NBA All-Star Weekend 2022: Obi Toppin wins lackluster dunk contest, KAT wins 3-point crown; LeBron talks Cleveland return

So apparently LeBron James is not retiring as a member of the Lakers. Unless, that is, they somehow find a way to land Bronny James when he enters the NBA Draft (probably in 2024).

Of all the takeaways from his incredible interview with our Jason Lloyd on Saturday, the one I’m going to dissect here in hopes of understanding the smart and compelling ways the Lakers star is using his power and influence right now, we’re going to start with this unofficial announcement. The 37-year-old, who has one season left on his current contract and who came to the Lakers in 2018 aiming to end his storied career near Hollywood, has made it clear that his desire to play with his 17- old is so strong he will determine where he plays in his final chapter of basketball.

But there is more than meets the eye here. So. Many. Continued.

Here’s a look at the Jason Lloyd exclusive.

If he would consider Cleveland for one last run:

“The door is not closed on that. I’m not saying that I’m coming back to play, I don’t know. I don’t know what my future holds for me. I don’t even know when I’ll be free.

But there is a catch:

“My last year will be played with my son. Wherever Bronny is, that’s where I’ll be. I would do whatever it takes to play with my son for a year. It’s not a question of money at that time.

After tonight’s festivities, Cole vows to keep it under the ledge from now on.

If you had the power to make the 3-pointer the final event of NBA All-Star Saturday, would you do it?

Here is my solution for the dunk contest.

Kind of unrelated to this contest, but every time I see Obi Toppin it makes me think of how Dayton was in the top five and one of the best college basketball teams in the country in March 2020 and then… you know… things happened.

A huge “What if?” which I’m sure only me, a few of my friends, and the great people of western Ohio care about.

Anyway, DUNKS.

No offense to Juan Toscano-Anderson but unless he channels Vince Carter in this final round, we need Obi Toppin to save us from a “default” dunk champion.

We’ve had them plenty of times over the past decade and we just need a legendary dunk from Toppin to keep us strong in the dunk contest.

He’s been brilliant so far.

JTA and Obi will face off in the final round of this year’s dunk contest.

Who are you taking?

So far, this dunk contest feels like a kid’s birthday party. The kids seem to enjoy it, but everyone is just waiting for it to be over to literally go do something else.

The dunk made by Jalen Green was nice but the tribute to Nate Robinson and Chris Andersen before the dunk with the 30 failed attempts was unnecessary and frankly untimely.

I guess when it comes to Cole Anthony’s Timbs dunk… it’s bricks.

Mavs fans got angry when Karl-Anthony Towns called himself the all-time best shooter, but at least with 3-point accuracy, he’s absolutely right.

He’s far ahead of Dirk Nowitzki in career percentage, and he’s on course to break records for big men and outside shooting. He may not be there yet, but he’s on his way. And now he can hoist that trophy for winning the shootout.

Luke Kennard (28), Karl-Anthony Towns (22) and Trae Young (22) advance to the 3-point contest final.

Trae was my choice. He barely made his last shot to tie KAT.

Who are you riding with in this final?

I really think the NBA needs to bring back two shooters at the same time and have the split-screen experience.

It adds drama to it. This adds competition to it. And that would also speed up the first round. It’s better as a presentation this way too.

No left-handed participant won the 3-point contest. Let’s see if Luke can leave his mark.

Someone really wanted the Curry family to catch those boos in Cleveland. Having Ayesha and Steph Curry promote About Last Night (on HBO Max) here was definitely a fit.

Cleveland wins the skills challenge to prove they have the most skills in the NBA. Their price?

A giant paperweight that will not be seen again after Evan Mobley wins the Rookie of the Year award.

If tied, this should really turn into American Gladiator events where they do the one with the nerf weapons as a member of the other team tries to bombard them with tennis balls from this Gatling tennis ball.

Or maybe instead of tennis balls they use t-shirt guns.