SAN FRANCISCO — While he enjoyed this year’s All-Star Game format, Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard still yearns for how the NBA All-Star Game used to be.
This year, the NBA made a radical change to the All-Star Game with a tournament-style format. Players were broken up into three different teams and played games to 40 instead of having a clock to end the game.
Lillard, a member of Shaquille O’Neal’s OGs, won the tournament and had his moments as he hit the game-winner in the team’s first game against Candace Parker’s Rising Stars in the semifinals.
But when asked what he would change about the format going forward, the Oakland High alum said he would prefer the game should go back to the way it was.
“I’m a fan of the original way: East versus West,” Lillard said.
When asked what could make the game more competitive, Lillard pointed to having more incentives for players.
“Just put more on the line,” Lillard said. “(A financial incentive) is something that I’m sure would get people going. But I’m not suggesting that.
“Whoever wins, East or West, gets home court for the Finals, kind of like baseball (used to be). It could be anything. But I think East versus West is the best way for me.”
Lillard is no stranger to playing hard in an All-Star Game. Last year, Lillard won the All-Star MVP after knocking down 11 3-pointers and totaling 39 points. In the seven All-Star games he played in, Lillard has averaged 22.3 points on 47.5% shooting from the field.
While Lillard acknowledged the need for the All-Star game to be competitive, he believes the timing of the game and the possibility of injuries makes it hard for players to play as hard as they can.
“The game is faster, it’s more up and down and the pace is higher than it’s ever been,” Lillard said. “The style of play is just wearing guys’ bodies. The break is so deep into the season. We only got less than 30 games left, so our bodies are constantly breaking down over the course of a long season.
“We’re trying to get into the playoffs healthy. I don’t think it’s a matter of guys not caring. It’s just so much pressure on you. … We want to be our best for that. You don’t want to go out there and get hurt. I think one of the things that can make it better is to move All-Star Weekend closer to the start of the season, like the actual midpoint.”
Curry enjoyed hosting
Despite having a busy schedule, Stephen Curry didn’t mind being the Bay Area’s ambassador for the weekend.
Curry stopped in at numerous community events, including opening the newly refurbished McClymonds High gymnasium.
“The hosting experience was unbelievable,” Curry said. “I’m not gonna complain about the entire exhaustion. This is an honor and a blessing to be able to celebrate and share this beautiful Bay Area that’s been a part of my life for the last 60 years. The basketball history and culture that’s here, amazing fans that are here, the impact that the game being here has had on both cities, it was awesome.”
Curry said he got emotional walking into the Oracle Arena for the All-Star practice on Saturday.
“If you have been a part of our journey, understood the highs and lows of everything we experienced, Oracle Arena is a symbol of that. It’s such a unique place, such a unique city, unique town and the idea that we had an opportunity to pay homage to the 47 years that we played in that building and the memories that we had, I got real emotional yesterday going back.”
Local All-Stars enjoy time back in Bay
Houston Rockets guard Amen Thompson and Memphis Grizzlies wing Jaylen Wells – two players with Bay Area ties – got the chance to play on the same team tonight on the Rising Stars.
Thompson, a San Leandro native, said he was happy to get a chance to play against Curry – a player he grew up idolizing.
“It’s crazy watching what Steph did out here,” Thompson said. “Being able to play against him when I went to some of his camps, that’s just crazy.”
Wells played two seasons at Sonoma State. He has been active in showing his support for his former school’s athletic department after Sonoma State announced it was going to cut all sports.
“I plan on going there tomorrow, actually, and meet with a few people, and hopefully see the coach,” Wells said. “I was mostly just sad for the athletes, just knowing that they have to change schools. They probably went to a school that they chose and love, and they get to play a sport that they love, that the only way they can keep playing their sport is to change schools.
“I wouldn’t be here without them. The first two years, I developed a lot, and I think a lot of the person I am today is from Sonoma State. They gave me such a huge role so early and I didn’t think I was ready for it.”
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