• Fri. Mar 29th, 2024

February 18th 2017

NBA All-Star Break 2017

 

This year the annual festivities will be held in New Orleans, Last season I focused on the past, one of my favorite memories from all-star weekend. This year I want to enjoy the present, the now, and what I’m looking forward to this weekend.

Former all time greats roam the weekend festivities in an annual event that can’t be matched by any of the other major sporting organizations all-star celebrations.

Who’s here? LeBron, Curry, Durant, Westbrook, Anthony Davis and many of the league stars are here to entertain and showcase just how much the league has grown. The skill-set of the leagues stars is at an all time high.

 

Anthony Davis is the unofficial host this weekend. It’s his team and his city, will he be the MVP?

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Anthony Davis. Photo: Sherman Gomez PureSportsNY

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward and DeAndre Jordon are the first timers this year. Of the four Antetokounmpo is the most uniquely talented. At 6-11 his talents are scary and at 22 years old his talents still have room for improvement. Kemba is often overlooked when elite point guards are discussed hopefully his all-star selection stops that trend. His improvement every season cannot be overlooked.

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Giannis Antetokounmpo. Photo Credit: Maddie Meyer Getty Images

Jordan the high flying big man from the Clippers is not only participating in the all-star game but he is also set to showcase some of his leaping abilities at the dunk contest. Gordon Hayward is another player that seems to be under the radar but his yearly improvement and his team’s place in the Western Conference standing proves he belongs here.

 

I hope to see Karl-Anthony Towns in his first all-star game next year.

The 3-point contest and the dunk contest highlight Saturday’s events I got my (monopoly) money on Klay and Aaron Gordon. Get well Zach.

 

If you are a sneaker fan this may be a fun weekend for you as well. It is customary for the sneaker brands to release special all-star editions of many of their players’ signature sneakers. Jordan! Jordan Jordan!

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Air Jordan 1 (Gotta Shine) Release date 2/19/17 $175 Image: Nike.com

There are four Golden State Warrior players on the Western Conference roster. There is that one guy who talks a lot, the other guy that doesn’t talk much, the new addition and the guy that shoots from the Golden State Bridge. You can figure out who is who.

February 15, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30), forward Kevin Durant (35), forward Draymond Green (23), and guard Klay Thompson (11) pose with their All-Star jerseys before the game against the Sacramento Kings at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors : Photo Credit Kyle Terada USA Today Sports

There is an interesting story line as well, I grow tired of it but it can’t be avoided, how will Westbrook and Durant co-exists this weekend? I will leave it as that and just watch how it plays out.

 

Overall, like every other all-star weekend I look forward to seeing the best players on the court at the same time. I look forward to seeing the fans just enjoying all the events and we look forward to seeing the players interact with each other and the fans.

 

Thank You for reading

Sherman Gomez is a Staff Writer for PureSportsNY

Follow him on Twitter: sherman@shermangmz1

Instagram: dash_nathan

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By Sherman Gomez

"Basketball is my favorite sport, I like the way they dribble up and down the court." "I wish I was a little bit taller, I wish I was a baller." "Last week messed around and got a triple double." I write about basketball sometimes and then I try to go play....

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