ATLANTA – In the midst of a pandemic, this was an NBA All-Star game like no other.
The stands were almost empty. The crowd noise was largely channeled. There were no A-list celebrities sitting next to the court. Two players had to be left out after getting a haircut.
But in the end, it had a familiar feeling.
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The LeBron team won again.
Taking down kicks from across the court, the powerful cast of LeBron James closed the first half with a dominance run to create a 170-150 prank on Team Durant at the league’s 70th season showcase on Sunday night.
Utah Jazz guard Donovan Mitchell blocks a Utah Utah midfield kick, Rudy Gobert, during the second half of the NBA All-Star Game in Atlanta, Sunday, March 7, 2021. (AP Photo / Brynn Anderson)
The most voted in each conference chose the teams in the last four years, a role that James has conquered in all seasons.
He is now 4-0, after defeating Stephen Curry’s team in 2018 and teams selected by MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee in the previous two years.
This time, James summoned his two former opponents and surprised Kevin Durant’s team.
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“I think he has a future as a GM,” said Damian Lillard, another of the teams inspired by James. “He always gets it right.”
Antetokounmpo was the MVP of the game after hitting 16 from 16 to 35 points, even making the three attempts beyond the 3-point range. It was the largest number of flawless baskets in the history of the All-Star Game.
“I’m just having fun,” said the Greek star. “Sometimes, when you’re having fun and not thinking about the outcome, you just let your instincts take over.”
Curry had 28 points, while Lillard had 32.
James spent most of the night admiring his bank drawing skills. He played less than 13 minutes, scored just four points and did not play again in the second half.
Instead, he chewed a snack on the bench.
“I know he was managing his minutes tonight,” said Curry. “We had a lot of fun, representing him as captain. It was a memorable night for sure.”
It certainly went to Curry, who won the competition 3 points before, and then hit 8 out of 16 beyond the arc of the game.
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Lillard agreed with him, also making 8 out of 16 in the 3-point range.
This All-Star Game was certainly different from the previous 69.
Determined to hold a show that will be huge for TV revenue and the league’s world brand, the NBA played the game in an almost empty arena in the center of the city, an extravaganza made for TV that symbolized the coronavirus era.
Despite the extensive security protocols in place, two players were not even able to make the report. Philadelphia stars Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons were dismissed because they cut the hair of a barber who tested positive for COVID-19.
The only good thing for Durant: he did not have to participate in this ambush, being left out of the game with a hamstring injury.
Bradley Beal led Team Durant with 26 points.
On an evening highlighting historically black colleges and universities, the LeBron team won the first three quarters and reached the final scoring goal, earning a total of $ 750,000 for its charity, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
The game went out of control at the end of the second half.
With little defense being played, Team LeBron took turns to avoid passing passes. Chris Paul delivered consecutive lobs that Lillard and Curry hit. So it was Paul who got Curry’s revenge pass.
After showing that it can handle close-up shots, Team LeBron came out in the final seconds of time.
Lillard pulled for a 3-point basket on the half-court line. Not to be outdone, Curry dropped one from practically the same place.
“It was a lot of fun,” said Lillard. “Me and Steph shot a lot of 3s. We shot 3s deep. It was 3, 3, 3, 3, 3.”
Amid the moments of joy, the atmosphere at the State Farm Arena was downright scary compared to a normal All-Star game.
Instead of a crowded house, with A-list celebrities crammed into main seats next to the court, this game was watched by a handful of handpicked guests. They had plenty of space to spread out over a 17,000-seat venue that was essentially transformed into a giant television studio, with socially distant viewers kept away from the court.
Tall video screens were installed behind the seats. Las Vegas-style lights shone around the arena. The noise of the recorded crowd echoed through the sound system. The animation was provided by the presenter Atlanta Hawks, who had no player in the game, but was represented by his cheerleaders, drum line and DJ.
To deal with fears that one of its biggest events could become a super spreader of a virus that killed more than half a million Americans, the NBA reduced its usual weekend ritual of fancy parties, crowded streets and people watching.
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This All-Star Game was a one-night event, with two skill competitions held just before the game and the Dunk Contest squeezed in the interval. The players flew on Saturday afternoon and were confined to a nearby hotel, except for their time on the court.
“That’s when everyone in basketball comes to town,” said James before the game. “We can sit and say, ‘Wow, this is the game that we built.’ It is a beautiful weekend for all walks of life, on the ground and off the ground.
“But I am sitting here in my hotel room, isolated. My family is not here. I am alone. It is just different, to say the least, compared to previous years.”