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Quick, someone send the New Orleans Pelicans film of the Rising Stars Challenge. Maybe it will be what finally prompts the team to trade Anthony Davis to the Los Angeles Lakers come summer? Kyle Kuzma, included in the trade package offered by Los Angeles to New Orleans before the trade deadline, was named MVP of Friday night's exhibition between 24 of the league's most promising domestic and foreign-born players, leading the USA to a 161-144 victory over the World.
The Lakers forward scored a game-high 35 points on 15-of-27 shooting overall and 3-of-10 from beyond the arc. He also chipped in six rebounds, two assists, and a block in the typically defense-averse affair. Boston Celtics wing had nearly as strong a case for MVP, finishing with 30 points on 12-of-24 shooting. Trae Young showed out for the Americans, too, dazzling the crowd with eye-popping ball-handling and passing exploits en route to 25 points, seven rebounds, and 10 assists.
But it was Ben Simmons, unsurprisingly, who was probably the best player on the floor. The Philadelphia 76ers star stuffed the stat sheet with 28 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals, going an ultra-efficient 14-of-17 from the field on a series of highlight-reel dunks. Chicago Bulls big man Lauri Markkanen had 21 points for the World squad, while Los Angeles Clippers rookie Shae Gilgeous-Alexander had 15 points, five rebounds, six assists, and three steals off the bench.
Both teams shot over 55 percent from the floor, and the World actually had 48 assists compared to the USA's 45. It was outside shooting, though, that proved the difference for coach Kyrie Irving's team. Led by six triples from Tatum and Young, the Americans outscored their opposition 63 to 48 from beyond the arc.
Kyle Kuzma: Rising Stars MVP. If that won't get the Pelicans to bite on the Lakers' offer, what could?
