WASHINGTON- Since Kobe Bryant's tragic death in a helicopter
crash Sunday, NBA teams and players have been honouring the icon in
their own ways. Now it's the league's turn.
The NBA on Thursday announced a new format for next month's All-Star
Game in Chicago that will increase competition, donate to charity and
acknowledge Bryant, an 18-time All-Star with the Los Angeles Lakers
who won four All-Star Game MVPs.
"When he walked into a room, the energy ignited," said Lakers vice
president Rob Pelinka, formerly Bryant's agent. "He was high voltage,
with a motor that had no limits. His mind had an infinite capacity to
learn. He was, simply put, the most inspirational athlete of our
time."
Each of the first three quarters will start with no score. Entering
the fourth quarter, there will be no game clock and a final target
score will be set, using the cumulative score of the leading team and
adding 24 points - Bryant's number for his last 10 seasons.
The first team to reach the target score wins. For example, if the
leading team has 100 points through three quarters, the first team to
124 wins. The game will end on a score that reaches or exceeds that
total.
At least 500,000 dollars will be donated to Chicago organizations
selected by All-Star team captains Giannis Antetokounmpo of Milwaukee
and LeBron James of the Lakers. Each of the first three quarters will
be worth 100,000 dollars and the game's winner garners 200,000
dollars.
ELITE EIGHT: With Thursday's selection of reserves, the 69th All-Star
Game will have a record eight international players.
Centres Rudy Gobert of Utah (France) and Nikola Jokic of Denver
(Serbia) are among the Western Conference reserves, chosen in voting
by coaches. Also selected were guards Damian Lillard of Portland,
Russell Westbrook of Houston, Chris Paul of Oklahoma City and Donovan
Mitchell of Utah and forward Brandon Ingram of New Orleans.
Philadelphia guard Ben Simmons of Australia and Indiana forward
Domantas Sabonis of Lithuania are among East reserves, which also
include Miami centre Bam Adebayo and forward Jimmy Butler, Toronto
guard Kyle Lowry, Milwaukee forward Khris Middleton and Boston
forward Jayson Tatum.
Starters include internationals Antetokounmpo of Greece, Philadelphia
centre Joel Embiid and Toronto forward Pascal Siakam of Cameroon and
Dallas forward Luka Doncic of Slovenia. Gobert, Sabonis, Siakam and
Doncic are among nine first-time All-Stars, the most since 2010.
Notable omissions included guards Bradley Beal of Washington, Zach
LaVine of Chicago and Devin Booker of Phoenix. Suns general manager
James Jones was not pleased.
"I've played with and against multiple All-Stars in this league and
Devin Booker is undoubtedly an NBA All Star," he said.