Rory Appleton
Lucas Oil Stadium has hosted its share of football memories, but a rounder ball took the field Friday evening as it hosted the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game.
There were stars on the court both literally and figuratively, as the celebrities’ hard-nosed approach to what is normally a lighthearted game and the NBA’s new LED court were the major draws.
Don’t miss the action:Everything you need to know about 2024 NBA All-Star Weekend
The players included actress, singer and talk show host Jennifer Hudson, several NFL players, IndyCar driver Conor Daly and a dozen more actors, influencers and musicians.
Here are seven takeaways from the game.
They went pretty hard
Unlike past celebrity games that I can recall, this year’s teams went at each other pretty seriously. There wasn’t much clowning on either end. No props or trick shots or anything like that.
At one point in the third quarter, the referees called a lane violation during a free throw attempt. This was a serious game.
Who played in the NBA Celebrity Game?Jennifer Hudson, Metta World Peace among stars who took the court
I am not sure that was for the best? It got a little boring. I’m not sure the point of the game is to grade actors’ and football players’ jump shots.
The NBA’s new LED court was pretty slick
The NBA debuted a new court that is essentially one massive LED screen. It was much cooler than I expected in real life. Multicolored stars followed steps on the court, a fire graphic went off after made baskets and so on.
During the fourth quarter, the various lines on the court moved around during the game.
The court could “activate” at different parts of the game to indicate a new minigame, such as baskets worth double. We’re maybe a year or two away from a real-life version of “NBA Jam.” Mark my words.
More:Playing basketball on glass? A closer look at the LED court debuting at NBA All-Star Weekend
Where was everyone?
Maybe it was the weather (it snowed more than 6.5 inches in Indianapolis Friday night), but the place could not have been half full. Folks missed out.
Metta Sandiford-Artest is unfair?
Only one team (Team Stephen A. Smith) had a former NBA player. And the Artest formerly known as Ron was a head taller than even the other athletes. That feels like an advantage in a basketball game.
Luckily, he wasn’t out there trying to bully anyone. He barely played, and he took it pretty easy when he was out there.
I hope Team Shannon Sharpe files a protest with the league. At least they won the game 100-91, in spite of it.
It was Micah Parsons vs. Tristan Jass
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons is a big, scary dude in real life. No one on Team Stephen A. was particularly interested in getting in front of him, and I don’t blame them.
On the other side, Tristan Jass, a YouTuber who specializes in basketball videos, was playing like it was Game 7. He was shooting and driving every single trip down the court.
Parsons and Jass each put up about 30 points. Parsons ended up winning the game and the MVP.
Maybe it was such a serious game because the teams were seeking to match their energies?
Influencer city
Now, I don’t condone this, but if one had thrown a rock in any direction in Lucas Oil, chances are pretty good it would have hit a social media influencer or someone trying to become one. It was not unusual to look up and see dozens in the crowd maneuvering for a selfie.
No judgment. It was a fun night where the game action was secondary, so get that good lighting, young ones.
Peyton Manning no-shows at Lucas Oil Stadium
Indianapolis Colts great Peyton Manning was listed as an assistant coach for Sharpe’s team, but he was nowhere to be found. Reporters were not given any reason for his withdrawal. We were only told he wouldn’t be there.
Surely he knew his way there?
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Rory Appleton is the pop culture reporter at IndyStar. Contact him at 317-552-9044 and rappleton@indystar.com, or follow him on Twitter at @RoryEHAppleton.
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