NBA All-Star Game 2022: Team LeBron runs it back, Steph Curry wins MVP plus sights and sounds fro...
Were you not entertained? The 2022 NBA All-Star Weekendwrapped up on Sunday night with the league's biggest stars facing off in Cleveland.Stephen Currywas named MVP of the 71st NBA All-Star Game after Team LeBron (led by none other than the Kid from Akron a.k.aLeBron James) defeated Team Durant(captained from afar by, you guessed it,Kevin Durant) for the second consecutive season.
During halftime, The Association honored the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team with players from every decade of the league's existence in attendance for the diamond anniversary.
The 76 players who comprised the anniversary team -- including six who were 2022 All-Stars -- have combined for 736 All-Star selections and 64 All-Star MVP winners.
This year's All-Star Weekend had multiple events with new formats -- starting with Rising Stars Challenge that took place on Friday night.
Saturday's action was headlined by three events: the 3-point contest, slam dunk contest and skills challenge.
Read More: NBA All-Star 2022: Grading the dunk, 3-point and skills contests
If you couldn't be in Cleveland for the festivities this weekend, our updates were basically the next best thing:
Cleveland this is for you
Who else? The Kid from Akron called game for Team LeBron.
Steph Currywith the shot
WhenStephen Currygets hot, get out of the way. Curry was doing Curry things, a.k.a he couldn't miss. The league's all-time 3-point leader dropped more 3s in the first half than any player has made in an NBA All-Star Game half before.
Then he went ahead and broke theNBA All-Star Game record for threes with 16. Curry was a man on a mission, as evidenced by the question he asked while being mic'd up.
The eventual MVP ended up with a 50-piece -- two points shy ofAnthony Davis' 2017 record (52) -- and added the new Kobe Bryant Trophy to his already stacked resume.
Other players around the league, including his brother,Seth Curry, had to weigh in on the Golden State star's electric performance.
We're still asking whatRobert Covington's asking.
Magic vs. Mike?
Forget the rest of the game, give us Magic Johnson vs. Michael Jordan 1-on-1. Before taking the court at halftime as members of theNBA's 75th Anniversary Team, MJ jokingly asked Magic, "Where your shoes at?"
After the halftime presentation, Jordan made sure to show love to Jerry West, Vanessa Bryant and Los Angeles Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka.
MJ also found time to greet a guy who has been compared to His Airness a time or two.
Courtside celebs galore
Oh my, celebrities.You know it's a strong turnout when Adele and Rich Paul are just the beginning of the star-studded row.
Morant and LaVine take flight
Ja Morant, everyone. TheMemphis Grizzliesstar threw down a jam that was better than anything attempted in the dunk contest, er -- was ridiculous. Morant's slam would have been shocking except for the fact he's being doing this type of absurdity all season long.
Zach LaVinesaw Morant's dunk and decided to remind everyone of a little thing called the 2016 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. If you know, you know.
Return of the King
LeBron is, in fact, home. King James made things official with his signature chalk toss before tip-off. The crowd was moderately (read: extremely) hyped to see it.
Steph basks in the boos
As the rapper Plies once said: "You ain't doin' somethin' right if you ain't got 'em hatin'" andStephen Curryhas undoubtedly got the Cleveland fans hatin'. After winning three NBA titles over the hometown Cavs, the boos upon introduction feel warranted.
Banana Boat Crew in the building
Some things just feel right, like seeingCarmelo Anthony, James,Chris Pauland Dwyane Wade together. The famed banana boat-riding friends came together as members of the NBA's 75th Anniversary Team.
Team LeBron ready to repeat?
Here's how Saturday night played out:
Dunk Contest
Obi Toppinwas declared the winner, defeatingJuan Toscano-Andersonin the final round, 92-69. He became the third New York Knick to earn a first-place finish in the contest.
Meet Obi at the top
An All-Star assist
Toscano-Anderson, clad in a custom jersey that acknowledged his heritage, performed a windmill over teammate and first-time All-StarAndrew Wigginsas his opening dunk. His 87-point first-round finish allowed him to advance to the final round.
New York state of mind
Those from the Big Apple had another reason to celebrate.Cole Anthony, a New York native, paid homage to his city by accomplishing a dunk contest first -- a one-handed jam in Timberland boots.
You can take the man out of N.Y., but you can't take the N.Y. out of the man.
Rockets rookie stays persistent
After multiple attempts,Jalen Greenpulled off an impressive jam.
3-point contest
KAT earns the crown
KAT called himself "one of the best shooting big men of all-time" after winning the contest, and his new hardware certainly supports that claim.
Ice in his veins
Trae Young's last shot attempt lifted him into the final round -- showing just why his nickname is "Ice Trae."
Skills Challenge
This recently redesigned challenge saw three teams competing against each other. Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo and his brothers, Alex andThanasis, made up one team. A trio of Cleveland Cavaliers (Darius Garland, Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley) were the second squad. The third group was composed of standout rookies Scottie Barnes, Cade Cunningham and Josh Giddey.
Cavs
This trio capitalized on their homecourt advantage and came out on top.
Rooks
The youngest squad made it to the final round, but fell just short of victory.
Antetokounmpos
The Antetokounmpo Bros. were all smiles.
Sights and sounds
Dr. J and Spike
Spike Lee, who was also courtside at the HBCU Classicearlier in the day, secured a keepsake from Julius Erving.
Making an entrance
From cozy couture to flashy fashion, these stars arrived at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in style.
