NBA Recap: Constellations

Welcome to the next stop in the NBA Recap series! Johnathan Tillman here with a quick look at what’s been going on in the Association.

We’ve arrived at the All-Star break. This is the time where we honor this season’s best among the best, selected through various metrics, to play in a showcase of the game and their abilities. Like most things with subjective selections, debate springs from analysis of the choices. We talk about who deserves to be there, as if “deserve” has something to do with it. We rail about those who were feel were snubbed. But what I’ve seen happen when talking about snubs is the apparent unwillingness to take someone off the list for that snubbed player. It’s a similar feeling to everyone’s “Top 5” having at least 14 entrants in it, all of whom are worthy to be there. I applaud everyone who made the All-Star Game. And if you are entertained by debating who should and should not be there, make sure to be bold enough in your opinion to take a selection off to add yours.

Speaking of All-Star Weekend, I believe the Saturday night festivities are for the rising stars in the Association. I’m not one who needs the brightest and most established players to participate on both Saturday and Sunday. This is especially true for the Dunk Contest. Yes, I know Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant participated in the Dunk Contest and we recognize the gravity of their names. But that gravity is based around the legends they became. If we look at those participants, Kobe in ’98 and Mike in the late 80s, they’re very early in their career trajectories. The Dunk Contest is where players announce their arrival in the galaxy, not where superstars look for even more spotlight.

As for the young stars we may want to see take to the skies like Zion Williamson and Ja Morant, their stars have been quickly developed to the point where they each have their own signature shoe. So while I understand the desire to see them, there is very little incentive aside from wanting to for those young superstars to participate. It’s not like the NBA would make them participate to help increase the odds at higher ratings.

Here are some quick Till Takes:
Peace to WNBA superstar and champion Elena Delle Donne as she steps away from basketball. She is a two-time MVP and brought the Mystics their first title. May whatever is best for her be on the way.

I believe I gave a Till Take alteringyou to Memphis Grizzlies rookie GG Jackson as he was tearing up the G-League after being drafted. Well the team signed him to a four-year contract with three of them guaranteed. He’s currently among the youngest players in the league and will look to find his footing in the NBA.

Steph Curry has entertained the idea of playing for the Charlotte Hornets towards the end of his career if he can’t finish with Golden State. But notthat the trade deadline has passed, his brother Seth has beaten him to it. The younger City was traded to Charlotte and even wears the number 30 like his older brother and like his father Dell did when he played there.

We made it to All-Star Weekend! I’ll be back with the next recap on the other side.