NBA All-Star weekend 2023 is shortly approaching. The Utah Jazz will play host to All-Star weekend for the primary time since 1993. This yr’s festivities will run from Feb. 17-19, and All-Star Game rosters had been unveiled in early February. But essentially the most anticipated a part of the weekend is All-Star Saturday Night, which options traditional occasions such because the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest.
Slots are beginning to refill. The Slam Dunk Contest discipline is full, and can embody, amongst others, Portland Trail Blazers rookie Shaedon Sharpe, the No. 7 general decide from final yr’s draft. He’ll be heading to Salt Lake City together with teammate Damian Lillard, who was named an All-Star reserve and also will reportedly take part within the 3-Point Contest.
Ahead of the large weekend, we’ll be holding tabs on every occasion and who shall be suiting up:
Skills Challenge
The league has typically toyed with the Skills Challenge format, and it is nonetheless unclear the way it will work this yr and who will take part. Last yr’s version was a workforce format that was finally a bit convoluted and took without end, so it would not be a shock to see them regulate the competitors once more.
3-Point Contest
The 3-Point Contest has seen just a few new wrinkles lately; there at the moment are two further long-range pictures price three factors every and the time restrict has been elevated to 70 seconds. The primary premise, although, has remained unchanged since its inception, which helps add to the mystique.
Participants
Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers (reported)
Slam Dunk Contest
The Slam Dunk Contest will as soon as once more be the principle occasion on All-Star Saturday Night. There have been some classics lately, together with Zach LaVine’s win over Aaron Gordon in 2016 and Derrick Jones Jr.’s victory over Gordon in 2020. Unfortunately, there have additionally been loads of duds, together with final yr. Hopefully, this version will recapture the magic.
Participants
“Mom and pa, they have been wanting me to do it, so why not,” Sharpe stated. “It got here right down to me and my household and even associates simply telling me ‘You ought to do it.’ I do not actually do dunk contests however for the reason that NBA requested me to do it, I stated ‘Why not?'”
Murphy is understood extra for his 3-point taking pictures, however stated he is excited to indicate off his leaping capacity. “It’s a particular evening. You know it is a type of nights when everyone is watching you,” Murphy stated. “They’re anticipating a present. I really feel like, myself, I’m a showman, and I attempt to get the group excited. Get the group concerned. And I’ll be sure I present myself in my greatest mild.”
