All-Star Saturday night began with a classic. For the first time since 2012, some of the game’s top players, analysts, and celebrities gathered together to participate in the NBA All-Star ultimate draft.
The “GMs” included basketball experts Jerry West, Dominique Wilkins, Sue Bird, Quavo, D.L. Hughley, Dwyane Wade, Charles Barkley, Shams Charania, and Chris Haynes.
Right away, Dominique Wilkins made things interesting with the very first pick.
Dominique Wilkins picked himself first in the #NBA75 Ultimate Draft 👀😅
(via @NBAonTNT) https://t.co/w90kpjcoEt
— The Crossover (@TheCrossover) February 19, 2022
That moment kind of illustrated how the rest of the event would go. As the “GMs” made their picks, comments and laughter would ring throughout, and it was a great time for fans and viewers.
Here are a few other highlights from the night:
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1495162747784359940https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1495173328079785984
Here are what the final rosters look like for each team:
Quavo: Steph Curry, Allen Iverson, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Dennis Rodman, Julius Erving, George Gervin, Walt Frazier, Russell Westbrook, Elvin Hayes.
Wilkins: Dominique Wilkins, Moses Malone, Oscar Robertson, Karl Malone, James Harden, Patrick Ewing, Pau Pierce, Lenny Wilkens, Bob Pettit, Dolph Schayes.
Bird: LeBron James, Larry Bird, Kevin Garnett, Steve Nash, Anthony Davis, James Worthy, Pete Maravich, Nikola Jokic, Sam Jones, Dave Debusschere
According to Sources: Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Bill Russell, Kawhi Leonard, Ray Allen, Damian Lillard, Chris Bosh, Rick Barry, Willis Reed, Paul Arizin
D.L. Hughley: Hakeem Olajuwon, Tim Duncan, Kevin McHale, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Bill Walton, Tracy McGrady, Dave Bing, Jerry Lucas
NBA on TNT Tuesday: Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Durant, Jerry West, Chris Paul, Scottie Pippen, Klay Thompson, Earl Monroe, Robert Parish, Bob Cousy, George Mikan
Jerry West: Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Charles Barkley, Elgin Baylor, John Stockton, David Robinson, Carmelo Anthony, John Havlicek, Nate Thurmond, Bill Sharman
Inside the NBA: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Dwyane Wade, Clyde Drexler, Isiah Thomas, Dave Cowens, Reggie Miller, Bob McAdoo, Nate Archibald, Wes Unseld, Billy Cunningham
On Twitter, fans chimed in with their reactions, which were mostly positive.
Not as good as the OG #UltimateDraft but still very fun #NBAAllStar
— Danny (@dajosc11) February 19, 2022
Quavo team would be the most exciting team to watch #UltimateDraft #NBAAllStar #NBA75
— Mr. Pr1meT1me🤵🏾 (@mrpr1met1me) February 19, 2022
Jerry West is so great on this ultimate draft. So much knowledge and experience #UltimateDraft
— Bill Victor (@billyv_33) February 19, 2022
I’m watching the Ultimate Draft On TNT and they added 4 Wild cards to the NBA 75 Team
-Bosh
-Mcgrady
-Thompson
-Jokic
How is Dwight not a wildcard? And what did this guy do to get this disrespected???
— DJ Stevo 🙏🏾 (@DJ_StevO_) February 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/TT805818/status/1495172288613732354
Jerry West picking Kobe first in fosho the Goat #UltimateDraft 💛💜
— Nukie 🌑 (@CBan85) February 19, 2022
Love that Dom picked Dom #1 on Ultimate Draft lol
— George V. Panagakos (@DCWIZ) February 19, 2022
#UltimateDraft I’m not gonna sleep on Sue Bird’s team though. Great placement 💪🏿
— Niggity Cricket (@urbangodjuan__) February 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/Ddeaton05/status/1495171250959753216
This #UltimateDraft on @NBAonTNT is really intriguing! Jerry West's squad is super tough, but I like Inside the NBA-Tuesday's squad!
The highlight so far tho is Dominique drafting himself as the #1 overall pick! 😂 Legendary!
— Patrick Logan (@Ptlogan7) February 19, 2022
https://twitter.com/Tizzle45/status/1495170900282548235
Jerry West team might be the best simply because he has Kobe and Melo #NBA75 #UltimateDraft
— Apotheosis (@itsthaking_) February 19, 2022
Micheal Jordan after going 3rd in the Ultimate Draft:#UltimateDraft pic.twitter.com/QG2vJswpsA
— Jay Shah (@TheJayShah3) February 19, 2022
The ‘NBA on TNT Tuesday’ crew won the draft, with Jerry West and Dominique Wilkins coming after.
TNT Tuesday wins the Ultimate 5 draft pic.twitter.com/beTcpXwCpT
— Alex 👋 (@Dubs408) February 19, 2022
All of the rosters were full of amazing players, so there was no real winner here. In the end, it was just a fun experience that added some more life to an already great All-Star weekend.
Hopefully, we get to see some more of this going forward.
