nba all-star

James Harden Opens Up On All-Star Snub

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James Harden has had a great season with the Philadelphia Sixers. The former league MVP has averaged a double-double for his team. Finishing the regular season averaging 21 points and 10 assists per game. However, his performance went unnoticed by fans who voted in the 2023 NBA All-Star game. Harden is a 10x all-star that hadn’t missed the event since 2011-12. So just how did Harden feel about his snub this season? The Sixers star had one word to describe the situation, disrespectful.

“I said it already, disrespectful! Most of the people that understand basketball get my value, but some just get bored with my numbers.” Harden set down to do an interview as this month’s cover athlete of SLAM Magazine. The Sixers guard believes fans just expect greatness from him. Insinuating that his numbers just look average to the casual fan. Whatever the case may be, Harden has a few words for those who don’t believe in him. “Let’s revisit when I win a championship.”

James Harden Is Ready For Championship Run

Harden may have his greatest chance at becoming an NBA champion this season. The Sixers are a strong team as the league heads into the playoffs. Harden has been the perfect teammate for Sixers big man Joel Embiid. Embiid has been all the talk for the MVP award this season. However, Harden has already been there and done that. A fact it seems that many have forgotten. But Harden is ready to show fans that he hasn’t lost a step in his quest for his first ring. His teammate Embiid is also looking for his first appearance in the NBA Finals.

James Harden has done a great job performing in the shadows this season. One has to think Harden’s name hasn’t been mentioned as much due to the success of Embiid. However, his numbers don’t lie. The Sixers have a great duo trending in the right direction for the post-season. Will the Sixers and Harden finally achieve that long-awaited championship? Or will Philly be looking for answers by failing to achieve the ultimate goal? Let us know your thoughts on a Sixers championship run in the comment section below. For the latest NBA news, keep it right here at HNHH.

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2 Chainz Acquires Ja Morant’s All-Star Jersey

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2 Chainz is a massive basketball fan who goes to as many games as possible. If you know anything about the veteran artist, then you are aware of his basketball prowess. He played ball in college and he was quite good. Although he never made it to the league, he is consistently considered one of the best rapper-hoopers of all time. Moreover, as someone who is from the home of the Atlanta Hawks, he has plenty of opportunities to watch games and relive his basketball past. Furthermore, he has also gotten his son Halo invested in the game.

Already, Halo has shown a ton of interest in the sport. So much so that the 6-year-old is already convinced that he can someday make it to the NBA. Overall, this is a ton of confidence to have. However, you have to love it, and we’re sure with that kind of drive, he will be able to get into the league. As it turns out, Halo already has a favorite player. That player just so happens to be Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies.

2 Chainz Gets The Perfect Gift

Luckily for Halo, his father was at the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday. Morant was playing in the big game which makes sense when you consider how he has been having a monstrous season. 2 Chainz got to watch Morant from some courtside seats, and in the end, this proximity paid off. In the Instagram post below, you can see 2 Chainz with a signed Morant jersey that he wore during the match. As it turns out, Halo expressly told his dad that he wanted the uniform. 2 Chainz even told Ja this, which turned out to be the right strategy. “I told Ja that Halo asked me to get his jersey after all star game and he was wit it.”

With gifts like these, 2 Chainz is going to be winning father of the year. We’re sure Halo is going to love his new jersey which was part of history. As for whether or not the All-Star Game was any good, well, that is neither here nor there. For Halo, however, it led to a gift that he will always cherish.

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LeBron James Breaks Silence On All-Star Game Hand Injury

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LeBron is one of the best players in the entire world. Even at the age of 38, he can do things that most other players cannot. Overall, he is still averaging about 30 points per game, and he is breaking records while doing so. Consequently, it should come as no surprise that James was able to make it to the All-Star game. In fact, he was voted the most by fans which allowed him to be the Western Conference captain. Subsequently, on Sunday, he got to pick his own team prior to the match.

Typically, during the All-Star game, there is no defense being played. The game itself is just a showcase of talent, and for the most part, the players could live without it. Regardless, everyone wanted to put on a show for the fans in Salt Lake City. LeBron was certainly one of them, and he even promised Michael Malone, the coach of his team, that he would try and do at least one defensive play. While James made good on his promise, he ultimately got his hand caught in the rim on the play. From there, he injured his hand and was forced to leave the game.

LeBron Speaks

As you can imagine, fans were very concerned about LeBron getting injured. The Lakers are in the fight of their lives for a playoff spot, and they cannot lose James right now. Although, it seems like there shouldn’t be too much cause for concern at the moment. This is because James spoke about the injury after the game, telling reporters “I’ll be fine. I don’t think it’s too much to worry about.” Additionally, with the All-Star break continuing, it seems like LeBron will have plenty of time to mend himself.

Overall, this is still not great news for the Lakers. After all, you never want to see your player get injured, especially in a meaningless game like the All-Star game. Hopefully, LeBron is able to get better soon and continue his phenomenal season. Stay tuned to HNHH as we will be sure to bring you the latest news and updates from around the basketball world.

The Injury

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Post Malone Brings Out 21 Savage At 2023 NBA All-Star Game

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Post Malone brought out 21 Savage during his performance of “Rockstar” at the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night. Malone also performed his Hollywood’s Bleeding song, “Wow.” Later in the night, Burna Boy, Rema, and Tems all set to perform at the All-Star Game as well during halftime.

The performance comes just weeks after fans expressed concern about Malone’s health on social media. He was seen looking noticeably thinner at a recent concert, causing worry. He later confirmed that there was no cause for concern. His father, Rich, wrote on social media that Malone is the “healthiest he’s been in years! Mentally and physically.” Sources also told TMZ that he gained the weight for a movie role and that he’s been on a strict diet and working out.

Post Malone With 21 Savage

US rapper Post Malone (L) ans British rapper 21 Savage (R) perform ahead of the NBA All-Star game between Team Giannis and Team LeBron at the Vivint arena in Salt Lake City, Utah, February 19, 2023. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

It wouldn’t have been the first health scare for Malone. Back in 2022, Malone was hospitalized with difficulty breathing ahead of a concert at the TD Garden in Boston. He later apologized for missing the show in a statement explaining his problems: “On tour, I usually wake up around 4 o’clock PM, and today I woke up to a cracking sounds on the right side of my body. I felt so good last night, but today it felt so different than it has before. I’m having a very difficult time breathing, and there’s like a stabbing pain whenever I breathe or move. We’re in the hospital now, but with this pain, I can’t do the show tonight. I’m so fucking sorry. Everyone’s tickets for tonight’s show will be valid for the reschedule that we’re planning right now. Once again, I’m so fucking sorry, I love y’all so much. I feel terrible, but I promise I’m going to make this up to you. I love you Boston, I’ll see you soon.”

Post Malone & 21 Savage’s Performance

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SOURCE SPORTS: Giannis Antentokounmpo Sprains Wrist, Status for #NBAAllStar Uncertain

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Milwaukee Bucks Lead Boycott of NBA Playoff Games in Wake Of Jacob Blake Shooting

The Milwaukee Bucks are hoping for the best for Giannis Antentokounmpo, who left the team’s Thursday 112-100 win over the Chicago Bulls with a wrist injury.

During the early minutes of the second quarter, Antentokounmpo attempted to block a shot by Coby White before he checked out the game with pain. Antentokounmpo’s X-rays came back negative but may keep him out of the NBA All-Star Weekend activities.

“We’ll just see how he feels tomorrow, see how he feels the next few days and continue to evaluate it,” Budenholzer said.

The Milwaukee Bucks finish the first half of the season on a 12-game winning streak and are within half a game of the No. 1 overall seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Burna Boy, Tems, and Rema Tapped for NBA All-Star Halftime Performance, Post Malone and Vin Diesel Among Entertainment

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The 2023 NBA All-Star Game halftime show will feature performances by three Nigerian superstars, GRAMMY® Award-winning singer, songwriter, and record producer Burna Boy, 2023 GRAMMY Award-winning singer and Oscar-nominated singer and producer Tems, and rapper and singer Rema.

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Following the show, the NBA family will commemorate LeBron James for surpassing Michael Jordan as the league’s all-time leading scorer. At Salt Lake City’s Vivint Arena, the 72nd NBA All-Star Game will take off at 8:30 p.m. ET and be broadcast on TNT.

Following the first-ever in-arena NBA All-Hero Draft (7:30 p.m. ET), international superstar Post Malone will sing a medley of songs prior to tip-off, and Vin Diesel, the star of the new Fast X film, will greet spectators.

On Sunday at the NBA All-Star Game, GRAMMY Award-nominated singer Jewel from Payson, Utah, will perform the U.S. national anthem. Juno Award-winning and platinum-selling artist Jully Black will sing the Canadian national anthem on Sunday for the NBA All-Star Game.

The Utah singing group The Bonner Family will sing the American national anthem before the 2023 Jordan Rising Stars game on Friday, February 17 at 9 p.m. ET on TNT. The group will also play “Lift Every Voice,” the Black national anthem, and the American and American national anthems at the NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T, which begins on Saturday, February 18 at 4 p.m. ET on TNT, ESPN2, and NBA TV.

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SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Announces Antentokounmpo, Lillard & More as All-Star Saturday Night Participants

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Milwaukee Bucks Lead Boycott of NBA Playoff Games in Wake Of Jacob Blake Shooting

The NBA All-Star Saturday night field is set. Participating in the challenges in Salt Lake City, Utah, features NBA stars like Giannis Antentokounmpo and Damian Lillard, Rising Stars like Anfernee Simons, Paolo Banchero, and Kenyon Martin Jr.

In the 3-point contest, Portland Trailblazers teammates Lillard and Simons will face off against 2020 champion of the Indiana Pacers Buddy Hield, his teammate Tyrese Haliburton, Tyler Herro of the Miami HEAT, Kevin Heurter of the Sacramento Kings, Lauri Markkanen of the Utah Jazz and Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics.

Antentokounmpo will team with his brothers Thanasis and Alex in the skills challenge taking on host Team Jazz composed of Jordan Clarkson, Walker Kessler, and Collin Sexton, and Team Rooks, composed of No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero of the Orlando Magic, No. 3 pick Jabari Smith Jr. of the Houston Rockets and No. 5 pick Jaden Ivey of the Detroit Pistons.

The Dunk Contest will feature Philadelphia’s Mac McClung, Houston’s Kenyon Martin Jr., New Orleans’ Trey Murphy III, and New York’s Jericho Sims.

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James Harden Reacts To All-Star Snub

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James Harden was one of the best scorers in the entire NBA just a few seasons ago. Overall, he was a tour de force with the Houston Rockets. However, since joining the Nets and then the Sixers, he has taken more of a facilitator role. Regardless, he is still an incredibly effective player who is helping the 76ers achieve their goals. As it stands, he averages 21.4 points per game and averages another 11 assists, which leads the entire NBA. Needless to say, one would assume that he would be a lock for another All-Star game.

Harden has made the All-Star game in 10-straight seasons. Although, that streak is officially coming to an end as the All-Star reserves were announced on Thursday night. In the Eastern Conference, the reserves are Joel Embiid, Jaylen Brown, Bam Adebayo, Julius Randle, DeMar DeRozan, Jrue Holiday, and Tyrese Haliburton. Fans immediately noticed that Harden wasn’t present. Subsequently, this led to a ton of discourse on Twitter, with many fans showcasing their discontent.

James Harden Is Not Happy

Additionally, Harden’s fans weren’t the only ones who were upset. Harden himself wasn’t too impressed with the snub. In the tweet above, you can see an Instagram story from Harden in which he states “The disrespect.” Of course, he wasn’t addressing this towards anyone in particular. However, it is extremely clear that he was talking about this bizarre All-Star snub. Were it not for Harden, Joel Embiid would have to carry the Sixers by himself, which is no easy task. Instead, Harden has helped turn this team into a dark horse playoff contender. Should the Celtics and Bucks slip up, the Sixers are right there to snatch the East crown.

Beyond the All-Star game, Harden and the Sixers have much bigger fish to fry. Overall, this team has not gotten past the second round in quite some time. That said, pundits are placing big expectations on this team. Harden has plenty of playoff demons to expel, and if he can lead this team to an NBA Finals, then perhaps voters will have no choice but to make him an All-Star again, in 2024. Let us know what you think of this snub, in the comments below.

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SOURCE SPORTS: NBA Announces STARRY to Takeover NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest

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NBA Annoucement

The NBA, WNBA, and NBA G League in North America will now serve STARRY, a recently released lemon-lime beverage from PepsiCo. Utilizing the NBA All-Star 3-Point Contest, which will be broadcast live on TNT at 8 p.m. ET on February 18, STARRY will capitalize on the leagues’ successful collaboration with MTN DEW by using the platform of the largest weekend in basketball to create a splash.

On the court and on the big screen, STARRY is present for the greatest plays in sports, including buzzer beaters and the best deep shots. Just in time for the NBA All-Star 2023, STARRY makes its debut in normal and zero sugar varieties. It offers the crisp, energizing flavor fans want in a lemon lime soda. STARRY will debut its brand-new ad at NBA All-Star 2023, which will feature a cast of prominent actors as well as a few exciting surprise cameos.

NBA Annoucement

“STARRY Hits Different. It has an attitude that embraces the irreverent optimism of our consumers and basketball fans alike. We believe that a dose of the unexpected creates a little more fun, and that’s why partnerships with the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League, and specifically the 3-Point Contests, are the perfect fit for STARRY,” says Michael Smith, senior director of STARRY Brand Marketing. “STARRY will bring a fresh perspective to the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League and help elevate the game’s most exciting moments.”

“We are thrilled to welcome STARRY to the NBA, WNBA and NBA G League as the leagues’ new official soft drink,” said Tara Mulcahy, head of marketing partnerships at the NBA. “The NBA family and PepsiCo have a tremendous track record of finding new and meaningful ways to engage our fans, and bringing the success we’ve built with PepsiCo’s portfolio of brands to STARRY through NBA All-Star is a fitting way to introduce the product to the public.”

“The WNBA is proud to continue its relationship with PepsiCo as STARRY becomes the latest member in our lineup of world class partners,” said Colie Edison, Chief Growth Officer at the WNBA. “PepsiCo has been a strong supporter of the WNBA, helping grow the league through its activation around WNBA All-Star events like WNBA Live and the 3-Point Contest, and we look forward to being part of this special launch.” 

STARRY arrives with the new STARRY Range, which is the most electric shot during State Farm NBA All-Star Saturday night. The STARRY 3-Point Contest is the ultimate test of range featuring the NBA’s best sharpshooters.

A player may shoot a maximum of two (2) Wilson STARRY basketballs from a distance of 29 feet and nine inches, which is six feet beyond the present 3-point line’s deepest point. The “STARRY Range” baskets are worth three points apiece, for a total of forty points per round. On Saturday, February 18, at 8 p.m. ET live on TNT, the State Farm NBA All-Star Saturday Night will feature the STARRY 3-Point Contest in Salt Lake City.

Some of the biggest stars in the game will start endorsing the STARRY brand. Players like 2x NBA All-Star Zion Williamson, 2x NBA All-Star Zach LaVine, 2x WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson, 5x NBA All-Star and 4-time NBA Champion Klay Thompson are among those who are making shots, making plays, and shaping culture.

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Travis Scott and Cactus Jack Partners with Smith Entertainment Group for NBA All-Star Weekend

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The parent company of the Utah Jazz, Smith Entertainment Group, has teamed up with Cactus Jack, the record label and clothing line of multi-platinum hip-hop artist Travis Scott, to create a series of exciting events that will enhance the viewing experience for fans converging on downtown Salt Lake City for NBA All-Star 2023. Cactus Jack will organize a number of activations over the course of the partnership’s weekend-long run, giving residents and visitors alike more chances to take in the excitement that only a big event like All-Star weekend could offer.

The Depot will host a series of private concerts featuring great acts chosen by Travis. On Friday, Feb. 17, Don Toliver and Sheck Wes will perform, and further acts that will headline the venue on Saturday, February, will be announced soon. The DJ for the Concert Series is Chase B. At 8 o’clock, both concerts are set to start. Starting on Friday, Feb. 3, tickets for the Cactus Jack Concert Series will be available here for $150 per ticket, per night. There is a cap of 1,200 visitors per evening.

Motivated by his passion for the sport, Travis has collaborated with professional snowboarder and entrepreneur Jeremy Jones to assemble an impressive lineup of competitors for this two-day snowboarding contest, including friends of Travis Jake Canter and Zeb Powell. Prior to the professionals taking to the rails for the finals on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 3-6pm, amateurs will compete on Friday, Feb. 17 from 2 to 5 pm. Travis will watch the competition on Saturday and support the winners. Grit Rail Jam, presented by the Utah Sports Commission, Utah Jazz, and Cactus Jack, is free and accessible to the public. It takes place at Olympic Legacy Plaza at The Gateway.

Travis will present exclusive product drops from the Cactus Jack collection in collaboration with Mitchell and Ness as part of The Shop Salt Lake City, a cutting-edge pop-up retail activation that will be housed at The Gateway and accessible to the general public from Thursday, Feb. 16 through Sunday, Feb. 19. New merchandise will be released every day. The public can visit the Cactus Jack pop-up store at 16 N. Rio Grande from Thursday, Feb.16 through Saturday, Feb. 18, and from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday, Feb. 19.

“It’s a dream to be able to collaborate with Smith Entertainment Group and the Utah Jazz to create iconic experiences on a canvas like Salt Lake City – especially during a time like All-Star weekend,” said Travis Scott. “I love Utah and have been coming here for years to snowboard. Salt Lake City is definitely going to be the place everyone will want to be.” 

“Travis has a one-of-a-kind vision that has made him one of the most popular artists in the world, and we are excited for him to bring his creative energy to Utah,” said Ryan Smith, owner of the Utah Jazz. “We couldn’t be more excited about partnering with him on these activations that will help even more fans and the community engage in amazing All-Star weekend celebrations.”

The Utah Jazz will co-host NBA All-Star 2023 in Salt Lake City, which will unite the best and most ardent players for a world celebration of the league. The formal festivities will run from Thursday, February 16 through Sunday, February 19.

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