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FLASHBACK: What NBA greats thought of last year's All-Star Game Elam Ending

 

By: Kathryn Maloney

The Elam Ending will make its second All-Star Game appearance on Sunday

The NBA All-Star Game will take place on Sunday, March 7th in Atlanta. For TBT fans that means one thing -- the return of the Elam Ending. Before more history is made this year, let's take a look back at what players and commentators thought of it in last year's All-Star Game debut:

LeBron James: 

“I’ve watched a lot of [TBT]. None of us knew what to expect. But throughout the whole fourth quarter and at the end of the game, everybody was like ‘That was pretty damn fun.’”

 

Stephen A. Smith:

 

Chris Paul: 

“Have any of ya'll ever watched the TBT? The Elam Ending, it's fun, every game has to have a game-winner. The Elam Ending I think is a way to keep the game even more exciting.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by TBT (@the.tournament)

 

 

Tracy McGrady:

"It might be one of the better competitive All-Star Games that we've seen in some quite time...it's like the TBT."

"It might be one of the better competitive All-Star Games that we've seen in some quite time...it's like the TBT."

Big thanks to Tracy McGrady for showing the @ElamEnding some love on The Jump this afternoon! pic.twitter.com/nacSwKBrvW

— TBT (@thetournament) February 13, 2020

 

Jimmy Butler: 

“It was dope. Damn sure got to compete at the end. It’s still fun to go out there and be known as one of the best players in the world in this league. Hopefully it stays like that.”

 

James Harden: 

“It was different (than previous experiences) because being down, we had to get to a certain number. It made us play even harder to get to that number. There was no running the clock out. You had to actually score the basketball. No time — just shot clock and you gotta get a bucket. The charities, the fans, the game got exciting. I think the fans got more into it. It was cool. Everybody was so competitive, ready to win the game. We were coming up with different strategies every time to score, to get a stop. It was pretty cool to strategize on every possession.” 

 

Anthony Davis:

“I feel like playing in the end was a playoff game. It was a great competition. It’s 24 players who want to compete at a very high level and to do it in front of a crowd like this. New format, everybody in the game really loved it. Like I said, it was a fun competition. It was great.”

 

Giannis Antetokounmpo:

“After the game, my brother came down, and he said, this has been the most fun All-Star he’s been a part of. And I asked him why, and he told me, “Because you guys were really competitive. You guys were playing to win.” Team Giannis, that’s what we were trying to do. We were trying to come out, set the tone, play hard. Especially in the fourth quarter, the defense got tighter. Guys were hitting one another. Every possession counts. We had a little bit of playoff intensity out there. So I loved it. I hope we can keep the same format for a lot of years, and I think people had fun, we had fun. So that’s what it’s all about.”

 

Tony Kornheiser:

“I’m going to suggest that the NBA immediately adopt this (Elam Ending) format for overtime in regular season games...Look at how much people like it!”

 

 
 
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