Jaylen Brown. Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Celtics' Jaylen Brown criticizes All-Star Game

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated Feb 20, 2023 3:05 PM ET

Three blocks, four free throw attempts, 126 three-point tries and 359 combined points later, Team Giannis defeated Team LeBron 184-175 in the 2023 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday night.

Following the showcase, Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown called out the event, saying the All-Star Game isn't "real basketball" and referring to it as a "glorified layup line."

Here’s the video: https://t.co/5RnU4gB7nr pic.twitter.com/n1J0zEW8v2
— Rob Perez (@WorldWideWob) February 20, 2023

Brown (who led Team LeBron with 35 points) saw his Celtics co-star Jayson Tatum drop an All-Star Game-record 55 points and capture the Kobe Bryant MVP award for the contest.

The February spectacle has long been thought of as an hours-long tilt featuring countless dunks and three-point chucks, as well as absolutely zero defensive effort. If possible, it seems like the All-Star Game (and All-Star weekend itself) has even been losing more of its luster in recent years.

Following the game, Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone (who coached Team LeBron) called it the "worst basketball game ever played."

It's unfair to say that there aren't any fans who enjoy seeing the 350-plus points put on the board and endless high-flying slams and half-court shots, but for those who tune in and expect to see at least a little defense, the NBA All-Star Game continues to head in the wrong direction.

Victor Barbosa

Victor Barbosa is a passionate follower of MLB, the NBA and NFL, with a deep interest in Boston-area teams. He graduated from Springfield College -- The Birthplace of Basketball -- in 2013 with a degree in Communications-Sports Journalism. Previous bylines include FanSided, Heavy and Syracuse

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