All-Star Game 2025: The NBA will keep trying new things … until the stars actually commit to trying

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SAN FRANCISCO — You can’t manufacture soul.

We’re a long way from the All-Star Game being a referendum on LeBron James’ clutchness — remember that 2012 game in Orlando when he passed up taking a winning shot, with Kobe Bryant in his face, only to throw an errant pass to Carmelo Anthony and Bryant berating him for missing the moment?

This year, James barely bothered to show up at all, announcing during his news conference he was resting his ailing foot and ankle in preparation for the Lakers’ stretch run, withdrawing from Sunday night’s activities.

It wasn’t that long ago when we had irrational conversations about a meaningless game, but it showed there was passion from everybody and it spilled into the culture.

It might’ve been toxic, but we all agreed on wanting what was best for the present and future of the game. Now, we can’t agree on much except this weekend isn’t what it used to be, and nobody knows how to get it back.

It’s almost fitting this All-Star Game took place in San Francisco rather than Oakland. The essence, the lifeblood, the competition feels rooted in Oakland — and the fans who watched the players practice there Saturday afternoon showed every ounce of it.

Yes, there was a lot of standing around at the 2025 NBA All-Star Game. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Saturday night and Sunday night was at sprawling Chase Center, a state-of-the-art facility that has all the amenities, luxury boxes and opulence that comes with being in the heart of Silicon Valley.

And at times, you could barely feel the energy inside the building, except for few precious moments. Too nice to try, too cool to compete.

Nobody wants to be embarrassed, nobody wants to be on X screens or the Instagram streets.

“We got our pride on the line every night,” Kevin Durant said. “Somebody gets dunked on or crossed up, it’s going to be on House of Highlights. So I don’t think that will be a reason why guys won’t play.”

James has taken a little criticism for not participating in the dunk contest, and maybe that’s where the coolness started, but he’s given more to the game than just about anyone — and…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/all-star-game-2025-the-nba-will-keep-trying-new-things–until-the-stars-actually-commit-to-trying-063104891.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2025-02-17 06:31:00

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