The NBA’s hardwood court hosts the most athletic and non-athletic celebrities for the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. These are a few of the most memorable events in the game’s history.
Although the 2024 NBA All-Star event will be the second most star-studded event of the weekend, it will still garner a lot of attention.
The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game should be the owner of such title.
During the NBA All-Star Weekend celebrations, retired NBA players, WNBA players, actors, musicians, and other professional athletes participate in a celebrity basketball game every year.
A lighthearted touch is added to the NBA’s very competitive hardwood courts by this game. The All-Star Celebrity Game has generated moments of wonder, humor, sympathy, and shame in its 20-year history. Certain athletic feats, like the one in which NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens dunked over his opponent, were predictable. On the other hand, unlikely athletes like the US Secretary of Education have accomplished other remarkable exploits.
Atlanta, Georgia hosted the first-ever All-Star Celebrity Game in 2003 as part of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Basketball luminaries Sue Bird, Spud Webb, and Moses Malones were among the performers who emphasized the game, along with singers Jamie Foxx and Justin Timberlake.
The NBA started selecting an MVP for the All-Star Celebrity Game in 2005. There are just two winners of the prize more than once. Comedian Kevin Hart won four straight MVP awards from 2012 to 2015, while NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens took home the trophy in 2008 and 2009.
Since fans vote to choose the All-Star Celebrity MVP, some unworthy winners have occurred over the years. The prize was won by musician Justin Bieber in 2011 even though he only made three of his eleven field goals.
Though he wasn’t even a celebrity, Arne Duncan was the most worthy MVP. Under President Barack Obama, Duncan was the US Secretary of Education from 2009 to 2015, and he taught his opponents a lesson. Duncan concluded 2014 with a total of 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. In the entire history of the game, no other celebrity had scored 20 points. and Duncan resembled Jason Williams thanks to his passes. In their 60-54 victory, Duncan’s points and assists accounted for over half of the team’s total points. Still, Duncan was no ordinary amateur. He played professional basketball in Australia for several years and captained the Harvard basketball team.
NFL Hall of Fame wide receiver Terrell Owens produced some of the best plays in the history of the game, including an off-the-backboard alley-oop. With 18 points in 2008 and 17 points in 2009, Owens—possibly the greatest NBA All-Star Celebrity Game player ever—finished the season. Michael Rapaport won MVP in 2010 after keeping Owens to 10 points.
The Grammy-winning rapper Nelly played baseball in high school, but he also demonstrated his basketball skills during the 2006 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Nelly finished with twelve rebounds and fourteen points. Even though his team lost, he was named MVP.
Kevin Hart is the only person with more All-Star Celebrity Game MVP victories than anybody else, yet his comedy, rather than his skill, took home the trophy. He brawled with former NBA players and threw shoes at referees in 2014. Regardless of his basketball production, Hart was able to earn the MVP award year after year thanks to his loud, tenacious, and dramatic effort.
Only Kevin Hart has won more MVP awards in All-Star Celebrity Games than any other player, but it was his humor, not his ability, that won the medal. In 2014, he got into fights with former NBA players and tossed shoes at referees. Hart put in a loud, persistent, and dramatic attempt every year to win the MVP title, regardless of his level of basketball production.
Rapper 50 Cent and former quarterback Peyton Manning will serve as assistant coaches for Team Shannon. Rapper Lil Wayne and WNBA player A’ja Wilson will serve as Team Stephen A’s assistant coaches. The only three athletes on Team Shannon will be WNBA player Jewell Loyd, racing driver Conor Daly, and pass rusher Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys. Four sportsmen, including former NBA star Metta Sandiford-Artest and Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, will be on Team Stephen A.
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