Curry subsequently expressed a similar idea,
"He’s the idol of our generation. If there’s anything I can do for him, I will create as many opportunities for him as possible during the game."
Of course, as his opponent, Hansen was also asked about a similar issue.
"We all know this will be Kobe’s last All-Star game, and you will be guarding him on the court. How will you defend him?"
This was the question posed by a reporter, with an implication that was quite clear. They were asking if Hansen would go easy and accommodate Kobe, to ensure this year’s All-Star game would present a harmonious scene.
"I will give it my all in this year’s All-Star game, that’s the greatest respect I can show to Kobe."
However, Hansen’s answer was completely unexpected by the journalists, as there seemed to be something transcendent happening, almost like an eternal cycle.
Because of these various different voices, this year’s All-Star main season has drawn particular attention.
The first day, Media Day, was the focus of public interest. In a less-noticed corner, Jokic finished his rookie challenge.
This year’s rookie game was formatted the same as the previous year, with first and second-year players divided into the World Team and Team USA.
Team USA eventually won with a score of 157 to 154, and LaVine scored 30 points and 7 rebounds taking home the rookie game MVP.
UA’s move to bid higher for Wiggins and then secretly sign LaVine continued to increase in value over the years.
Jokic also performed well, earning a near triple-double with 11 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists.
When the All-Star weekend reached its second day, public interest started to rise rapidly.
Because the individual events would officially kick off on this day.
The skill challenge, the first event to start, was full of highlights.
This event, usually dominated by the smaller players, underwent a format change this year, splitting into a big man group and a small man group.
Green, Cousins, Anthony Davis, and Towns, these versatile big men made their first appearance in the event.
And the end result was surprising; Towns, emerging from the big men’s group, won the final with a three-point buzzer-beater, defeating Little Thomas, who had come through the small men’s group.
This outcome could also be viewed as a trait of the era of small ball; big men without shooting abilities are finding it increasingly difficult to become stars in this era.
After the skill challenge, next up was the three-point contest.
When the contestants began to make their appearances, the cheers in the venue were impossible to stop.
Because of the uniqueness of this year, Kenny Smith, hosting inside the arena, interviewed each contestant as they appeared and asked them for a pre-game statement.
Among them, the Splash Brothers and Hansen drew the most attention, being the favorites to win this year.
Thompson’s statement targeted Curry, "I lost last year, but this year I’m going to win it back."
Curry, ever playful, echoed what he said after being eliminated two years ago in tribute to Hansen, "Are you all competing for second place?"
This also drew cheers and whistles from the crowd.
Speaking of playfulness, Hansen was second to none.
Finally, the microphone was handed to Hansen.
Before he even started, the cheers were already unstoppable.
Most fans had never had the chance to witness Bird’s showmanship live, but many had seen Hansen’s six years ago.
At that time, most of the fans booed Hansen, but with the passage of time, it had become a classic moment fondly talked about by fans.
When the cheers died down, Hansen began, "Stephen, when I told you ’the future is yours’ back then, I was actually lying to you."
Before he could finish, Curry had already burst into laughter, followed by a wave of laughter and whistles from the fans.
Indeed, when it came to showmanship, Hansen was in a league of his own, an explosive presence.
After this round of pre-game statements, the fans’ expectations were through the roof.
Thompson was the first to take the stage, met with wave after wave of cheers.
If scoring was the sole criterion in the first half of the season, Curry was T0 class, while Hansen and Thompson were T1.
Thompson did not disappoint the fans, despite the pressure of going first, he still finished with 22 points. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝓷𝓮𝓽
Thompson got off to a strong start, followed by Harden and Irving, both of whom performed impressively, each scoring 20 points.
The opening set lived up to the fans’ pre-game expectations.
Redick, however, only managed to score 15 points, bowing out early.
Among the subsequent players, Booker also achieved 20 points.
Frye had a subpar performance and only scored 13 points, leading to an early exit.
The only ones yet to shoot were Curry and Hansen, and they faced the most brutal three-point contest of the year.
Because scoring below 20 meant immediate elimination.
Curry, going second to last, felt the pressure and subsequently scored 21 points.
A score that assured his advancement, but his disappointed expression at the end showed he had not performed to his true level.
Hansen was last to take the stage.
Was Hansen under pressure?
Of course, just like six years ago, he had no pressure at all.
Back then, either way he turned, he would win. Now, whether he won or lost really made no difference.
Curry needed to defend his three-point championship to vindicate himself.
And did Hansen’s current standing in the League require another three-point championship for validation?
Frankly, his primary reason for participating was for fun, and his secondary reason, to promote UA and the League.
Then again, the three-point contest was all about touch, and Hansen, going last, was a bit cold and finished with only 22 points.