Cade Cunningham has been named the Rising Stars Challenge MVP

CLEVELAND — All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars Challenge was the latest to be restructured. It was a huge success.

This season, the event features top NBA first- and second year players. It uses a completely new format. There were not just one game with these players like in years passed. Instead, there was four seven-man rosters coached and managed by Isiah Thomas (Hall of Fame). Rick Barry, James WorthyAnd Gary Payton.

Three games were played, two semifinal matchups for 50 and a championship to 25, as a tribute to the league celebrating its 75th year.

Then, and after Cade CunninghamThe No. The No. 1 pick in the 2021 NBA Draft, Barry led Team Barry to a win of 25-20 over Team Isiah. He said he was happy with the format change.

Cunningham, who won the MVP award for the event, said that it was “a lot of fun.” “Great teammates and great coaches, great atmosphere… “I had a great time.

All three games used the “Elam Ending,” first introduced in Chicago in the All-Star Game two years ago.

Rockets guard: “It felt good.” Jalen GreenHe said this after his team lost in semifinal 1. Desmond BaneYou can seal it by hitting a couple of free throws. “It was great. It was thrilling out there. It was fun to just hoove, and have no rules.”

Although the opening minutes of the games reminded me of previous Rising Stars games that are full of 3s and dunks, there was a lot more spice to the last moments.

Bane was fouled Jalen SuggsHe had missed a game-winning free throw just moments before and was given a talk by both Cole AnthonyAnd Tyrese MaxeyHe calmly sank the second to give his team a win.

All three games ended in free throws, a sign that the defense was not being used well enough, at least during the game.

Hornets guard: “I like it,” LaMelo Ball said. “This felt like it was dope. It was great to have something new with the 75, 50, and 25.

G League Ignite players also took part in the celebrations for the first-time — an additional way for NBA to promote its new initiative to get top prospects out of college to spend time in G League before they are eligible for the draft.