NBA All Star Draft 2020 Live: How to Watch the Team Selection Show and Rosters
I still remember the excitement building up as the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend approached, particularly because this would be the fourth consecutive year featuring the captain-selection format. Having covered this event since its revamp in 2017, I've developed a real appreciation for the strategic elements team captains bring to what used to be a straightforward East versus West matchup. The anticipation for the draft show felt particularly electric this year, with LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo returning as captains after their thrilling 2019 showdown.
Watching the draft unfold live provided fascinating insights into how these elite athletes approach team building. Unlike many fans who simply want to see superstars together, I've noticed captains increasingly consider fit and defensive compatibility. LeBron, in particular, has shown remarkable strategic thinking in previous drafts, often prioritizing players who complement his style rather than just selecting the biggest names. This year's draft followed a similar pattern, with both captains making some surprising choices that reflected their basketball philosophies. The television broadcast did an excellent job building suspense, cutting between the two draft rooms and showing the genuine reactions as selections were revealed.
What made the 2020 format particularly compelling was the incorporation of the Kobe Bryant tribute element, with each quarter serving as a mini-game and the final target score honoring Kobe's jersey number. This added emotional layer transformed the entire All-Star experience, making it feel more meaningful than previous editions. I found myself more invested in the outcome because of this tribute aspect, and judging from social media reactions, many fans felt the same way. The league's decision to implement this format demonstrated how sports can beautifully memorialize legends while pushing competitive boundaries.
The actual game lived up to the draft's promise, with the quarter scores telling a story of shifting momentum throughout the contest. Starting with that tight 29-31 opening quarter, then moving to 59-55 by halftime, the game maintained competitive balance through the first half. But what impressed me most was how the third quarter unfolded, with one team pulling away to establish an 83-67 advantage. Having watched countless All-Star games where defense becomes optional, seeing genuine defensive intensity in the second half was refreshing. The final quarter's climb to 111-99 showcased the new format's brilliance, creating genuine tension as teams chased the target score rather than just running out the clock.
From a viewer's perspective, accessing the draft show has become increasingly convenient across multiple platforms. I typically recommend the TNT broadcast for the traditional television experience, but the NBA's streaming options have improved dramatically in recent years. The league's official app provides reliable streams, and for cord-cutters, services like YouTube TV and Hulu Live offer excellent alternatives. What many casual fans might not realize is that the draft show often contains more candid moments than the actual game, with players joking and interacting in ways we rarely see during regular season broadcasts.
Looking at the final rosters, I was particularly struck by how well both teams were constructed. LeBron's squad featured his typical preference for versatile wings and playmakers, while Giannis assembled a more physically imposing lineup that reflected his own athletic style. Having analyzed All-Star selections for years, I've come to appreciate how these drafts reveal captains' basketball ideologies in ways that conventional analysis sometimes misses. The inclusion of first-time All-Stars on both teams added an interesting dynamic, with young stars experiencing the event alongside established veterans.
The game itself delivered one of the most competitive All-Star finishes in recent memory, with the final score of 111-99 not fully capturing the intensity of those closing moments. That 16-point differential in the third quarter, where one team led 83-67, ultimately proved decisive in setting up the final quarter target. As someone who's criticized All-Star games for lacking competitive spirit in the past, I have to commend the players for fully buying into the new format. The fourth quarter featured defense that would make any playoff game proud, with players genuinely contesting shots and executing strategic fouls.
Reflecting on the entire experience, from the draft show to the final buzzer, the 2020 All-Star Weekend represented a significant evolution in how the NBA approaches its midseason showcase. The quarter scores of 29-31, 59-55, 83-67, and the final 111-99 created a narrative arc that traditional All-Star games often lack. As a longtime observer of the league, I believe this format should become the permanent model for future All-Star games. It successfully balances entertainment with competition while paying appropriate tribute to the league's history and legends. The draft show itself has become must-watch television for serious basketball fans, offering unique insights into player relationships and strategic thinking that we rarely see elsewhere.
