Alex Speers

Andrew, our top story this week is that the All-Star Game is good now.

In one of the biggest twists of the season.

The new format for the All-Star game appeared to work.

Ignited by Victor Weminyama's energy in the first game, each of the first three games was close, came down to clutch shots from Scottie Barnes, De'Aaron Fox, and Kawhi Leonard.

In the third game, Kawhi, on an absolute heater, scored 31 in just 12 minutes, and not against typical All-Star defense.

It was legitimately cool and fun.

The final game, now that was a bit of a snoozer, as the old man U.S.

team got run out of the gym by the young guns and All-Star MVP, Anthony Edwards, 47-21.

But all in all, I would say best All-Star game I can remember in a long time, and credit to the league.

for preventing a week's worth of the worst NBA pods imaginable.

You thought endless segments about fixing tanking was bad.

Imagine if they'd been followed up with a segment about fixing the All-Star game.

At least we got some positivity mixed in this week with how fun those games were, which is a big win in my book.

Now, as for All-Star Saturday night.

Well, the three-point contest was fun.

Damian Lillard, stepping onto the court for the first time this season, made it to the finals against Devin Booker and Conn Knipple, and then put those guys away, winning his third three-point contest.

A fun moment after the win, Dame was congratulated by Giannis, and Dame asked him if he placed something on call sheet, while Giannis kept saying, stop, stop, stop.

Dame has already committed for next season, and will be recruiting both Steph and Clay to join him.

Now, the Shooting Stars competition, it's back, Andrew, and it happened.

It was something to watch.