Photo by Carson Ming

By Niles Garrison, Features Editor

Stephen Curry and many of the perennial All-Stars were not proud of what they saw last year, Commissioner Adam Silver said. The style of play in the All-Star Game did not satisfy the players or the fans, so the NBA came together to make a new format for both the All-Star Game and the Rising Stars event. Friday night saw the NBA’s plan come to fruition.

The new format began with a pool of 21 rookies and second-year players who were drafted onto three seven-player teams. The draft took place on Feb. 4 with former Golden State Warriors stars Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond, and Chris Mullin, known as the trio RUN TMC back in their playing days, being the coaches and drafting their respective teams. Former Warrior Jeremy Lin was the fourth Rising Stars coach as the head of a team of G League Players.

“I think the format is pretty cool,” Portland Trail Blazers forward Toumani Camara said. “It gives you a chip on your shoulder, especially for the younger guys.”

The new format had the four teams face off in two semifinal matchups. The target score for both teams was 40 points in the semifinals and 25 points in the finals. In the first semifinal, Team Chris Mullin pulled out the 40-34 win against Team Tim Hardaway.

The second semifinal game saw Team Mitch Richmond play against Team G League. The game was back and forth with the biggest lead being no more than four points. Coach Lin’s G League players pulled out the win when Blazers and Rip City Remix guard Bryce McGowens knocked down a 3-pointer to take the 40-39 victory.

The final Castrol Rising Stars contest lacked suspense as Team Chris Mullin beat Team G League 25-14. San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle won the Rising Stars  MVP award. His team will play in Sunday’s All-Star event against Team Shaq’s OGs, coached by women’s basketball legend Candace Parker. The All-Star event will be played under the same semifinals and finals format as the Rising Stars.

“It means a lot to play against those guys,” Castle said. “I have been watching those guys forever so it’s definitely a blessing.”

Whether or not the new format becomes permanent, it was a unique spark for a big weekend in the Bay Area.

Copy edited by Ron Thomas, MT Advisor