- Several scoring records were set during this year’s NBA All-Star Game
- Many basketball fans were not happy with the defensive effort
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A record-breaking NBA All-Star Game has been labeled ‘disgraceful’ after the Eastern and Western Conference teams played little defense and combined for a whopping 397 points.
After an MVP performance from Damian Lillard, the East won 211-186, posting the highest score ever in the history of the game.
And many viewers of the match were not happy with the lack of defensive effort from the stars, as Karl-Anthony Towns led all scorers with 50 points.
Respected sports columnist Bob Ryan said on X, “Once again these NBA stars are showing no respect for the game. It’s another Dunkarama and 3-point farce. Not a single hand in anyone’s face… See you next year. What a waste of time. (Commissioner) Adam (Silver), you have to do something. It’s embarrassing for your sport.
He continued, “If you are not personally offended, but you do not like or understand this disgraceful farce now unfolding in Indy, these ‘All-Stars’ should be censored. And where are the coaches? Do any of them have any pride? They all act like athletic court jesters.”
The NBA All-Star Game was dismissed by many pundits after the record-breaking score
Giannis Antetokounmpo dunks the ball past Western Conference center Karl-Anthony Towns
Damian Lillard was named the game’s MVP after scoring 39 points and adding six assists
Meanwhile, SportsCenter host Scott Van Pelt added, “It’s simple: If you don’t care, neither do we.”
And ESPN personality Shannon Sharpe complained, “NBA all star gm has turned into shooting 3s and dunks.”
Bill Simmons of the Ringer too added“It’s funny how we spend so much time on All Star Starters/Subs/Snubs and the game always sucks**.”
Even Lakers star LeBron James, who had a paltry eight points in the game, acknowledged that players “don’t like being able to just score freely.”
“I think this is something we have to figure out,” he said after the game, acknowledging that the NBA has outscored and gotten faster even in the regular season.
‘Ultimately, our competitive nature does not like being able to score freely. The good thing about this evening is that none of the players were injured.’
In addition to the East’s record 211 points, the total points of 397 broke the 2017 record of 374.
LeBron James played just 14 minutes and scored eight points as the West was blown away
Towns led all scorers with 50 points, despite the West losing to their Eastern Conference foes
Additionally, East made 42 three-pointers to break Team LeBron’s mark of 35 in 2019.
The teams combined to score 193 points in the first half, breaking last year’s record of 191, and East tied a record for any half by scoring 104 at intermission.
“Obviously it wasn’t high intensity at all,” the Pacers’ Tyrese Haliburton said.
Other records included East setting the record for three-pointers attempted with 97, while the teams combined for 163 made field goals and 289 attempts (the previous records were 162 in 2017 and 286 in 2016).
The teams also combined for 66 made threes and 168 attempted threes (the previous highs were 62 and 167 in 2019).