minnesota Timberwolves, Jaylen Brown, G, Boston Celtics, Paul George, F, Los Angeles Clippers,Tyrese Haliburton, G, Indiana Pacers, Julius Randle, F, New York Knicks, De’Aaron Fox, G, Sacramento Kings, Jaren Jackson Jr., F, Memphis Grizzlies.
While Team Giannis, included; Giannis Antetokounmpo, F, Milwaukee Bucks (captain), Jayson Tatum, G/F, Boston Celtics, Ja Morant, G, Memphis Grizzlies, Donovan Mitchell, G, Cleveland Cavaliers, Lauri Markkanen, F/C, Utah Jazz, Damian Lillard, G, Portland Trail Blazers, Jrue Holiday, G, Milwaukee Bucks, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, G, Oklahoma City Thunder, DeMar DeRozan, F, Chicago Bulls, Pascal Siakam, F, Toronto Raptors, Bam Adebayo, C, Miami Heat, Domantas Sabonis, C, Sacramento Kings
Team Giannis who won the 2023 NBAAllStars Game, earned a total of $550,000 for Raise the Future, while #TeamLeBron earns $200,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.
The All-Star game is an exhibition, and few players displayed as much talent as Tatum. #KiaAllStarMVP who set an All-Star Game record with 55 POINTS!
Also The NBA Celebrated Africa’s Global Contributions With An All-Star Halftime Performance Featuring Burna Boy, Rema, And Tems.
The show opened with Burna Boy, who played his hits “Anybody” and “It’s Plenty,” followed by a truly exuberant performance by Rema, who got the crowd hyped with energetic renditions of “Calm Down” and “Holiday.” Tems came out last to close things out with a huge set of her own featuring “Crazy Tings,” “Free Mind,” her verse from Wizkid’s “Essence,” and her verse from Future’s “Wait For U.”
