NBA All-Star Weekend: Recapping the Rising Stars Challenge

Behind 36 points from the game’s MVP Jamal Murray, Team World defeated Team USA in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars Challenge by a score of 150-141.

Just by looking at the score, it is fair to say that nobody played much defense in the NBA All-Star Weekend’s Rising Stars Challenge. In fact, it would be hard to really call it “defense” in this setting. Jamal Murray, the game’s MVP, ended with nine three-pointers made and 11 assists, while his teammate Buddy Hield added 28 points of his own.

In following the Celebrity All-Star Game, this was a fun way to round out the opening night of the NBA All-Star Weekend. Brought to you by the NBA, here is a look at some of the highlights from the game:

And even though the World took it to Team USA in this one, at least former Wisconsin Badgers stand-out Frank Kaminsky came to play. He dropped in 27 points in a very good performance by the second-year big man. Malcolm Brogdon of the Bucks was not particularly spectacular in this game, but then again it doesn’t really fit his play style.

This was an up-paced game with very little defense, two things Brogdon does not like doing very much. Both at Virginia and with the Bucks, he tends to be a player who’s vigilant in his defensive game and very in control of the game with the ball in his hands. He was still able to dish out plenty of #savvy assists, but he never really found a groove scoring the ball.

Although maybe not his best assist of the night, this Wisconsin connection was the most fun play of the night as a Bucks’ fan:

The Bucks’ rookie is still very much in contention to win the Rookie of the Year Award even without a great performance in this showcase, so no worries there. It is already fun enough to have four representatives from the team in New Orleans for the All-Star festivities and seeing two of them on the floor on Friday night was a great thing.

With Brogdon in the Rising Stars, Marc Lasry in the Celebrity Game, Thon Maker coaching in the BWB Global Camp, and Giannis Antetokounmpo starting in the All-Star Game on Sunday night, it is a great time to be a Milwaukee fan.

Brogdon’s final stat line for the night was:

21 minutes: 3 points (1/2 2P, 0/3 3P, 1/1 FT), 4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal

In addition to his play, the President Guard gave his thoughts on the game and where the Bucks are going with the rest of the season:

Next: History Of The Milwaukee Bucks In The Rising Stars Challenge

He might not be coming back with any hardware from this particular journey to New Orleans, but as Brogdon mentions in the video above, his jersey will be retired at the University of Virginia prior to the Bucks starting the second half of the season.