The All-Star Celebrity Game during NBA All-Star Weekend is often one of the more entertaining events of the three-day league showcase, simply due to the novelty of watching stars chucking up shots.
With ESPN televising the All-Star Celebrity Game on Friday, Feb. 14, it is not a surprise that the network tabbed two of its biggest NBA talking heads to play a role in the festivities.
The official Twitter account of the 2020 NBA All-Star Game announced Friday that Stephen A. Smith and Michael Wilbon will serve as head coaches of the two celebrity squads.
Tickets are now on sale for the #NBAAllStar Celebrity Game presented by Ruffles and #NBAAllStar Practice & Media Day presented by AT&T.
— 2020 NBA All-Star (@NBAAllStar) January 10, 2020
The Celebrity Game will feature Chicago native @RealMikeWilbon and First Take’s @stephenasmith as coaches.https://t.co/YzOuxnITRF pic.twitter.com/LCBffN0I6T
Wilbon is a proud Chicago native, so the opportunity to participate in some capacity when NBA All-Star Weekend is held in his hometown at United Center presumably is quite a thrill for him. Smith, meanwhile, most assuredly will bring his patented enthusiasm and … loudness … to the bench during the game.
Shortly after the announcement, the two new coaching rivals unsurprisingly took to social media to talk some serious smack.
Guess who is coaching in the All-Star Celebrity Game!!!! pic.twitter.com/fatFdy0cNK
— Stephen A Smith (@stephenasmith) January 10, 2020
Chicago. All-Star Celebrity Game. May the best coach win, @stephenasmith pic.twitter.com/44qILv9tZc
— Michael Wilbon (@RealMikeWilbon) January 10, 2020
The NBA All-Star Celebrity Game marks the official tipoff of NBA All-Star Weekend, with the Rising Stars Challenge being held later Friday evening. NBA All-Star Saturday Night is obviously held the following day and the festivities conclude with the the actual All-Star Game on Sunday night.
While it’s unclear at this time which celebrities will take part in Friday’s exhibition, expect an entertaining blend of people who can actually ball, some chuckers, a few A-listers, some B-listers and a couple of oddballs thrown in for nice measure.
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