2016 NBA All-Star Game

2016 NBA All Star Game
1234 Total
West 40525351 196
East 43474637 173
Date February 14, 2016
Arena Air Canada Centre & Ricoh Coliseum
City Toronto, Ontario, Canada
MVP Russell Westbrook
National anthem Ne-Yo (American)
Nelly Furtado (Canadian)
Referees
Halftime show Sting
Attendance 18,298
Network TSN and Sportsnet (Canada)
TNT and TBS (United States)
Announcers Marv Albert, Reggie Miller and Chris Webber
Kevin Harlan, Ernie Johnson, Reggie Miller, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal and Kevin Hart (All-Star Saturday Night)
Matt Winer, Grant Hill and Chris Webber (Rising Stars Challenge)
NBA All-Star Game
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The 2016 NBA All-Star Game was the 65th edition and was an exhibition basketball game that was played on Sunday, February 14, 2016. The Western Conference won 196–173 over the Eastern Conference, and Russell Westbrook was named the NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player (MVP). It was held at Air Canada Centre in Toronto, home of the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors were awarded the All-Star Game in an announcement on September 30, 2013. This was the first time that the game was held outside the United States.[1] TSN and Sportsnet televised the game nationally in Canada, while TNT and TBS televised the game nationally in the United States.

All-Star Game

Coaches

Although the Golden State Warriors had the best record in the Western Conference, no coach may coach two consecutive All Star Games, therefore making Steve Kerr ineligible. San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich will coach the Western Conference as the Spurs had the second-best record in the West. The Cleveland Cavaliers had the best record in the Eastern Conference, but on January 22, the team fired head coach David Blatt and replaced him with Tyronn Lue. Lue was named the Eastern Conference head coach on January 27 even though he had only coached three games up to that point, albeit earning a 2–1 record in the process.

Tyronn Lue (left) and Gregg Popovich (right) were selected as the East and West head coach, respectively.

Rosters

The rosters for the All-Star Game are selected through a voting process. The starters are chosen by the fans. Two guards and three frontcourt players who received the highest vote are named the All-Star starters. NBA head coaches vote for the reserves for their respective conferences, none of which can be players on their own team. Each coach selects two guards, three frontcourt players and two wild cards, with each selected player ranked in order of preference within each category. If a multi-position player is to be selected, coaches are encouraged to vote for the player at the position that was "most advantageous for the All-Star team," regardless of where the player was listed on the All-Star ballot or the position he was listed in box scores.[2]

Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers topped the ballots this year with 1,891,614 votes, earning Bryant his 18th all-star nod in his final season in the NBA, and also beating out the 2015 leading vote getter Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors, who was second this year in total votes with 1,604,325. The other players named to the Western Conference starting roster include Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, named to their fifth and seventh All-Star Games respectively, and Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs, who was named to his first career All-Star Game.[3]

LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, with 1,089,206 votes, was the leading vote getter in the Eastern Conference, earning James his 12th career all-star nod. Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat was also named a starter to his 12th career all-star game, with a total of 941,466 votes. Rounding out the rest of the Eastern Conference starting lineup was Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors (2nd all-star nod), Paul George of the Indiana Pacers (3rd all-star nod), and Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks, who was named to his ninth career all-star game.[3]

Eastern Conference All-Stars
Pos Player Team No. of selections Votes
Starters[3]
G Dwyane Wade Miami Heat 12 941,466
G Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors 2 646,441
F LeBron James Cleveland Cavaliers 12 1,089,206
F Paul George Indiana Pacers 3 711,595
F Carmelo Anthony New York Knicks 9 567,348
Reserves[4]
F/C Chris BoshINJ2 Miami Heat 11
G John Wall Washington Wizards 3
F Paul Millsap Atlanta Hawks 3
G DeMar DeRozan Toronto Raptors 2
G Jimmy ButlerINJ1 Chicago Bulls 2
C Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons 1
G Isaiah Thomas Boston Celtics 1
F/C Pau GasolREP1 Chicago Bulls 6
F/C Al HorfordREP2 Atlanta Hawks 4
Head coach: Tyronn Lue (Cleveland Cavaliers)[5]

Western Conference All-Stars
Pos Player Team No. of selections Votes
Starters[3]
G Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors 3 1,604,325
G Russell Westbrook Oklahoma City Thunder 5 772,009
F Kobe Bryant Los Angeles Lakers 18 1,891,614
F Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Thunder 7 980,787
F Kawhi Leonard San Antonio Spurs 1 782,339
Reserves[4]
G Chris Paul Los Angeles Clippers 9
F/C LaMarcus Aldridge San Antonio Spurs 5
G James Harden Houston Rockets 4
F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans 3
C DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings 2
G Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors 2
F Draymond Green Golden State Warriors 1
Head coach: Gregg Popovich (San Antonio Spurs)[6]

^INJ Jimmy Butler was unable to participate due to a knee injury.[7]
^REP Pau Gasol was selected as Butler's replacement.[7]
^INJ2 Chris Bosh was unable to participate due to a calf injury.[8]
^REP2 Al Horford was selected as Bosh's replacement.[8]

Game

February 14, 2016
8:30 pm ET
Western Conference 196, Eastern Conference 173
Scoring by quarter: 40–43, 52–47, 53–46, 51–37
Pts: Russell Westbrook 31
Rebs: Russell Westbrook 8
Asts: Chris Paul 16
Pts: Paul George 41
Rebs: Andre Drummond 13
Asts: Kyle Lowry 10
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Attendance: 18,298
Referees:
  • Matt Boland
  • Zach Zarba
  • Dan Crawford

Russell Westbrook earned his second-straight MVP award in his first All-Star start as the West won 196–173 over the East.[9][3] He scored a team-high 31 points and added eight rebounds, five assists, and five steals in 22 minutes. Kobe Bryant, who planned to retire after the season, had 10 points, six rebounds, and seven assists in his final All-Star game. The 369 total points in the game broke the previous year's record by 48, and both sides exceeded the prior team record of 163.[10]

Stephen Curry added 26 points for the West, and teammates Anthony Davis scored 24 on 12-of-13 shooting and Kevin Durant tallied 23. The East's Paul George scored 41, which tied Westbrook's total from 2015 and was one short of Wilt Chamberlain's record. LeBron James totaled 13 points for a career mark of 291, while Bryant retired with 290.[10]

Westbrook became the first player in All-Star history to win consecutive MVPs outright. Bob Pettit is the other player to have won back-to-back awards, winning in 1958 and sharing it with Elgin Baylor in 1959.[9] West players offered to feed Bryant the ball in an attempt to get him a record fifth All-Star MVP, but he declined.[10][11][12]

All-Star Weekend

Celebrity Game

The 2016 NBA Celebrity All-Star Game was played on February 12th, 2016 at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario.[13][14]

The game was a matchup of Team Canada vs. Team USA, coached by Canadian rapper Drake, and 4-time Celebrity game MVP Kevin Hart, respectively. It featured 21 players, including actors Stephan James, Jason Sudeikis, Anthony Anderson, O'Shea Jackson, Jr., Joel David Moore, and Tom Cavanagh, and TV hosts Nick Cannon, Terrence Jenkins, and the Property Brothers. The game also included four NBA legends in Chauncey Billups, Muggsy Bogues, Tracy McGrady, and Rick Fox, as well as Elena Delle Donne and Tammy Sutton-Brown of the WNBA.[15][16]

Team Canada won 74-64 and Win Butler was named MVP of the game.

February 12
7:00 pm ET
Team USA 64, Team Canada 74
Scoring by quarter: 15–20, 13–17, 18–16, 18–21

Team USA
Player Background
Anthony Anderson (3) Actor
Chauncey Billups NBA legend
Muggsy Bogues (2) NBA legend
Nick Cannon (8) TV personality/Actor
Elena Delle Donne (2) WNBA superstar
O'Shea Jackson, Jr. Actor
Terrence Jenkins (4) TV personality/Actor
Marc Lasry Milwaukee Bucks owner
Joel David Moore (2) Actor
Jason Sudeikis (2) Actor/Comedian
Head Coach: Kevin Hart (Actor)
Assistant Coach: Becky Hammon (Assistant Coach, San Antonio Spurs)
Assistant Coach: Isaiah Thomas (Player, Boston Celtics)
Assistant Coach: Andre Drummond (Player, Detroit Pistons)

Team Canada
Player Background
Eugenie Bouchard Professional tennis player
Win Butler (2) Singer, Arcade Fire
Tom Cavanagh (2) Actor
Rick Fox (4) NBA TV analyst
Stephan James Actor
Tracy McGrady NBA legend
Milos Raonic Professional tennis player
Drew Scott (2) TV Host, Property Brothers
Johnathan Scott (2) TV Host, Property Brothers
Tammy Sutton-Brown Former WNBA player
Kris Wu Actor/Singer
Head Coach: Drake (Rapper)
Assistant Coach: Steve Nash (NBA legend)
Assistant Coach: José Bautista (MLB All Star)
Assistant Coach: DeMar DeRozan (Player, Toronto Raptors)

Rising Stars Challenge

Further information: Rising Stars Challenge

To celebrate the first time the NBA celebrates the All-Star game outside of the U.S.A., the game makes the World Team the home team instead of Team U.S.A.

Team USA[17]
Pos. Player Team Year
G Jordan Clarkson Los Angeles Lakers Sophomore
G Rodney Hood Utah Jazz Sophomore
G Zach LaVine Minnesota Timberwolves Sophomore
F/C Nerlens NoelINJ1 Philadelphia 76ers Sophomore
C Jahlil Okafor Philadelphia 76ers Rookie
F Jabari Parker Milwaukee Bucks Sophomore
G Elfrid Payton Orlando Magic Sophomore
G D'Angelo Russell Los Angeles Lakers Rookie
G Marcus Smart Boston Celtics Sophomore
C/F Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves Rookie
G Devin BookerREP1 Phoenix Suns Rookie
Head Coach: Larry Drew (Cleveland Cavaliers)

Team World[17]
Pos. Nationality Player Team Year
G/F  Croatia Bojan Bogdanović Brooklyn Nets Sophomore
F/C   Switzerland Clint Capela Houston Rockets Sophomore
G/F  Croatia Mario Hezonja Orlando Magic Rookie
C  Serbia Nikola Jokić Denver Nuggets Rookie
F  Montenegro Nikola MirotićINJ2 Chicago Bulls Sophomore
G  DR Congo Emmanuel Mudiay Denver Nuggets Rookie
G  Brazil Raul Neto Utah Jazz Rookie
F/C  Latvia Kristaps Porziņģis New York Knicks Rookie
F/C  Canada Dwight Powell Dallas Mavericks Sophomore
G/F  Canada Andrew Wiggins Minnesota Timberwolves Sophomore
F  Canada Trey LylesREP2 Utah Jazz Rookie
Head Coach: Ettore Messina (San Antonio Spurs)

^INJ1 Nerlens Noel was unable to participate due to injury.[18]
^REP1 Devin Booker was named as Noel's replacement.[18]
^INJ2 Nikola Mirotić was unable to participate due to injury.[19]
^REP2 Trey Lyles was named as Mirotić's replacement.[19]

February 12
9:00 pm ET
Team USA 157, Team World 154
Scoring by half: 88–79, 69–75
Pts: Zach LaVine 30
Rebs: LaVine, Towns 7
Asts: D'Angelo Russell 7
Pts: Porziņģis, Mudiay 30
Rebs: Dwight Powell 11
Asts: Emmanuel Mudiay 10
Air Canada Centre, Toronto, Ontario
Attendance: 18,298
Referees:
  • #72 J. T. Orr
  • #52 Scott Twardoski
  • #46 Ben Taylor

Team USA won 157–154 in the highest scoring game in Rising Stars Challenge history.[20] Zach LaVine was named MVP, leading all of the USA team with 30 points while also recording 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Jordan Clarkson, D'Angelo Russell, and Devin Booker all scored over 20 points, with Russell also recording 7 assists. Kristaps Porziņģis and Emmanuel Mudiay led the way for Team World with 30 points each, with Andrew Wiggins also scoring 29 points.

Skills Challenge

Further information: Skills Challenge
Contestants[21][22]
Pos. Player Team Height Weight
G Patrick BeverleyINJ Houston Rockets 6–1 185
G Jordan Clarkson Los Angeles Lakers 6–5 194
G C. J. McCollum Portland Trail Blazers 6–4 200
G Isaiah Thomas Boston Celtics 5–9 185
G Emmanuel MudiayREP Denver Nuggets 6–5 200
C/F DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings 6–11 270
F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans 6–10 253
F Draymond Green Golden State Warriors 6–7 230
C Karl-Anthony Towns Minnesota Timberwolves 7–0244

^INJ Patrick Beverley was unable to participate due to an ankle injury.[23]
^REP Emmanuel Mudiay was selected to replace Beverley.[23]

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
C. J. McCollum (Portland) O
Jordan Clarkson (L.A. Lakers) X
C. J. McCollum (Portland) X
Isaiah Thomas (Boston) O
Isaiah Thomas (Boston) O
Emmanuel Mudiay (Denver) X
Isaiah Thomas (Boston) X
Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) O
Draymond Green (Golden State) X
Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) O
Karl-Anthony Towns (Minnesota) O
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento) X
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento) O
Anthony Davis (New Orleans) X

Three-Point Contest

Further information: Three-Point Contest

Teammates Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors, known as the Splash Brothers, were the favorites to win the contest. The betting site, Bovada, listed the defending-champion Curry as the favorite to win with 10–11 odds, while Thompson was second at 9–2.[24] Contestant Devin Booker would be the youngest participant to ever compete in the Three-Point contest at 19 years old. Chris Bosh was announced as a first-time participant for the event, but he would be replaced by C. J. McCollum due to an injury before the event.

Contestants[25][26]
Pos. Player Team Height Weight First round Final round
G Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors 6–7 215 22 27
G Stephen Curry Golden State Warriors 6–3 190 21 23
G Devin Booker Phoenix Suns 6–6 206 20 (12) 16
G J. J. Redick Los Angeles Clippers 6–4 190 20 (9)
G James Harden Houston Rockets 6–5 220 20 (8)
G Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors 6–0 205 15
G C. J. McCollumREP Portland Trail Blazers 6–4 200 14
F/G Khris Middleton Milwaukee Bucks 6–8 234 13
F/C Chris BoshINJ Miami Heat 6–11 235

^INJ Chris Bosh was unable to participate due to a calf injury.[27]
^REP C. J. McCollum was selected as Bosh's replacement.[27]

(#) – Indicates number of 3-pointers made in 30-second tiebreaker

Slam Dunk Contest

Further information: Slam Dunk Contest

Zach LaVine became the first back-to-back Slam Dunk Contest winner since Nate Robinson, edging out Aaron Gordon with four consecutive perfect scores in the final round.

Contestants[28][29]
Pos. Player Team Height Weight First round Final round[lower-alpha 1]
G Zach LaVine Minnesota Timberwolves 6–5 189 99 (50+49) 200 (50+50+50+50)
F Aaron Gordon Orlando Magic 6–9 220 94 (45+49) 197 (50+50+50+47)
C Andre Drummond Detroit Pistons 6–11 279 75 (36+39)
G Will Barton Denver Nuggets 6–6 175 74 (44+30)
  1. Includes two tiebreakers

References

  1. "RAPTORS ANNOUNCE 2016 ALL-STAR GAME; NAME DRAKE AMBASSADOR". TSN.ca. Retrieved 30 September 2013.
  2. Stein, Marc (January 18, 2013). "1. Reserve Judgment: Stein's All-Star Benches". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on January 24, 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Kobe, Curry highlight 2016 list of All-Star starters". NBA.com. January 21, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "65th NBA All-Star Game". NBA.com. January 28, 2016. Retrieved January 28, 2016.
  5. "Cavaliers' Lue, staff to coach 2016 East All-Stars". NBA.com. January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  6. "Spurs’ Gregg Popovich earns spot as Western Conference head coach for 2016 NBA All-Star Game" (Press release). NBA. January 27, 2016. Archived from the original on January 27, 2016.
  7. 1 2 "Bulls' Gasol replaces injured Butler on All-Star team". NBA.com. February 9, 2016. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "Al Horford to Replace Chris Bosh in 2016 NBA All-Star Game". Bleacher Report. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Russell Westbrook wins second-straight All-Star Game MVP award". ESPN.com. February 15, 2016. Archived from the original on February 16, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 "Defense in record-setting short supply in West's rout of East". ESPN.com. Associated Press. February 15, 2016. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016.
  11. Cacciola, Scott (February 14, 2016). "Kobe Bryant, in His Final Lap, Is Happy to Surrender the Midseason Stage". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016.
  12. Bolch, Ben (February 14, 2016). "Kobe Bryant's final NBA All-Star game turns into a love fest as West rolls to historic 196-173 victory". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 15, 2016.
  13. "Toronto to host NBA All-Star 2016". NBA.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  14. "2016 NBA All-Star Tickets - NBA All-Star Events | QuintEvents". nba-events.com. Retrieved 2015-12-17.
  15. "Drake, Kevin Hart to coach teams at 2016 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game". Bleacher Report. January 14, 2016. Retrieved January 14, 2016.
  16. Official Release (February 11, 2016). "2016 All-Star Celebrity Game". NBA.com. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  17. 1 2 "Timberwolves’ Wiggins and Towns, Knicks’ Porzingis headline rosters for BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. January 27, 2016. Retrieved January 27, 2016.
  18. 1 2 "Suns' Booker replaces Noel in BBVA Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  19. 1 2 "BBVA Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. February 3, 2016.
  20. "NBA Rising Stars Stats and History". February 14, 2016. basketball-reference.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  21. "Taco Bell Skills Challenge". NBA.com. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  22. "Big man Towns takes Taco Bell Skills Challenge". February 13, 2016. NBA.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  23. 1 2 "Mudiay replaces Beverley in Taco Bell Skills Challenge". NBA.com. February 11, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  24. Mahoney, Brian (February 13, 2016). "Klay Thompson believes, even if he knows not many others do". U.S. News & World Report. Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 13, 2016.
  25. "Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, Sharpshooters take aim in Foot Locker Three-Point Contest". NBA.com. February 4, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  26. "Thompson Takes Foot Locker Three-Point Contest". February 13, 2016. NBA.com. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  27. 1 2 "Blazers' C.J. McCollum to replace Chris Bosh in the 3-point shootout". CBS Sports. February 12, 2016. Retrieved February 12, 2016.
  28. "Report: Zach LaVine to defend title in Slam Dunk Contest". FoxSports.com. February 3, 2016. Retrieved February 4, 2016.
  29. "LaVine overcomes Gordon in epic dunk contest". NBA.com. February 14, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2016.

External links

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