After an emotionally draining last couple of weeks for anyone wearing a Lakers jersey — and even those remotely interested the team — the sight Kyle Kuzma and LeBron James participating in NBA All-Star weekend will ease some tension.
Here is when and where you can watch them:
Shoot for the stars
All-Star weekend kicks off with Kuzma playing in the Rising Stars game. He’ll be on the U.S. team, and will face the likes of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons of the World Team.
Lonzo Ball was also selected to be a part of the Rising Stars game, but sitting out with his sprained ankle.
While the game is called “Rising Stars,” it will feature several of the league’s most notable names already. You can catch it at 6 p.m. PT, TNT.
Kuzma shows off his Skills
With skills comes the possibility to showcase them. Kuzma will clock in for the first event of Saturday’s lineup with the Skills Challenge, where he’ll have the chance to be the first Laker in the franchise’s illustrious history to be crowned the champion of the event.
Dribbling, passing, agility and 3-point shooting will be obstacles the sophomore star will have to maneuver through if he wants to come out on top.
Kuzma’s confidence has grown sky-high since his standout rookie season, and he’s been one of the most consistent Lakers on the court. He’ll get a chance to show his versatility to show his skills for a national audience, and given that Kuzma thrives under pressure, he’ll probably bring his signature Kuzmania style with even more eyes on him during the challenge on Saturday at 5 p.m. PT on TNT.
Let the recruiting begin
So far, it seems like the Lakers won’t be fined for tampering violations this weekend, but only because players have more freedom in that department, because it’s safe to call LeBron James’ All-Star team roster the All-Tamper Team.
Impending free agents Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving and Kawhi Leonard will suit up to start the game with James on the Charlotte Hornets’ court alongside James (and James Harden). And even if he’s not starting, all eyes will be on possible future Laker Anthony Davis while he sits on James’ bench as a reserve, and when he takes the court with his fellow Klutch Sports client.
When Davis does go into the game with James, people will finally see what it would’ve looked like had the Lakers pulled off a trade with the New Orleans Pelicans, and it’s safe to bet that plenty of James’ other interactions that will be micro-analyzed for their recruiting implications all weekend. The game will tip off at 5 p.m. PT on TNT.
Stats and info per CBSsports.com and SB Nation. You can follow Megan on Twitter at @garciamegan_.
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