If you tuned into the Rising Stars Challenge for any semblance of defense, look away. There is nothing for you in this game. The game was the type of track-meet you'd expect from a bunch of first and second-year players, with a few guys trying to add content to their highlight reels.
The game featured dunks for days, with John Collins stealing the show. He appears to priming up for Saturday's dunk contest, so hopefully, he still has something left in the tank for Saturday and hasn't exhausted his creativity.
He made it look downright easy.
J O H N.
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) February 16, 2019
C O 💪 💪 I N S. pic.twitter.com/WbOwn9dEGl
JOHN. COLLINS. 😱#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/bzpkgP2s07
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
Collins went 360 off a Trae Young alley-oop. WOW. pic.twitter.com/6ebECg0lEn
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) February 16, 2019
Marvin Bagley III, however, kind of forced Collins' hand. He had to outdo this.
Some style on the finish from @MB3FIVE! 🌀
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2019
USA Team: 52
World Team: 50#MTNDEWICERisingStars on @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/TYNpRcjqdG
While Ben Simmons, an All-Star in his own right, decided to show out a bit of his own.
Back-to-back BEN HAMMERS! 🔨💥
— NBA (@NBA) February 16, 2019
18 PTS, 9-10 FGM for Simmons on @NBAonTNT #MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/7FmvrR22Rx
Kyle Kuzma took home MVP, and he got in on the highlight reel.
Kuz throws it down! 🔨#MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/HeEgw9J5Ke
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 16, 2019
And it came down to the wire against Jayson Tatum.
🔨🔨🔨 pic.twitter.com/gWuyenuTfH
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 16, 2019
So sure, no defense was played whatsoever, but it's not like anyone expected anything different coming into this game. For the time being, we'll wait to see if the All Star Game is any different -- but don't count on it.