The 2022 NBA All-Star Weekend took place in Cleveland, and this year, the league also took time to celebrate its 75th anniversary. Countless classic and meaningful memories emerged as all-time greats, including Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar, stepped onto the stage again.
A couple of former Trojans were involved in the All-Star activities: DeMar DeRozan contributed the game-winning assist for Team Lebron in the All-Star Game, and Evan Mobley hit a half-court three to win the Taco Bell Skills Challenge.
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers (0-1)
Though the NBA took a one-week break from the regular season, the Cleveland Cavaliers continued to win during All-Star Weekend.
Bang! A half-court 3-pointer by rookie Evan Mobley helped Team Cavs, which also included All-Stars Darius Garland and Jarrett Allen, lift the Taco Bell Skills Challenge trophy over the other two teams, Team Rooks (Cade Cunningham, Josh Giddey and Scottie Barnes) and Team Antetokounmpo (Giannis, Thanasis and Alex).
“I was just going out there and having fun,” Mobley said.
As one of this year’s biggest surprises, the 35-23 Cavaliers stand in fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Their 60.3% win rate this season is nearly double that of last season. Ranked No. 4 in defensive efficiency (105.8), the Cavaliers are becoming one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, largely because of their long and athletic players.
Mobley is one of them. The rookie out of USC is having an impressive year so far. He is averaging 14.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.6 blocks per game this season. Offensively, Mobley has proved his versatility, showing he can post up and hit both mid-range shots and 3-pointers. At this point, most of Mobley’s offensive opportunities are created off the ball, for example, catch-and-finish in transition and half-court offense, and second chances by offensive rebounds.
Due to Garland’s recent injury, Mobley has initiated plays more frequently. Though his offensive efficiency has slightly dropped with Garland out, Mobley has gained confidence and experience from playing a different role in the offense.
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls (2-0)
“Going to Chicago, they knew I wasn’t going there to wear a Chicago Bulls jersey and get some free Jordans,” DeMar DeRozan said on Saturday before the All-Star Game. “I’m gonna make something happen.”
Indeed. The Chicago Bulls won two straight games before All-Star Weekend, which improved their record to 38-21 — No. 2 in the East. Led by the All-Star backcourt duo of DeRozan and Zach LaVine, this team has become a powerful force in the league, particularly on the offensive end.
The Bulls are ranked seventh in scoring (112.6 PPG), first in field goal percentage (48.3%), second in three-point shooting percentage (37.6%) and fourth in offensive efficiency (113.4). Chicago’s success is not limited to DeRozan and LaVine. The Bulls have five players scoring more than 13 points per game this season.
Thirty-two-year-old DeRozan is averaging 28.1 points, 5.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists this season, which is a 6.5-point increase in scoring from last season. While DeRozan has not been known as a vocal leader in previous years, he is influencing his teammates in a different way this season. DeRozan has put the Bulls on his shoulders when injuries struck the team, stepping up on both ends.
As one of five starters for Team LeBron, DeRozan finished his fifth All-Star performance with 10 points, four rebounds and five assists, including the game-winning assist to LeBron James, who made a fadeaway jump shot over LaVine.
“He won the game, but I won the 1-on-1 series,” LaVine joked about DeRozan.
Nikola Vucevic, Chicago Bulls (2-0)
Some of the best news for Nikola Vucevic and the Bulls during the All-Star break was the signing of Tristan Thompson. The Bulls have long been pursuing a backup center this season because Tony Bradley didn’t meet their expectations. Thompson is known for his defense and rebounding ability, averaging 2.3 offensive rebounds in 15.3 minutes this season. Also, 30-year-old Thompson is one of the only two players on the Bulls that has championship experience — the other one is Alex Caruso.
Vucevic is undoubtedly the third best player in Chicago, averaging 18.2 points, 11.7 rebounds, 3.6 assists, one steal and 1.2 blocks per game this season. Though Vucevic has been healthy so far, it is of great importance to give the veteran more rest during the remainder of the regular season.
Onyeka Okongwu, Atlanta Hawks (2-0)
The Atlanta Hawks won two games before the break and climbed to No. 10 in the East, which would put them in the play-in tournament if the playoffs started today.
Just like the Hawks, former Trojan Onyeka Okongwu has been bouncing back recently. Okongwu averaged 10 points, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks over his last two games before the break. Okongwu’s athleticism is one of his biggest advantages when he plays the center position. He posted 12 points on 6-of-7 shooting from the field in a win over the Orlando Magic on Feb. 16, where he was able to score in transition due to his speed.
Playing off the bench for the rest of season, as long as Okongwu continues to improve himself on both ends — for example, high-quality screening and off-ball cuts on offense, switch defense and help defense — he will have more opportunities to prove himself in clutch time.