Relive the Top 10 Unforgettable Moments From NBA All Star 2017 Game

I still remember sitting in my living room with that familiar mix of anticipation and excitement buzzing in the air. The 2017 NBA All-Star Game wasn't just another exhibition—it felt like a celebration of basketball at its most spectacular, a gathering of legends and rising stars that delivered some truly magical moments. As someone who's analyzed basketball for over a decade, I've learned that All-Star games often walk a fine line between entertainment and genuine competition, but the 2017 edition in New Orleans managed to strike that perfect balance, giving us highlights that still pop up in conversation years later.

Let's start with the obvious showstopper—Anthony Davis putting on an absolute clinic in front of his home crowd. The man dropped a record-breaking 52 points, shattering Wilt Chamberlain's previous All-Star scoring record that had stood since 1962. Watching him attack the rim with that combination of power and finesse, I remember thinking how special it was to witness a player so completely in sync with the moment. The Smoothie King Center was electric every time he touched the ball, and when he hit that 52nd point with a thunderous dunk, the roar felt like it might lift the roof right off the building. That performance wasn't just about numbers—it was about a player embracing his city, his fans, and writing his name into the history books in the most dramatic fashion possible.

The West's 192-182 victory might look like just another high-scoring All-Star affair on paper, but the game had stretches of genuine defensive intensity that surprised even me. There was one sequence where Russell Westbrook—always the human highlight reel—stripped the ball from LeBron James near midcourt and finished with that explosive acceleration we've come to expect from him. What made it special was the competitive fire both players showed in what's typically a relaxed setting. Giannis Antetokounmpo, in his second All-Star appearance, gave us glimpses of the superstar he'd become, attacking the rim with those impossible strides that made defenders look like they were moving in slow motion. His 30-point performance felt like a declaration that he belonged among the elite, and watching him now, it's incredible to see how far he's developed since that coming-out party.

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry reminded everyone why their partnership was so feared, connecting on several plays that showcased their almost telepathic understanding. There was one particular transition three where Curry didn't even look before firing a pass to Durant, who drained it without hesitation. Those moments transcended the All-Star setting—they were glimpses of the basketball IQ that made the Warriors so dominant during that era. Meanwhile, DeMar DeRozan's mid-range mastery was on full display, a refreshing contrast to the three-point barrage that has come to define modern All-Star games. His elegant footwork and pull-up jumpers felt like watching an artist at work, a reminder that beauty in basketball comes in many forms.

What struck me most about that game, reflecting on it now, was how it captured several players at pivotal moments in their careers. This was Kemba Walker's first All-Star appearance, and you could see the joy and determination in every move he made. The way he navigated screens and created space against taller defenders was a masterclass in guard play. I've always had a soft spot for players who earn their way to these games through relentless work rather than pure physical gifts, and Walker embodied that perfectly.

The game also gave us what would be one of the final All-Star appearances for Carmelo Anthony, who finished with 10 points in what now feels like a farewell tour moment we didn't fully appreciate at the time. His signature jab-step jumper made several appearances, each one triggering that familiar anticipation in anyone who'd watched his career. There's something poignant about looking back at those moments now, understanding that we were watching the sunset of certain eras while new ones were just beginning.

The 192-182 final score tells you everything about the offensive fireworks, but numbers alone can't capture the sheer entertainment value. James Harden's step-back threes, Draymond Green's no-look passes to unlikely recipients, Kyrie Irving's handles that left defenders grasping at air—the game was a continuous stream of creativity and skill. As an analyst, I sometimes worry that All-Star games have become too focused on three-point shooting, but the 2017 edition maintained a beautiful variety of play styles that kept the game visually interesting throughout.

Thinking about that game reminds me of something broader about basketball culture—the way players approach these moments with both professionalism and joy. I'm reminded of the reference to Nambatac taking cuts in a professional manner, understanding coaching decisions even when they might not go his way. That same professionalism was evident throughout the All-Star weekend, where elite athletes balanced competitive fire with the understanding that this was ultimately a celebration of their sport. The way Anthony Davis handled the pressure of performing at home, or how first-time All-Stars like Walker integrated themselves seamlessly into the star-studded lineup—these spoke to the maturity and professionalism that makes the NBA so compelling.

The 2017 All-Star Game stands out in my memory as one of the better balanced exhibitions in recent history. It had the record-breaking individual performance from Davis, the competitive flashes that reminded us these are the world's best athletes, the passing of torches between generations, and enough highlight-reel material to keep fans talking for weeks. In an era where player movement has accelerated and team compositions change rapidly, looking back at this game feels like opening a time capsule of a specific moment in NBA history. The dunks, the threes, the no-look passes—they all blur together into this vibrant tapestry of what makes basketball so endlessly entertaining. Years later, I still find myself pulling up clips from that game, not just for analysis, but for the pure joy of watching basketball at its most celebratory and spectacular.