The 2022 NBA All Star weekend was an exceptional time of the year, as a celebration and appreciation for the world’s best basketball players took place. This particular weekend of 2022 was a memorable one with the NBA celebrating the stars of today and yesterday, as the NBA’s 75th anniversary was honored with a heart-felt tribute during the Half-Time show of the game.

Team Lebron and Team Durant got the party started with some of the biggest names in the world of basketball sharing the court in the competitive bout. Jayson Taytum, Andrew Wiggins, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Nikola Jokic, and Demar Derozan just to name a few.

 Team Lebron narrowly won the game 163-160. However, in what was supposed to be Lebron James’ homecoming in Cleveland, it was Stephen Curry who showed us why he is the face of the NBA. Curry successfully shot 16 3s on 59.2% shooting distance in a 50-point performance. James poetically ended the game with a fadeaway over a double-team in front of the Cleveland crowd, and though Curry stole the court, it was the half-time show that shined the brightest.

Image Credit: sportsnaut.com

In front of a full crowd at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, the league celebrated the 75 greatest NBA players in history. Many of the players on the list were present, the physical absentees were able to join virtually. 

Director Spike Lee began with a speech, before the 75 players were announced by position. The forwards, centers, and guards were introduced by Usher, Tiffany Haddish, and J.B Smoove.

Image Credit: cleveland.com

The ceremony had several touching moments as it successfully captured the essence of the 75 years of league legacy. The two greats of the game in the shape of Michael Jordan and Lebron James embraced with a hug and a joyous earful, Celtic greats Bull Russell and Larry Bird acknowledged the crowd with a wave, and the Cleveland fans gave the loudest cheer of the night to honour the late Kobe Bryant. 

“Even with the guys that were not here, you still felt their presence on the stage,” said James in a press conference. “It would be like going to your favourite musician’s concert, in the greatest stadium, and you’re literally on stage with them while they’re performing. The sense of ‘I can’t believe that I’m here.’ Every time they announced another name, I couldn’t even rejoice in the player that they had named. I was just tripped out.”

Published by: HOLR Magazine.