"Over the past few years, the NBA has tried over and over again to get players to try in the All-Star game. Every single year they've fallen short of that goal. For whatever reason, the players just haven't cared. So this year, when Victor Wembanyama came out swinging in the first game, throwing down powerful dunks and demolishing shots on the other end, things got serious early. Immediately there was a new level of effort rarely seen in All-Star games."
"Even Kawhi Leonard, who plays as few games as he can, was jumping passing lanes and put his USA Stripes team on his back with a 31-point performance in their second game. There was multiple game-winners (including one by Scottie Barnes) and defense was played at a high level. For the first time since 2020, players cared about who won. Wembanyama was clearly frustrated when his team left Barnes open to drill the game-winning three."
The Raptors played only one game this week, prompting focus on All-Star Weekend rather than team analysis. The NBA's repeated attempts to increase competitiveness at All-Star games had previously failed, but Victor Wembanyama's aggressive start raised intensity early. Players showed more effort than in recent years, with Kawhi Leonard adding active defense and a 31-point performance for USA Stripes. Multiple game-winners, including Scottie Barnes's, and elevated defensive play made outcomes matter for the first time since 2020. The final blowout likely reflected fatigue among older Stripes facing younger Stars, leaving the cause—format or tone-setting—uncertain.
Read at Raptors Republic
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