2026 NBA All-Star Weekend (Valentine’s Day Night Recap)

Anteros’s Punishment (NBA All-Star Weekend Requited Love)

The NBA All-Star media coverage began with negativity per usual, but the complaints from the fans have continued to increase annually. Lately, it has seemed that the players are now being negatively affected by this, as they have become more lukewarm and “too cool” for this weekend.

The competition edge has decreased, and players have distanced themselves from being part of the All-Star festivities to protect their brand. I disagree with this because G-League Star and three-time Dunk Contest Champion Mac McClung has gained attention from basketball fans for his great dunks and dominance in the contest.

Unfortunately, McClung decided not to compete in the contest. He chose not to defend his title. McClung even shared the dunks he would have completed in the competition he decided to participate in this year. We can say at least the fans had the chance to see them. Ultimately, though, we missed out on the chance of hearing the crowd pop from the dunks. We also failed to see the reactions of the celebrities and players courtside that contributed to Vince Carter’s iconic dunks in the 2000 contest after a 2-year layoff of the contest.

The star of the Dunk Contest not showing left us without the skills challenge returning. The Shooting Stars Competition did not give the local fans a Los Angeles Clippers team, and there were not many Clippers players representing the organization in their home arena. When love is not provided to the home crowd, then they will not reciprocate it to the league by attending the event.

Eros’s Return (NBA All-Star Weekend Appreciation)

On this lovely weekend, I want to send love to the winners of the following events:

3 Point Contest Winner – Portland Trailblazers Guard Damian Millard

Dunk Contest Winner – Miami Heat Guard Keshad Johnson

Shooting Stars Winner – Team Knicks (New York Knicks Guard Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks Forward Karl-Anthony Towns, & Former New York Knicks Star Allan Houston)

Oakland native Damian Lillard began the festivities by defeating Phoenix Suns Guard Devin Booker & Rookie of the Year candidate Charlotte Hornets Kon Knueppel in an intense competition. Lillard returned from a devastating injury that ended his 2025 season and tenure with the Milwaukee Bucks.

The New York Knicks fans took bragging rights after the In-Season Tournament win. They now have a Shooting Stars Contest win to cap their mid-season weekend celebration. This included a slight assist in having Brunson’s father as their “celebrity passer” during the competition.

The energetic dancing from Oakland native Keshad Johnson helped keep the crowd energized. He dunked over the rap legend E-40 for his very first dunk of the night. Johnson did not disappoint before taking the crown over runner-up Carter Bryant of the San Antonio Spurs, who had the dunk of the night.

End Of My NBA All-Star Weekend Rant

Everyone will have their own opinion when it comes to the NBA All-Star weekend. At the end of the day, I would rather hear opinions where we celebrate the highlights of the weekend rather than focus heavily on the lowlights. We can enjoy the “cringe” nature of these contests that are provided to the fans without dogging the players associated with them.

The NBA All-Star weekend debate will never end, regardless of how good or bad the prior year was and who is in the event itself. I will say that we should enjoy this weekend while it is still available to NBA fans. If you do not enjoy this weekend, I would suggest doing what I have done with the NFL Pro Bowl since it has become flag football: simply do not tune in.