2024 NBA All-Star Weekend Recap

Damian Lillard pulls up from half court during the 2024 NBA All Star game in Indianapolis.

Photo Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

By: Joshua Martin

The NBA once again brought out the game’s brightest stars in its annual celebration of basketball and its legends. For those anticipating an epic showdown between “Nap-Town” native Mike Epps and Shannon Sharpe however, were highly disappointed. But, if you came to “The Hoosier City” to enjoy some hoops, you were undoubtedly entertained despite the lack of a defensive presence in Sunday night’s main event. Lets recap the biggest moments from this year’s NBA all star weekend.  

Friday Night - Celebrity Game and Rising Stars

The NBA kicked off the weekend's festivities with the Celebrity Game which featured some of today’s biggest stars in all forms of entertainment. That list included popular streamer Kai Cenet, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, musician SiR and others. Micah Parsons was the games biggest standout, pouring in 37 points and grabbing 16 rebounds leading team Shannon Sharpe over team Stephen A. Smith. A two sport athlete in highschool, Micah dominated the event becoming the second consecutive NFL player to win the contests MVP and the fourth overall.  

The Rising Stars challenge was a bit different this year. A total of four teams were created from the available pool of players and were coached by former NBA and WNBA standouts. Pacers forward Benedict Mathurin won the tournament's MVP award giving Indiana fans something to cheer about while also giving us quite a bit of trash talk throughout the evening. Most notably his exchange with Pistons guard Jaden Ivey.  

Side note - White the NBA stars were drafted by their respective coaches, Team Detlef was comprised of all G-League players. They were massive underdogs in the first round against team Pau and Spurs phenom Victor Wembanyama but pulled off the upset with a game-winner by potential 2024 lottery pick Matas Buzelis. The G Leaguers took advantage of the moment.  

Saturday Night - All Star Saturday Night

Let me start this by saying the league’s new all-LED floor was a huge win. The possibilities are endless, I can't wait to see how far they take it although it does seem to be more of a novelty than an All Star Saturday night staple. 

The stage was set for Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton to potentially have a monumental night and he didn't dissapoint. Leading Team Pacers to victory in the Kia Skills Challenge.

Milwaukee Bucks guard Damian Lillard became the seventh player to successfully repeat as champion in the Starry 3-point Contest winning the star studded tournament with his last shot. Lucas Oil Stadium was set ablaze as hit the moneyball two point shot on the final rack to secure the victory.

G-Leaguer Mac McClung vaulted over 7 foot 1 NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal for a perfect score of 50, joining Dame as repeat champion in the AT&T Slam Dunk contest. The 25 year old was able to display his vertical athleticism and supreme body control, leaving many to wonder why he hasn’t been able land a full time role in the league.

Last but not least, the NBA decided to debut a brand new event that stole the show. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry outdueled WNBA superstar Sabrina Ionescu in a historic 3-point challenge that featured two of the game's greatest sharpshooters. 

“This couldn’t have gone any better in the sense of us two taking the chance in front of this stage, running around with all the hype, and to deliver like that, she set the bar, it was unbelievable to watch. So, this might be something - I don’t know if anybody can fill these shoes but it might be something that we need to do more often.”

— Steph Curry

With the success Steph vs. Sabrina had, it's highly probable the NBA will follow Chef Curry’s advice and look to bring back in 2025.

Sunday Night - All Star game

Dame Lillard's impressive weekend continued into Sunday night’s main event. Despite some of his well publicized struggles with his new team, Dame Dolla was on point for most of the evening draining logo threes with ease, pouring in 39 points with 11 made from deep. Capturing the coveted NBA All-star Game Kobe Bryant MVP award for the time in his career. 

The biggest takeaway from the game however was the lack of defensive intensity by the Western Conference. The game basically turned into a glorified 3-point contest but onlookers expected a better showing from a team stacked with future Hall of Famers. Karl Anthony-Towns led the way for the West with an absurd 50 points but outside of the occasional shooting spurts from the games greatest  and the anticipation of a strong Tyrese Haliburton appearance, the game itself left much to be desired.  

Interesting All star weekend stats

**This is the third time in league history the same players have won the 3-point contest and Slam Dunk contest in back to back years.

87-88: Larry Bird, Michael Jordan

02-03: Peja Stojakovic, Jason Richardson

23-24: Damian Lillard, Mac McClung 

**The 67 combined made 3-pointers set an All-Star game record, besting the previous record of 62 set in 2019. The teams combined to attempt five free throw attempts.

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Three Black QBs Make History in 2023 NFL Draft with Top Five Selections

Former Ohio State Quarterback C.J. Stroud winds up to throw a pass at practice

Credit: Oho State Dept. of Athletics

By: Joshua Martin

The 2023 NFL Draft witnessed a groundbreaking moment in the history for the culture as three black quarterbacks, Bryce Young, C.J. Stroud, and Anthony Richardson, were drafted within the first five picks. This is a significant achievement for the black community, especially given the challenges that African American quarterbacks have faced in the past.

THE moment. pic.twitter.com/MrOwKr52eT

— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) April 28, 2023

Ultimately, the Carolina Panthers selected Bryce Young with the number 1 overall pick. Young, the 2021 Heisman Trophy winner, is a talented quarterback who possesses excellent leadership skills, agility, and a strong arm. His exceptional performance in college football, coupled with his incredible work ethic, made him a prime candidate for the top pick.

C.J. Stroud, who played for Ohio State, was drafted as the second overall pick by the Houston Texans. Stroud is a skilled quarterback who is known for his accuracy and ability to read defenses. He had an outstanding college career, and his selection in the top five picks is a testament to his talent and hard work.

Lastly, Anthony Richardson, who played for the University of Florida, was drafted as the fourth overall pick by the Indianapolis Colts. Richardson is a dual-threat quarterback who is known for his speed and agility. His incredible performance in college football, coupled with his impressive physical attributes, made him an attractive prospect for the Colts. The selection of these three black quarterbacks in the top five picks is a significant achievement for the NFL and a sign of progress towards greater diversity and inclusion in the league.

More from the 2023 NFL Draft

The Texans were eager to acquire top level prospects on both sides of the ball. After making a deal with the Arizona Cardinals to move up to pick 3, Houston acquired who many feel was the top overall prospect in this year's class, edge rusher from the University of Alabama Will Anderson Jr. A monster of an athlete with quick hands and an extremely high motor.  

Rounding out the top 5 was the Seattle Seahawks selecting Devon Witherspoon, defensive back from the university of Illinois. With the attitude and athletic profile scouts gush over, Witherspoon has a chance to become a high impact player immediately. 

The middle of the draft saw teams focusing on interior lineman and defensive difference makers. The Philadelphia Eagles continue to knock this drafting thing out of the park with their selection of Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia at pick 9. A disruptive force in the interior who fell due to off the field concerns. 

All for this moment@breadmanjalen | #NFLDraft | #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/g6YVlxGDgH

— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 28, 2023

“Grinding all my life for this moment.”

— Jalen Carter

After 19 consecutive picks to begin the draft without a wide receiver, four in a row came off the board to start the 20s. 

The bottom of the draft usually spots pretty good teams who simply are looking to add depth or crazy value. With no topflight prospect still on the board at 26, The Cowboys selected Mazi Smith, DT, University of Michigan much to the delight of Dallas’s All Pro edge rusher Micah Parson. 

Micah Parsons got his wish, he texted Cowboys DC Dan Quinn earlier in the day that he wanted Mazi Smith

(Video: @BleacherReport) pic.twitter.com/LUCjQsCwMt

— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) April 28, 2023

To round out the first round, the two participants in last season’s Super Bowl added to their defense with Nolan Smith, OLB, Georgia and Felix Anudike-Uzomah, DE, Kansas State respectively at 30 and 31. 

KEY NOTES from the Draft

The running back position saw a slight resurgence with 2 players chosen within the top 12 picks. (Pick 8 - Atlanta Falcons Bijan Robinson,Texas; Pick 12 - Detroit Lions, Jahmyr Gibbs, Alabama)

The selection of Gibbs at pick 12 was probably the most surprising selection on Day 1. With Gibbs even being surprised by the pick. 

"I feel great," Gibbs said. "I didn't know I would get picked as high as I did because running backs don't get picked as high in this new age and new era of the NFL draft, but it was pretty shocking to me.” - Jahmyr Gibbs, ESPN

Alabama also sets a NFL Draft record with 15 consecutive seasons with a draft pick in the first round. This is also the third time in the last four years a Alabama QB was taken in the first round.

Congratulations to all of the young men drafted on opening day. It's an honor to be a first round pick and potentially life altering for them and their families for generations. Now that their draft fates are sealed, it's time for these guys to live up to the hype!! We’ll be watching!!

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