Established 1961 15 Sports Tuesday, March 9, 2021 Giannis wins MVP as Team LeBron dominates 2021 NBA All-Star Game Stars put on show despite lack of fans

ATLANTA: nailed a game-ending this meant to them as opposed to what some of three pointer from just inside half court as the initial reactions were from the players.” LeBron James improved to 4-0 as an NBA All- Antetokounmpo becomes just the second win- Star Game captain with a 170-150 win over Team ner of the MVP award named in honor of Bryant Durant on Sunday night. who died in a helicopter crash just outside of Los Two-time NBA MVP Angeles in January 2020. was the captured the MVP Award going a first recipient at last year’s All-Star Game in perfect 16-of-16 from the field for a game high 35 Chicago. points in Atlanta. “It’s fun. I was happy,” said “To have the trophy with the name of Kobe Antetokounmpo. “I just love being around great Bryant, it’s amazing, and I know he would be hap- players. It makes it easier to play with them.” py. Yeah, I know he’d be happy,” said Antetokounmpo’s 16-for-16 game easily Antetokounmpo. “I wanted to win the one last eclipsed the previous All-Star record of the year really bad and I had a chance to win.” ’ , who went eight-of- The 70th All-Star Game had a different feel to eight in 1968. Antetokounmpo also made all three it because there were no fans in the arena due to of his three point attempts. the global pandemic. But that didn’t stop the James improved to 4-0 in All-Star games he players from putting on a show at the State Farm has served as a team captain. He finished with four Arena including a healthy dose of dunks, alley- points in just 13 minutes of playing time. “I always oops, behind the back passes and long-range try to pick the right team, and I’ve been lucky threes like the one by Lillard, who finished with enough for four years to pick the right team,” 32 points. James said. “Guys go out and compete and play to win. I’ve been on the winning side of all four.” Plenty of dunks James’ participation in the annual showcase , who won the three-point was at one time in doubt. Last month James shooting contest earlier in the day, hit six threes slammed the NBA for holding the contest during in the first half en route to a 28 point night for ATLANTA: Giannis Antetokounmpo of Team LeBron dunks the ball against Team Durant during the the global pandemic calling it a “slap in the face.” Team LeBron. Jaylen Brown tallied 22 points and 70th NBA All Star Game as part of 2021 NBA All Star Weekend on Sunday at State Farm Arena in NBA commissioner Adam Silver responded to the dished out 16 assists. Both Curry and Atlanta, Georgia. —AFP criticism from James and others at a weekend Lillard finished with eight baskets from beyond news conference, saying the players he spoke to the arc. this week were in favor of holding the contest. Bradley Beal scored a team high 26 points and you can do. So give credit to them,” said Irving. “Elam Ending,” which provides a target score “It would have been a bigger deal not to have delivered 24 points and 12 assists for The NBA and the players union agreed to hold during an untimed fourth quarter. it,” Silver said. “I know that some players have Team Durant. In a sign that defense took the Sunday’s modified All-Star Game weekend, sal- Team LeBron dominated the first three quarters made public comments suggesting they’d rather night off no player from either team grabbed vaging a scaled-down showcase after the pan- to take a 146-125 lead into the final quarter. That not be at All-Star. Many have told me directly more than nine rebounds. “When you’ve got demic scuttled plans to hold the event earlier in set a winning target score of 170 which Team they’re thrilled to be All-Stars. It should be Steph, Dame, those guys shooting half-court Indianapolis. This is the second straight year LeBron easily achieved despite being outscored judged, when people are looking back, as to what threes, threes from the timeline, there’s not much using the new scoring format which calls for an 25-24 in the fourth by Team Durant. —AFP

just showed my talents.” Portland’s The contest, usually the highlight on Saturday night of All-Star weekend, was compressed this Simons wins year and held during halftime of the All-Star Game itself as festivities were limited to one day Warriors’ Curry amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Slam-Dunk contest Toppin led the way in the two-dunk first wins All-Star round, opening with a dunk in which he bounced LOS ANGELES: Portland guard the ball between his legs on the way to a reverse won the NBA Slam-Dunk contest Sunday, the slam. On his second effort Toppin got some help 3-point contest first Trail Blazer to win the high-flying competi- from his father, Obadiah Toppin Sr, and teammate tion that is part of the annual All-Star festivities. , leapfrogging over them with a little LOS ANGELES: sharp- On his lone final-round dunk, Simons soared to push off of Randle’s back. shooter Stephen Curry won the 3-point contest snag a high-bounced ball and jam in a one-hand- Simons opened the first round by having the Sunday, edging Utah’s Mike Conley in the final round ed dunk, leaning his face toward the basket as if ball placed in a small plastic hoop attached to the of the curtain-raiser to the NBA All-Star Game in to kiss it on the way down. He got the nod from backboard more than a foot above the rim. He Atlanta, Georgia. three of five judges over final-round foe Obi leapt to grab it with both hands and dunked it in a Curry, one of the best shooters the NBA has ever Toppin of the , who leapt from smooth move. For his second dunk, Simons seen and the league leader in made 3-pointers in just inside the foul line and passed the ball donned a Tracy McGrady jersey and delivering a the first half of this season, was the favorite heading into the competition, which sees players shoot from between his legs for a right-handed jam. spinning dunk McGrady made in the 2000 con- multiple stations around the three-point arc with “Pretty nervous coming in,” admitted Simons, test. Indiana’s Cassius Stanley was eliminated in ATLANTA: Anfernee Simons of the Portland Trail the first round, although he opened the event in Blazers dunks the ball during the AT&T two balls from a few feet further back worth extra who has just two dunks this season and 15 in his points. Curry put up a red-hot 31 points in the first career. “But a lot of people didn’t know that I can scintillating style with a between-the-legs left- Contest as part of 2021 NBA All Star Weekend on Sunday at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. —AFP round, advancing along with Conley and Boston’s jump pretty high. So I kind of calmed down and handed slam. —AFP Jayson Tatum. But it was close in the final round with Curry, the final contestant, missing his first four shots before Leonard says feel ready to go around that time then I’m getting the victory only after he knocked down his going to play.” final attempt from the right corner to total 28 points The Clippers are one of the top contenders — one more than the 27 Conley had put up. “I knew ready to play I had to knock it down,” Curry said. “It was a fun and the playoffs are scheduled to end July 22 if battle. I’m glad I got it done.” —AFP the Finals go a full seven games. The Tokyo Tokyo Olympics Opening ceremony is on July 23, and the United States play their first game ATLANTA: star Kawhi on July 25 against France. Leonard says he’s eager to make his Olympic Leonard has never represented the United debut at the rescheduled Tokyo Games in July States in an Olympics. In Tokyo, he would also even if it means flying halfway around the world be reunited with his former on tight timeline. If the Clippers make a long coach Gregg Popovich. Leonard was named a run through the NBA post-season and reach finalist for Team USA last year but the Games the Finals, it might mean Leonard and some of were postponed because of the coronavirus his teammates would have little or no break pandemic. between the end of the season and the start of His Clippers teammate , who the Olympic men’s basketball tournament. won a gold medal for the US at the 2016 Rio “Right now my plan is to go,” Leonard de Janeiro Olympics, was also picked for the ATLANTA: Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors poses with the MTN Dew 3-Point Trophy told reporters in a virtual press conference team. USA Basketball sent invitations out two ATLANTA: Kawhi Leonard of Team Durant smiles and months ago to around 60 players regarding after winning the MTN Dew 3-Point Contest during on Sunday before the NBA All-Star Game in looks on during the 70th NBA All Star Game as part of the NBA All-Star Game 2021 on Sunday at State Atlanta. “It doesn’t really matter on the their inclusion in the pool from which the team 2021 NBA All Star Weekend on Sunday at State Farm Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. —AFP success that we have. If I feel up to it and will be selected. —AFP Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. —AFP