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2017 NBA All-Star Game

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2017 NBA All-Star Game
1234 Total
East 53394743 182
West 48494748 192
DateFebruary 19, 2017
ArenaSmoothie King Center
CityNew Orleans
MVPAnthony Davis (West)
National anthemJon Batiste (American)
Nikki Yanofsky (Canadian)[1]
Halftime showJohn Legend
Attendance15,701
NetworkTNT, TBS (United States)
Sportsnet (Canada)
AnnouncersMarv Albert, Reggie Miller, Chris Webber, David Aldridge, and Kristen Ledlow
Kevin Harlan, Ernie Johnson, Reggie Miller, Kenny Smith, and Shaquille O'Neal (All-Star Saturday Night)
Matt Winer, Grant Hill and Chris Webber (Rising Stars Challenge)
NBA All-Star Game
< 2016 2018 >

The 2017 NBA All-Star Game was an exhibition basketball game that was played on February 19, 2017, during the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2016–17 season. It was the 66th edition of the NBA All-Star Game, and was played at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, home of the New Orleans Pelicans. The Western Conference defeated the Eastern Conference, 192–182. Anthony Davis was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player after scoring 52 points, at the time the most ever by a player in an NBA All-Star Game. The game was televised nationally by TNT and TBS in the United States.[2]

The NBA initially planned to hold the 2017 All-Star Game at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, home of the Charlotte Hornets; it would have been the second time that Charlotte hosted the All-Star Game, following the 1991 event at the now-demolished Charlotte Coliseum.[3] On August 19, 2016, the NBA chose to move the 2017 All-Star Game to New Orleans, due to controversy surrounding North Carolina's "bathroom bill", commonly known as HB2.[4][5] It was the first major sporting event in the United States to be relocated for political reasons since 1990; in that instance, the National Football League (NFL) relocated Super Bowl XXVII out of Tempe, Arizona, because the state did not recognize Martin Luther King Jr. Day.[6]

Relocation

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The Public Facilities Privacy & Security Act/HB2 became law in March 2016. It banned, among other things, North Carolinian city governments from passing ordinances that protect members of the LGBT community from discrimination. Charlotte already passed such an ordinance in February 2016. However, when HB2 went into effect, it terminated said ordinance.[7] Consequently, talks about the National Basketball Association pulling its All-Star Game from Charlotte began to rise.

Factors into this relocation threat were that out of all major professional sports leagues, the NBA reportedly has the largest LGBT fanbase. Another was that the NBA fanbase skewed much younger on average, and younger Americans are more supportive of LGBT rights.[8]

In the days after HB2 was signed, Dallas and especially Atlanta both suggested they could host the All-Star Game if the NBA removed it. Atlanta made their public suggestion to the NBA less than a week after HB2 passed, mentioning it had vetoed a similar bill and had success with hosting other major events of a similar size. In response, however, the NBA stuck with Charlotte.[9][10][11] On April 5, NBA analyst and former player Charles Barkley voiced his support to move the All-Star Game.[12] He joined other newspaper journalists, including journalists from The Guardian and The Washington Post, who advised the NBA to do the same.[13][14]

On April 10, a group of six US Senators wrote to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, telling him to move the game in response to HB2. Detroit Pistons head coach Stan Van Gundy also spoke out in favor of moving the game.[15] Two days later an Oakland city council member announced her intention for Oakland to host, again using HB2 as the primary reason for moving the game.[16]

During the Board of Governors meetings, the NBA announced they did not have plans to remove the game from Charlotte and did not vote to; however, Silver said HB2 remained a problem and, according to an official press release, was also concerned about Charlotte's capability to host because of HB2.[17][18] Silver next spoke about the issue on April 21 at the Associated Press Sports Editors commissioner meetings and on ESPN's Mike and Mike morning radio show. During both appearances he stated the NBA would rather work with the state and city governments to help change the law than issue a definitive statement. However, he also made clear the game would move if HB2 wasn't changed.[19]

On June 2, Silver met with reporters to discuss the future of the All-Star Game, stating the league was "looking at alternatives"; however, he went on to say, "...it [would not be] productive to draw a line in the sand, and we'd be moving on if I didn't think there were constructive discussions going on in North Carolina right now."[20] Six days later, Barkley again spoke out on the subject, merely repeating his thoughts that the game should be moved.[21] On July 12, the Associated Press reported that several well-known technology companies had written a letter to Silver telling him to move the game, using HB2 as their main reason for doing so. Silver gave an update later that day during a league conference, again saying no vote had been taken on whether to move the game. However, he did say, "...the calendar is not our friend." Silver also said the final decision would be made by summer's end.[22][23]

On July 21, the NBA pulled the All-Star Game from Charlotte, and New Orleans was the frontrunner to replace it.[24] New Orleans previously hosted the All-Star Game in 2008 and 2014. The same day, the NBA confirmed these rumors to be true with a press release, saying they hope to award Charlotte the game in 2019.[25] On August 19, the NBA selected New Orleans as the new location to host the All-Star Game.[5]

Ticket prices plunged ahead of the All-Star weekend. According to data compiled by resale ticket market research firm TicketIQ, the price of the cheapest ticket available on the resale market two days before the game was down 71% from the previous All-Star Game in Toronto.[26][27] TicketIQ founder and CEO Jesse Lawrence cited 'All-Star Fatigue' as a possible reason for the decline, given the city's recent hosting of the game.[26]

All-Star Game

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Coaches

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Steve Kerr (left) and Brad Stevens (right) were selected as the West and East head coach, respectively.

The Golden State Warriors had the best record in the Western Conference, therefore making Steve Kerr the Western Conference head coach.[28] Brad Stevens, coach of the Boston Celtics, was the head coach for the Eastern Conference team. While the Cleveland Cavaliers had the best record in the Eastern Conference at the time, the Cavaliers coach, Tyronn Lue, was ineligible to coach in the All-Star Game in 2017, due to the fact he was the coach in 2016. The honor instead went to the coach of the second place team, Boston.[29]

Rosters

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The rosters for the All-Star Game are selected through a voting process. The starters for the first time are chosen by not only the fans, but also by the media and current NBA players. Fans make up 50% of the vote, and NBA players and media each comprise 25% of the vote. The two guards and three frontcourt players who receive the highest cumulative vote totals are named the All-Star starters.[30] NBA head coaches vote for the reserves for their respective conferences, none of which can be players on their own team. Each coach selects two guards, three frontcourt players and two wild cards, with each selected player ranked in order of preference within each category. If a multi-position player is to be selected, coaches are encouraged to vote for the player at the position that was "most advantageous for the All-Star team", regardless of where the player was listed on the All-Star ballot or the position he was listed in box scores.

The All-Star Game starters were announced on January 19, 2017.[31] Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers and DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors were named the backcourt starters in the East, earning their fourth and third all-star appearances, respectively. LeBron James was named a starter to his 13th career all-star game, tying Dirk Nowitzki for most selections among active players. Joining James in the East frontcourt was Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls, his third consecutive selection, and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, his first all-star selection in his young career, and the first Buck to be named an all-star since Michael Redd in 2004. Giannis became the first Greek basketball player to participate in the all-star game.

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and James Harden of the Houston Rockets were named to the starting backcourt in the West, earning their fourth and fifth all-star appearances, respectively. In the frontcourt, Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors was named to his eighth career all-star game, along with Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans, their second and fourth all-star selections, respectively.[31]

The All-Star Game reserves were announced on January 26, 2017.[32] The West reserves include Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Klay Thompson and Draymond Green of the Golden State Warriors, DeMarcus Cousins of the Sacramento Kings, Marc Gasol of the Memphis Grizzlies, DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers, and Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz. Jordan and Hayward were selected as all-stars for the first time in their respective careers.

The East reserves include Kyle Lowry of the Toronto Raptors, Isaiah Thomas of the Boston Celtics, John Wall of the Washington Wizards, Paul George of the Indiana Pacers, Kevin Love of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Paul Millsap of the Atlanta Hawks, and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets, who was selected as an all-star for the first time in his career.[32] Carmelo Anthony of the New York Knicks was named as a replacement for Kevin Love due to Love suffering a knee injury.[33]

^INJ Kevin Love was unable to participate due to a knee injury.[34]
^REP Carmelo Anthony was selected as Kevin Love's replacement.[34]

Game

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February 19, 2017
8:30 pm ET
Eastern Conference 182, Western Conference 192
Scoring by quarter: 53–48, 39–49, 47–47, 43–48
Pts: Giannis Antetokounmpo 30
Rebs: Kyrie Irving 7
Asts: Kyrie Irving 14		 Pts: Anthony Davis 52
Rebs: Davis, Durant, Gasol 10
Asts: James Harden 12
Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Attendance: 15,701
Referees:

All-Star Weekend

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Celebrity Game

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Further information: NBA All-Star Weekend Celebrity Game

The 2017 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game was played on Friday, February 17, 2017, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.[35]

The game was a matchup of Team East vs. Team West, coached by ESPN SportsCenter hosts Michael Smith and Jemele Hill, respectively. The game featured 23 players, including actors Ansel Elgort, Caleb McLaughlin, & Romeo Miller, and TV host Nick Cannon. The game also includes two NBA legends, Jason Williams, and Baron Davis, as well as Lindsay Whalen and Candace Parker of the WNBA.[36]

The game ended up being the second most lopsided game in Celebrity Game history to date. The East Team's 88 points were the most ever scored by one team, and their 29-point margin of victory was the second largest ever. Even though last year's MVP and the East Team player Win Butler scored 22 points and 11 rebounds, his teammate Brandon Armstrong won the 2017 All-Star Celebrity Game MVP award with 16 points and 15 rebounds.[37][38]

February 17, 2017
7:00 pm ET
Team East 88, Team West 59
Scoring by quarter: 20–12, 19–11, 20–19, 29–17

Rising Stars Challenge

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Further information: Rising Stars Challenge

^INJ1 Embiid was unable to participate due to a knee injury.[40]
^REP1 Abrines was named as Embiid's replacement.[40]
^INJ2 Mudiay was unable to participate due to a back injury.[41]
^REP2 Hernangómez was named as Mudiay's replacement.[41]

February 17
9:00 pm ET
Team World 150, Team USA 141
Scoring by half: 77–66, 73–75
Pts: Jamal Murray (36)
Rebs: Nikola Jokić (11)
Asts: Jamal Murray (11)		 Pts: Frank Kaminsky (33)
Rebs: Karl-Anthony Towns (11)
Asts: Devin Booker (6)

Skills Challenge

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Further information: NBA All-Star Weekend Skills Challenge
Contestants
Pos. Player Team Height Weight
C Joel EmbiidINJ Philadelphia 76ers 7–0 250
F/C Anthony Davis New Orleans Pelicans 6–11 253
F/C Kristaps Porziņģis New York Knicks 7–3 240
C DeMarcus Cousins Sacramento Kings 6–11 270
C Nikola JokićREP Denver Nuggets 6–10 250
F Gordon Hayward Utah Jazz 6–8 226
G Devin Booker Phoenix Suns 6–6 206
G John Wall Washington Wizards 6–4 210
G Isaiah Thomas Boston Celtics 5–9 175

^INJ Embiid was unable to participate due to a knee injury.[40]
^REP Jokić was named as Embiid's replacement.[40]

Quarterfinals Semifinals Finals
         
John Wall (Washington) X
Gordon Hayward (Utah) O
Gordon Hayward (Utah) O
Isaiah Thomas (Boston) X
Isaiah Thomas (Boston) O
Devin Booker (Phoenix) X
Gordon Hayward (Utah) X
Kristaps Porziņģis (New York) O
DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento) X
Kristaps Porziņģis (New York) O
Kristaps Porziņģis (New York) O
Nikola Jokić (Denver) X
Anthony Davis (New Orleans) X
Nikola Jokić (Denver) O

Three-Point Contest

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Further information: Three-Point Contest
Contestants
Pos. Player Team Height Weight First round Final round
G Eric Gordon Houston Rockets 6–4 215 24 20 (21)
G Kyrie Irving Cleveland Cavaliers 6–3 193 20 20 (18)
G Kemba Walker Charlotte Hornets 6–1 184 19 17
G/F Nick Young Los Angeles Lakers 6–7 210 18 —
G Klay Thompson Golden State Warriors 6–7 215 18 —
G Wesley Matthews Dallas Mavericks 6–5 220 11 —
G CJ McCollum Portland Trail Blazers 6–3 190 10 —
G Kyle Lowry Toronto Raptors 6–0 205 9 —

Slam Dunk Contest

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Further information: Slam Dunk Contest
Contestants
Pos. Player Team Height Weight First round Final round
G Glenn Robinson III Indiana Pacers 6-6 222 91 (50+41) 94 (44+50)
F Derrick Jones Jr. Phoenix Suns 6-7 190 95 (45+50) 87 (37+50)
C DeAndre Jordan Los Angeles Clippers 6-11 265 84 (41+43) —
F Aaron Gordon Orlando Magic 6-9 220 72 (38+34) —

References

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  1. ^ "The Roots and friends are performing a basketball musical before the NBA All-Star Game". SB Nation. February 16, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2017.
  2. ^ "NBA All-Star Game Nets 7.8 Million Total Viewers Across TNT & TBS". February 20, 2017.
  3. ^ "Hornets to host NBA All-Star Weekend in 2017". NBA. June 23, 2015. Retrieved February 16, 2016.
  4. ^ "NBA All-Star Game pulled from Charlotte over HB2 law". Sports Illustrated. July 21, 2016. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  5. ^ a b "New Orleans selected to host NBA All-Star 2017". NBA. Retrieved August 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "FTW explains: Why is the NBA moving the All-Star Game?". July 21, 2016. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  7. ^ "North Carolina anti-gay law may jeopardize 2017 NBA All-Star Game". USA Today. March 25, 2016. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  8. ^ "The NBA Took the All-Star Game Away From Charlotte. Here's Why It Matters". Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  9. ^ Sefko, Eddie (April 6, 2016). "Could Dallas host 2017 All-Star Game if North Carolina loses it over controversial LGBT law?". sportsday.dallasnews.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  10. ^ Klepal, Dan (March 30, 2016). "N.C. governor takes aim at Atlanta's attempt to steal 2017 NBA All-Star game". ajc.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  11. ^ "NBA responds to Atlanta's call to move All-Star Game from Charlotte". charlotteobserver.com. March 29, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  12. ^ Boren, Cindy (April 6, 2016). "Charles Barkley implores NBA to move All-Star Game from N.C. over anti-LGBT law". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  13. ^ Felt, Hunter (March 28, 2016). "The NBA should pull the all-star game after North Carolina ruling". theguardian.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  14. ^ Bontemps, Tim (March 25, 2016). "If North Carolina doesn't change discriminatory LGBT legislation, NBA must move All-Star Game". washingtonpost.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  15. ^ "Bipartisan group of U.S. Senators urge NBA to move '17 All-Star Game". ESPN.com. April 14, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
  16. ^ "Oakland official to NBA: Bring All-Star Game to California". charlotteobserver.com. April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  17. ^ "NBA: No plans now to move All-Star Game from Charlotte, but HB2 'problematic'". newsobserver.com.
  18. ^ "NBA releases statement on All-Star 2017 in Charlotte". NBA. April 15, 2016. Retrieved April 16, 2016.
  19. ^ "NBA's Silver: LGBT law must change to keep 2017 NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte". charlotteobserver.com. April 21, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
  20. ^ "Adam Silver on Charlotte All-Star Game: "We are looking at alternatives". cbssports.com. June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
  21. ^ "Charles Barkley: NBA should move All-Star game out of Charlotte". si.com. June 8, 2016. Retrieved June 12, 2016.
  22. ^ "Citing HB2, tech leaders want NBA All-Star Game moved from Charlotte". charlotteobserver.com. July 12, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  23. ^ "Adam Silver: 'Calendar not our friend' in deciding fate of NBA All-Star Game in Charlotte". charlotteobserver.com. July 12, 2016. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  24. ^ "NBA pulls 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte, focuses on New Orleans". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  25. ^ "NBA moving 2017 All-Star Game from Charlotte due to anti-LGBT bill". Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  26. ^ a b Barrabi, Thomas (February 17, 2017). "NBA All-Star Game Ticket Prices Plunge: Location Change to Blame?". Fox Business. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  27. ^ "Ticket prices plummeting for NBA All-Star Weekend". USA Today. Retrieved February 26, 2017.
  28. ^ a b "Warriors' Steve Kerr to coach West All-Stars". NBA.com. January 23, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  29. ^ a b "Celtics' Brad Stevens to coach East All-Stars". NBA.com. February 3, 2017. Retrieved February 3, 2017.
  30. ^ "NBA makes major changes to All-Star voting format". USA Today. December 19, 2016. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  31. ^ a b c d Whitaker, Lang. "Curry, Durant and four first-time starters highlight starting lineups for NBA All-Star 2017". NBA.com. Retrieved January 19, 2017.
  32. ^ a b c d Whitaker, Lang. "Warriors, Cavaliers dominate selections for 2017 All-Star reserves". NBA.com. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  33. ^ "New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony named to replace Cleveland Cavaliers' Kevin Love in All-Star Game". NBA.com. February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 16, 2017.
  34. ^ a b "Knicks' Carmelo Anthony named to replace Cavs' Kevin Love in All-Star Game". NBA.com. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  35. ^ "NBA All-Star Celebrity Game 2017 - National Basketball Association". National Basketball Association. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  36. ^ "2017 NBA Celebrity Game Player Introductions – 2017 NBA All-Star Weekend | Feb 17, 2017". YouTube. February 17, 2017. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  37. ^ Cato, Tim (February 17, 2017). "East dominate in NBA Celeb All-Star Game as Brandon Armstrong wins MVP". SBNation.com. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  38. ^ Nathan, Alec. "Brandon Armstrong Named MVP for 2017 NBA Celebrity Game: Comments and Reaction". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 19, 2017.
  39. ^ a b "Minnesota's Towns and Philadelphia's Embiid headline roster for 2017 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge". NBA.com. January 25, 2017. Retrieved January 25, 2017.
  40. ^ a b c d "Denver's Jokic and Oklahoma City's Abrines to replace Philadelphia's Embiid in 2017 NBA All-Star Events". NBA.com. February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  41. ^ a b "Willy Hernangomez named to 2017 NBA Rising Stars Challenge roster". Bleacher Report. February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
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