Last weekend, New Orleans was once again venue for yet another great NBA All-Star weekend. While Jason “White Chocolate” Williams and Baron Davis showed the audience in the NBA Celebrity Game that they still know how to ball, the NBA youngsters had quite some impressive skills to offer as well. In Friday night’s BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, Team World defeated Team USA 150-141. Just by looking at the score, it is fair to say that this weekend’s games were not at all about playing much defense – something we would spot in the All-Star Game on Sunday again. The Taco Bell Skills Challenge kicked off the State Farm All-Star Saturday Night and presented us quite a surprise: Kristaps Porzingis, the big man of the New York Knicks, took home the crown. In comparison to the showdown of Kyrie Irving vs. Eric Gordon in the 3Pt-shootout final, the Verizon Slam Dunk contest was rather weak. Rather weak? Some might say it was one of the worst in years. While Zach LaVine and Aaron Gordon rocked last year’s contest, this year’s dunks were rather uncreative and tedious. It’s a shame since the Slam Dunk Contest was the fans’ favorite.
On Sunday, the West beat the East 192-182 in the All-Star Game 2017. Not much defense played either, but the game had quite some highlights to recap. Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant giving us the alley-oop we have been waiting for. No more beef between Mr. Triple Double and the Villain – at least for this scene. The entire West bench was celebrating both players for squashing their dispute in this game. Another “highlight” was Steph Curry literally laying down to avoid getting yammed on by Giannis Antetokounmpo. Quite a controversial moment, but let’s just leave it at that… Anthony Davis, the hometown hero of the New Orleans, took the MVP award home and set a new All-Star record with 52-points made – sorry, Wilt Chamberlain, your stats are history now! What an impressive game from Davis, Russell Westbrook (41 points), Giannis Antetokounmpo (30 points) and the best of the league.
Basketball fans and sneakerheads did not only set their eyes on the performances of NBA’s elite, though, but on the kicks on court as well. The shoe game was strong as usual, but with quite some surprises this year. For the first time in forever, there were no Nike All-Star sneakers for the game. Quite a surprise given Nike’s long tradition of releasing special themed designed signature shoes. This year, the brand skipped the All-Star edition (must-sought after sneakers, btw!) and equipped the players with pairs from its “Black History Month” collection – quite suitable considering the current political sitaution in the US… just saying! Jordan Brand released their sneakers geographically themed, but unfortunately with the change of location – pulling out of North Carolina and presenting New Orleans with the NBA All-Star Weekend – the city and the colorway did not quite match. adidas sneakergame did not quite add up as well. Although some of the brand’s biggest signature players such as Portland Trail Blazers’ guard Damian Lillard and New York Knicks’ guard Derrick Rose were not voted as All-Stars, it did not stop the german brand from designing special-edition “All-Star” colorways for its signature players. Solely James Harden was able to rock his colorful “All-Star” Harden Vol.1 in the NBA All-Star Game.
Check our recap of Sunday’s sneakergame to see who got heat on their feet:
THE WEST
The mighty Western Conference posing for a portrait during the NBA All-Star Game.
Kevin Durant – KD Zoom 9 “BHM”
Klay Thompson – Anta KT2
Steph Curry – Under Armour Curry 3 “Brass Band”
Kawhi Leonard – Air Jordan XXXI “All-Star”
DeAndre Jordan – Nike Hyperdunk 2016 “BHM”
Russell Westbrook – Air Jordan XXXI “All-Star” PE
DeMarcus Cousins – Nike Zoom Rev “BHM”
Anthony Davis – Nike Audacity “BHM”
Gordon Hayward – Nike Zoom Live “BHM”
&
THE EAST
LeBron James, Isaiah Thomas and the best of the Eastern Conference teamed up to represent the East!
Kyrie Irving – Nike Kyrie 3 “BHM”
Giannis Antetokounmpo – Nike Kobe 10
LeBron James – Nike LeBron 14 “BHM”
Jimmy Butler – Air Jordan XXXI “All Star”
Isaiah Thomas – Nike Kobe A.D. PE
DeMar DeRozan – Nike Kobe A.D. “BHM”
Paul George – Nike PG1
Kyle Lowry – adidas Crazylight Boost Low “All-Star”
Carmelo Anthony – Air Jordan Melo M13 “All-Star”
Highlight of the night: John Wall – Air Jordan XVI “Trophy Room” – Oldschool!
#shoegamestrong
The All-Stars were not the only ones stealing the show with their exciting footwear. Several other players have dug up some very interesting sneakers for the NBA All-Star Weekend as well. The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, JBL Three-Point Contest and the Verizon Slam Dunk Contest – the festivities had quite some opportunities for the contestants to show their best kicks. Customized sneakers, rare shoe collabos and dope kicks could’ve been seen on court. Have a look at some of the most eccentric shoes worn throughout the weekend:
Kemba Walker – Air Jordan 12 “OVO”
Derrick Jones – Supreme X Nike Air More Uptempo
Kristaps Porzingis – Custom adidas Crazy Explosive
Nick “Swaggy P” Young – Custom adidas Crazy Explosive
Jamal Murray – adidas Crazylight Boost Low 2016
Hasan Minhaj – Air Jordan XXIX
Nick Cannon – Air Jordan VI “Golden Moments Package”
Jonathan Simmons – Custom Air Jordan X “OVO”