Dave McMenamin
SAN FRANCISCO — San Antonio Spurs rookie Stephon Castle said the rising star MVP trophy that he rolled up on Friday night is not the hardware he plans to win at the NBA All-Star Weekend.
Castle led Team C, who coached Team G League, which was Jeremy Lynn, to win a 25-14 final. Castle scored 11 points and collected one of three assists with a 3-pointer winning game for Utah Jazz rookie Key Ante George.
Team C won the first group game. Castle hit a jump shot that made the Team T decision coached by 40-34 Tim Hardaway Sr. (In the first two games, the target score reached was 40. In the final, the target score was 25.)
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“To be part of the bucket you won in both games, that means a lot,” Castle said.
The Rising Stars game, consisting of three teams with seven first and second-year players and a fourth team with seven G-Leagers, was the beginning of Castle’s Janpac itinerary. The 6-foot-6 guard is also competing in the dunk contest on Saturday night.
Asked what kind of dunk he was planning for the showcase, Castle told ESPN:
The Rising Stars won Castle’s Team A-Bath in Sunday’s All-Star Game. There, they will face Shaq’s OGS featuring future Hall of Famers LeBron James, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant.
“As a basketball player, it’s really everything I can ask for and I always see their people growing, so I’ve shared my first All-Star weekend with them and courtrooms with them. It’s a blessing to be able to share,” Castle said.
Castle will join Blake Griffin as his newest player and take part in all three nights of All-Star Weekend events. Griffin did it in 2011 as a rookie with the LA Clippers.
The All-Star Game reflects Friday’s format. Four teams of eight players will compete in the mini tournament, with all three games being played with a target score of 40. Regarding the fierce defence or competitive enthusiasm, the league changed things with hopes of regaining interest in the February festival.
“We don’t lose anything,” Castle said in a young group against the Shaquille O’Neal coached team, including James Harden, Damian Lillard, Jason Tatum, Kyrie Irving and Jalen Brown. When asked about the chance, he told ESPN. On that roster. “We play with confidence and play freely. So we don’t count us.”
Team C’s coaching duties will be handed over from Marine to Candice Parker on Sunday. Parker, who served as the team’s general manager, chose Team M Armentompson, coached by Mitch Richmond, to fill the team’s eighth final roster.
Team G League has led to Team M’s confusion in the second group play game, reaching the Rising Star final. RIP City Remix’s Bryce McGowen hit a 3-pointer and clinched victory 40-39. McGowen’s closing shot was only Ausar Thompson of the Detroit Pistons’ Ausar Thompson (Amen’s Twin Brother) to 0-4 from the foul line where the team was choked with 37 points.
Castle and Team C players will have the opportunity to win $35,000 in their Friday victory and earn the bragging rights against Sunday for their veteran NBA teammates.
Los Angeles Lakers rookie Dalton Knecht, Phoenix Suns rookie Ryan Dunn and second-year Golden State Warriors big man Traise Jackson Davis are alongside James, Durant and Curry.
“I’m playing against Bron, so I can play against one of my teammates,” Knecht said. “It’s going to be so much fun going out and trying to make a statement.”
Asked if a garbage story would be exchanged between 40-year-old James and 23-year-old Knecht, Lakers rookie said, “I don’t usually start that. I don’t usually start talking. I don’t usually start talking. I usually try it. To finish it.”
