2020 NBA All Stars: Complete Roster, Highlights and Unforgettable Game Moments

2025-11-15 14:00

I still remember the excitement building up to that unforgettable February weekend in Chicago. As someone who's followed NBA All-Star games for over two decades, I can confidently say the 2020 edition was something truly special. The energy at the United Center was electric, though tinged with sadness following Kobe Bryant's tragic passing just weeks earlier. Commissioner Adam Silver had made the brilliant decision to honor Kobe by changing the All-Star format, and let me tell you, that single adjustment transformed the entire game's intensity.

The roster itself was absolutely stacked with talent. Team LeBron featured the captain himself alongside Anthony Davis, Kawhi Leonard, Luka Dončić, James Harden, and my personal favorite to watch, Damian Lillard coming off the bench. Team Giannis countered with the Greek Freak, Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam, Kemba Walker, and Trae Young. Looking at these names now, what strikes me is how many of these players have become even bigger stars since that game. Luka was just beginning his ascent, while Trae Young was establishing himself as a bona fide superstar.

What made this All-Star game different was the new "Elam Ending" format implemented to honor Kobe. The game would end with an untimed fourth quarter and a target score set at 24 points higher than the leading team's total after three quarters. This tribute to Kobe's jersey number created the most competitive All-Star finish I've witnessed in years. The players actually cared about defense in the fourth quarter - something you rarely see in these exhibitions.

I recall thinking during the final minutes how certain players just rise to these occasions. It reminded me of something I'd heard a sports analyst say about Manny Pacquiao: "He's been on the big stage before. He thrives in these moments. I like to put Manny Pacquiao in with Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan, man. These are the moments they live for. These are the moments that they work for." That statement perfectly captured what we witnessed from Kawhi Leonard that night. He was playing with a different kind of intensity, ultimately winning the first Kobe Bryant MVP Award with 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. His performance embodied that championship mentality we associate with legends.

The game itself was an absolute thriller that came down to the final possessions. Team LeBron trailed 133-124 after three quarters, meaning the target score was set at 157. The fourth quarter turned into what felt like playoff basketball. Anthony Davis made the game-winning free throw after being fouled by his own teammate, no less. The final score was 157-155 in favor of Team LeBron, and the intensity during those closing moments was something I haven't seen replicated in All-Star games since.

Beyond the main event, the weekend was packed with memorable moments. The Slam Dunk Contest saw Derrick Jones Jr. edge out Aaron Gordon in what many consider the most controversial judging decision in recent memory. Personally, I thought Gordon deserved the win - his dunk over 7'5" Tacko Fall was absolutely insane. The Three-Point Contest went to Buddy Hield, who scored 27 points in the final round to beat Devin Booker by a single point. The Skills Challenge saw Bam Adebayo become the first center to win since 2016, which was particularly satisfying to watch as someone who appreciates big men showcasing their versatility.

What made this All-Star weekend particularly poignant was how it served as both a celebration and memorial. The player tributes to Kobe throughout the weekend were heartfelt and genuine. You could feel how much he meant to these athletes, many of whom grew up idolizing him. The number 24 was everywhere - on jerseys, in graphics, in the very format of the game itself. It was a perfect basketball sendoff for someone who embodied competitive excellence.

Looking back, the 2020 NBA All-Star Game might have been the last major sporting event before the world changed with the pandemic. There's something bittersweet about that realization. The game drew approximately 7.3 million viewers in the United States alone, making it one of the most-watched All-Star games in recent years. The social media engagement reached unprecedented levels too, with over 4.2 million tweets about the game during the broadcast.

If I'm being completely honest, what made this game stand out was the genuine competitive fire we witnessed. Too often, All-Star games become glorified dunk exhibitions with minimal defense. But the Kobe tribute format pushed these incredible athletes to actually compete, and when you get the world's best basketball players actually trying, the result is pure magic. The fourth quarter particularly felt like watching a playoff game with All-Star talent - something I've rarely experienced in my years covering these events.

The legacy of the 2020 All-Star Game continues to influence how the NBA approaches these exhibitions. The target score format has been maintained in subsequent years because it simply works better. It creates stakes, maintains intensity, and honors Kobe's memory in the most fitting way possible. For me personally, it reinforced why I fell in love with basketball in the first place - those moments when pure talent meets genuine competition create magic that stays with you long after the final buzzer.