When LeBron James hit the fadeaway jumper to win the 2022 NBA All-Star Game 163-160 for Team LeBron, you couldn't have scripted a better ending. In the closing moments in Rocket Mortgage FiledHouse, the arena James helped build, it felt almost right that the kid from Akron gave Cleveland one more win. Especially with the NBA celebrating the 75 greatest players of all time, James included, all throughout the night.
"I couldn't have dreamt it. I could not have dreamed of that moment any better than the actuality that just happened," said James after the game. "For me to be back here, like I keep stating, 35 minutes south of where I grew up here in Akron, Ohio, to hit the game-winner in the All-Star Game where me and my guys back in the back, we used to watch the All-Star Game. I remember 25 years ago we were 12, 11, wishing that we had the opportunity or the means to come up to Cleveland and see some of the greatest basketball players of all time because they inspired us so much.
"For me to be here today, for my best friends to be here, for my wife and my kids and my family, my mom. There are so many people that seen me grow from really a young toddler to who I am today. I couldn't even — I couldn't picture that moment any better.
"… To be a part of the 75 greatest basketball players to ever play, it just takes me back to my childhood once again growing up in Spring Hill and having all my inspirations taped on my wall, Allen Iverson and Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Oscar Robertson. To see those guys today and then be on stage with those guys it is — you guys don't understand. I'm trying to make you understand as much as I can, but it's just crazy."
James wasn't the only star from nearby Akron that shone brightest in Cleveland Sunday night. Golden State Warriors superstar and NBA 75 alumni Stephen Curry was sensational for Team LeBron. The Akronite took home MVP honors after making a record-setting 16 3-pointers and scoring 50 points for Team LeBron. He made 16 of his 27 attempts from beyond the arc, shattering Paul George's previous record of nine made triples in an All-Star Game. The record of 14 made 3-pointers in a regular-season game belongs to Curry's Golden State Warriors teammate, Klay Thompson. For Curry, it was just another day in the offense – especially when playing in front of Cleveland fans.
"I didn't hear the cheers," joked Curry "No, obviously, I have a lot of history in this building, won a lot of games, lost a lot of games, everywhere in between. It, obviously, means there's history here, and the fans I think appreciate it, but it comes out in the form of boos, and I enjoy it because it's not the first time, not the last time. And it takes some energy to boo, so you got to care a lot to do that.
"I tried to channel that into the performance tonight and just have fun with it. I got hot early and kept it going, and tried to put on a little bit of a show. The joy started to come out, and hopefully, everybody appreciated it."
Even though Northeastern Ohio was technically represented, Cavaliers fans had two of their own to root for out there as well. Cleveland's star tandem of Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen did not disappoint in their All-Star debut – combining for 23 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. Perhaps this won't be the last time that Allen and Garland share the floor as teammates. But, for now, the future is plenty bright for the Cavaliers as their stars looked like they more than belonged.
"I've been dreaming about this all my life," said Garland. "So just having it at the age of 22, being so early, being so young, it's super cool being here with all the greats. To even touch a basketball and just experience everything, it was really cool."
In the end, the biggest winners were the charities that both Team LeBron and Team Durant were playing for. When the final buzzer sounded, Team LeBron had raised $603,900 for the Kent State University I Promise program. Team Durant, who was playing for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, ended up raising $453,900.
Cleveland Charge big man Tacko Fall was key in guiding his team to a win over G League Ignite during the final day of NBA All-Star 2022. |
While the 2022 NBA All-Star Game was the main attraction on Sunday, it wasn't the only basketball played. Earlier in the day, the Cleveland Charge, the G League affiliate of the Cavaliers, picked up a 96-92 win over G League Ignite at the Wolstein Center in the inaugural NBA G League Next Gem Game. The game was designed to pay tribute to the NBA’s 75th anniversary season, highlighting the G League’s next generation of talent between the Ignite and the Charge.
Malik Newman led the way for the Charge with 30 points on 10-of-20 shooting from the field. Newman made six of his 13 3-point attempts and also had six rebounds and three assists. Justin James had 17 for Cleveland as well. Tacko Fall had a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double, while RJ Nembhard Jr. added 12 points and eight rebounds. Norvel Pelle added 10 points.
The Ignite led Cleveland 52-48 at halftime, but the Charge outscored them 48-40 over the final two quarters to pick up the win. This was a huge win for both the Charge organization and head coach Dan Geriot. Leading up to the game Geriot and others on the team spoke with Right Down Euclid about the significance of playing in the inaugural event that will likely become an All-Star staple. Clearly, the moment wasn't too big for the Charge as they were able to eke out a win.
When taking the final tally on things, anything that involved a Cleveland basketball player resulted in a win no matter the event. But, it translates to off the court as well with so much money being raised for two amazing foundations. Not only that, but the economic impact All-Star 2022 will have on the city of Cleveland will be felt for years to come. For just this weekend the shores of Lake Erie became the center of the basketball universe. Now, fans will have to wait for the playoffs for that to happen again.
