The 2017 All-Star Weekend was filled with drama from start to finish.
First, the original host city, Charlotte, got caught up in some politically sensitive issues back in the U.S. Even Michael Jordan himself couldn't smooth things over.
(This issue involves sensitive topics—if you're curious, go look it up yourself. It's not convenient to explain here.)
In the end, the hosting rights were handed over to New Orleans.
Chen Yilun strode through the streets of New Orleans in a brand-new black overcoat.
This year's All-Star was a huge win for the Kings. Not only had Durant outshone Russell Westbrook—who was having a career-best season—and Stephen Curry, but he'd also secured his spot as the Western Conference's top vote-getter and an All-Star starter.
Their second-in-command, Butler, received a mysterious surge of support from the East at the last moment, miraculously overtaking Spurs star Kawhi Leonard to grab the final starting spot.
That meant the Kings now had two All-Star starters. As for players like CJ, Booker, and Jokić—while they didn't make the All-Star lineup this time, their votes were already trending upward. If they kept improving over the next year or two, an All-Star selection was practically guaranteed.
In the Rising Stars Challenge, LeVert earned a spot on Team USA, while Booker—last year's MVP of the event—unfortunately missed out this time.
CJ entered the Skills Challenge once again, aiming for another trophy.
In short, the Kings had players participating in nearly every event this year.
Chen Yilun, wearing sunglasses, carefully made his way into the arena. The first event of the weekend was the traditional Celebrity Game. If he remembered correctly, that "Electric Eel" guy was participating again this year.
He'd better keep his distance.
Sure enough, as soon as Chen reached the sideline, he spotted the tall figure being interviewed.
Sensing trouble, Chen turned to leave, but before he could take a step—
Thud!
He ran straight into someone and stumbled back.
"Hey, watch where you're going!" he muttered irritably, looking up to see a young man with a casual smile and a familiar face.
"Man, there you are! I've been looking all over for you! What took you so long?"
The guy grabbed his arm enthusiastically, talking nonstop.
"Wait—Justin? You're here too?"
Seeing that half-familiar, half-surreal face, Chen Yilun felt a chill down his spine.
Of course. The 2017 Celebrity Game wasn't just featuring Electric Eel—Justin Bieber was here as well.
Justin, full of excitement, clearly had no idea how uncomfortable Chen was. Grinning, he tightened his grip on Chen's arm.
"I'm telling you, man, I'm a huge fan! I've been wanting to swing by Sacramento to see you guys in action, but you've been impossible to reach!"
Please don't.
Chen Yilun winced as his arm was nearly pulled out of its socket.
What was it with the Celebrity Game? Why did it feel like a magnet for every loud, over-the-top personality in the country?
Before he could escape, Electric Eel—having just finished his interview—spotted them and rushed over.
Now sandwiched between the two of them, Chen felt his life flash before his eyes.
And to make things worse, reporters nearby were snapping away with their cameras.
"Yilun, I invited you last year, but you said you were busy. Now that Justin Bieber is here, you're not getting away this time."
Electric Eel grinned broadly.
"Hahaha, no, no, nothing like that."
Chen Yilun forced a laugh, refusing to take the bait.
"You guys are here to have fun—I'm actually on staff. I've got a team dinner tonight. We'll see how things go later."
"Alright, alright," they said, finally letting him off the hook.
"Let's exchange numbers! We're both huge basketball fans—you're our first real NBA contact!"
After barely escaping from the two of them, Chen Yilun hurried back to his seat like he was fleeing a crime scene.
"Next time, no matter what, I'm not coming to the Celebrity Game," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
After the dull Celebrity Game wrapped up, it was time for the Rising Stars Challenge.
The event once again featured Team USA versus Team World.
Team USA was led by last year's No. 1 pick Karl-Anthony Towns, this year's No. 2 pick Brandon Ingram, along with Malcolm Brogdon, D'Angelo Russell, and others.
Their opponents, Team World, were headlined by Joel Embiid (who, at this time, was still proudly representing the international side), Buddy Hield, Kristaps Porziņģis, and Domantas Sabonis.
Technically, as a 2014 draft pick in his third year, Embiid wasn't eligible to play, but since he missed his entire rookie season with an injury—and spent that time tweeting—the league counted him as a second-year player.
As for this year's top pick, Ben Simmons, he was proudly continuing Philadelphia's grand tradition: sitting out his rookie season with an injury.
Among this lineup of future stars, rookie Caris LeVert seemed completely overshadowed.
"Don't be nervous!"
Seeing LeVert dribbling alone on the sideline, clearly tense, Chen Yilun tried to reassure him.
"It's just an exhibition game—no need to get so worked up."
"It's different, boss," LeVert said quietly. Having spent most of the season in the G-League, he still felt nervous around Chen Yilun. "It's my first time with so many cameras on me. Isn't it normal to be nervous?"
"All those cameras aren't even pointed at you."
Chen didn't hold back his sarcasm.
"They're here to film Towns and Embiid going head-to-head inside. You're just a background player—just get out there, play a bit, and grab a few shots."
"Oh… okay!"
Surprisingly, LeVert didn't feel insulted—if anything, he looked relieved.
When the game began, it went exactly as expected—the two dominant big men started trading blows in the paint.
But midway through, Embiid felt some knee discomfort and sat out.
Then, in the second half, the X-factor appeared.
Denver Nuggets rookie Jamal Murray suddenly caught fire, dismantling Team USA's defense.
He finished with 36 points on 13-of-19 shooting—the highest in the game—snatching the Rising Stars MVP trophy.
Watching Murray lift the trophy in celebration, Chen Yilun rubbed his chin in confusion.
"What's going on here? Even though I poached Jokić, Murray still ended up in Denver… but why does his development feel so different from what I remember?"
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