Although it had originally been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NBA finally decided to dispute his traditional All Star Game in Atlanta, with a game that will bring together the biggest stars of the best league in the world in a day that will have everything: dunk contest, triples and the special tribute to Kobe Bryant at the match.
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Despite the pandemic, the NBA show must continue
The city chosen to host the All-Star Game was Indianapolis, but as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak that plagues the entire world, the NBA put a stop to the celebrations and announced, before starting its season, that the game was suspended.
However, with the running of the games and seeing that the situation did not overflow in terms of infections in the teams, both the league and the Players Association began to negotiate to find a middle ground, which was finally found in a unique day-to-day event in Atlanta. In addition, it was decided that all the money raised will be donated to fight the coronavirus, as well as to attend predominantly African-American universities.
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When will the All Star Game be played?
The match will take place on Sunday, March 7, from 10 p.m., Argentina time. Before that, the day will also have three traditional events, which are generally played in the days leading up to the All-Star Game. First, the skills contest, in which several players compete to cross a series of obstacles to demonstrate their good ball handling. Later, the triple contest, which measures the best shooters in the league. Finally, the spectacular dunk contest, which will take place at halftime of the match
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The All Star Game, with the same format in honor of Kobe Bryant that was used in 2020
Although when it was proposed it raised many doubts, there are not a few who say that the game of the year 2020 with a special format in honor of Kobe Bryant, who died in January last year, was one of the most entertaining in recent times.
What does this format consist of? During the first three quarters, there will be no particular rules, since the tribute will take place in the last quarter. There, before starting, The score that each team has will be checked and, to the number that the team that is winning has, 24 will be added and that will be the objective to finish the game. In other words, if the team of LeBron James ends the third quarter winning with 100 points, the goal to win the match will be 124, so the first team to reach that figure will win the match. The 24, of course, is in reference to the last jersey number worn by Bryant, who in his early professional years wore number 8.
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The teams, selected by the captains
Although the players selected to participate in the event were chosen jointly by the fans, the coaches and the players themselves, the truth is that both teams will not be divided by Conferences, as it was traditionally known to be.
Following the new style that the NBA has devised in its latest editions, The two players most voted by the people will be the captains and, on the Thursday before the match, they will be able to assemble their teams choosing who will accompany them, regardless of the conferences. Thus, the remaining 22 players with the most votes will be available for both Lebron James as Kevin Durant -the captains- can choose them for their teams.
The remaining 22 players are divided between 8 headlines Y 14 substitutes. The holders, in addition to the two captains, are Luka Doncic (Dallas Mavericks), Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors), Kawhi Leonard (Los Angeles Clippers), Nikola Jokic (Denver Nuggets), Kyrie Irving (Brooklyn Nets), Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards), Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks) and Joel Embiid (Philadelphia 76ers).
On the other hand, the alternates are Damian Lillard (Portland Trail Blazers), Chris Paul (Phonenix Suns), Paul George (Los Ángeles Clippers), Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz), Rudy Gobert (Utah Jazz), Zion Williamson (New Orleans Pelicans), Anthony Davis (Los Ángeles Lakers), James Harden (Brooklyn Nets), Julius Randle (New York Knicks), Jayson Tatum (Boston Celtics), Jaylen Brown (Boston Celtics), Zach LaVine (Chicago Bulls), Ben Simmons (Philadelphia 76ers) y Nikola Vucevic (Orlando Magic).
Of all of them, both Davis and Captain Durant will miss the game due to injuries. In the case of the power forward of the Lakers, his replacement will be the guard of Phoenix Suns Devin Booker, while for Durant entered the player of Indiana Pacers Domantas Sabonis, although Durant will remain as captain and drafteará to the team.
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