NBA All star-game is one of the NBA's featured events. The best 24 players from the NBA league are selected for this event. Two teams lead by two stars of the league play against each other in a weakened of February or March. Generally, the event goes for three days. But this year it was a one-day event due to all the covid-restrictions going on. The NBA awards were announced and Kawhi Leonard won the NBA All-Star Game MVP award this year.

It was Team LeBron and Team Durant who took part in the All-Star 2021 game.

Team LeBron will play for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and Team Durant will play for UNCF (United Negro College Fund), with both organizations providing scholarship funding to further the higher education of students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. (Source NBA)

The MVP or most valuable player of the NBA is a prestigious award where legends like Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan featured over the years.

NBA Awards: NBA All-Star Game MVP award in last ten years

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2011- Kobe Bryant

Kobe, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers won the award in 2011. His field goal percentage was .451, Points per game was 25.3 and assists per game was 4.7

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NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2012- Kevin Durant

Kevin Durant was named as the All-star game MVP in 2012. He was in Oklahoma City Thunder team that year. His field goal percentage was .496, Points per game was 28.0 and assists per game was 3.5 that year.

Also Read: Joakim Noah Retires: Every Joakim Noah stats in his career

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2013- Chris Paul

Chris Paul won this award for the first time in his career in 2013. Also, it was the only time he got the award. Perhaps, it was his field goal percentage of .481, points per game of 16.9 and assists per game of 9.7 that made it possible.

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NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2014- Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving in 2013 had.430 field goal percentage and 20.8 points per game in 2014. Moreover, he was awarded the Rookie of the Year award in 2012 as well for his brilliant performance in his debut season.

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2015- Russell Westbrook

Russell Westbrook got the award in 2015 for his record-breaking 28.1 points per game. This is the record for the highest PPG in the last decade. He also had 8.6 assists per game as well in 2015.

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2016- Russell Westbrook

In 2016 Russell Westbrook became the first-ever player in NBA history to win the All-Star MVP award in consecutive years. His performance that year was- .454 PG%, 23.5 PPG, and 10.4 APG (most in this decade)

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2017- Anthony Davis

Anthony Davis had an record 11.8 rebounds per game (most in decade) and 28.0 points per game playing for the New Orleans Pelicans.

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2018- LeBron James

LeBron had an outstanding year in 2018 playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers. He had an outstanding .542 field goal percentage that season, which is still the best in this decade.

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2019- Kevin Durant

After 7 long years, Kevin Durant got the award in 2019. Moreover, he was in the All-NBA 2nd Team that year also. The forward from Golden State Warriors had a great year in 2019.

NBA All-Star Game MVP award 2020- Kawhi Leonard

Kawhi Leonard was in the Team Durant in the All-Star Match this season. His performance speaks volumes as a forward in the NBA league. He had 27.1 points per game and .470 field per game in the 2020-21 season.

Proper fitness and training are a must for every sportsperson today. No matter which field of sports you are associated with, a nutrition-rich diet, exercising, and taking extreme care of physical health are an absolute mandate.

World-renowned athletes also inspire the younger generation to emphasize their physical health and lead a disciplined life. On this note, let's take a look at the top 6 male fittest players in the world.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo is one of the greatest footballers of all time and a huge inspiration to billions. Apart from his football skills, the entire world knows Ronaldo for his chisled and well-featured physique.

The Portuguese captain had the physical capabilities of a 20-year-old when he joined Juventus in 2018. 

He had 7% body fat and a muscle mass of 50%. He weighs around 79 kg. The pivotal reason behind these extreme physical abilities is his dedication to fitness and his physical health.

No wonder his performances advanced at this level throughout the past years. 

Ronaldo focuses on his sleep and nutrition as he eats five times a day and sleeps 8 hours as well. The 39-year-old has an extreme fitness routine. He enjoys his cardio, pilates and strength exercises. 

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is undoubtedly the athlete who revolutionized the concept of fitness in India. He is one of the fittest athletes in India at the moment. The former Indian test skipper influenced, and still influences his teammates, the younger generation, and his fans to follow the path of a proper fitness regime.

There has been a massive improvement in his performance since he started eating clean and followed a definite path of athleticism.

Kohli weighs around 74.5-75 kg and has been maintaining that weight for the last few years. He is one of the fastest runners in cricket and focuses on nutrition and strength training to stay fit.

Mohamed Salah

The current Liverpool winger did not look like this when he left England in 2015 to join Italian Club Fiorentina and then Roma. However, since then, Egyptian footballers have become some of the fittest players in the world. 

He has a very low body fat percentage and maintains a disciplined life, making a lot of sacrifices to remain in shape. 

Salah generally has mixed variants of food to have all kinds of nutrition and then focuses on his training to stay fit. He normally trains twice a day if he is skipping his football practice. "My nutritionist says that because I don't have any fat on my body, I can eat what I want. I also don't drink, so it's fine," Salah told CNN in 2020. Discover the world of football with https://1xbitpakistan.com/

LeBron James

The 6 feet 8 inches tall LeBron James is one of the greatest basketball players in NBA history. The 113-kilo weight basketballer is undoubtedly the oldest NBA player currently.

James, throughout his career, has remained fit and lean. However, in 2014, he gained some weight but then lost many kilos with his diet and training. "I am very consistent with training my body, rehabbing my body, eating, having my body be very clean throughout this journey because I've always wanted to have a long career, or as long as I could be in this space," James told Tim Ferriss in an interview in 2018. 

Moreover, he sleeps more than 8 hours a day and sometimes 9 or 10 to recover well.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the most influential figures in modern football. The 42-year-old, even after calling it a day, follows a strict regime to remain in his fittest form. According to GQItalia, his food items are carefully weighed on a scale.

No matter how small a quantity the food is, everything needs to be measured to the exact gram. Also, junk food is a strict no for him. His workout routine, along with a strict diet, are the reasons behind his fitness and strength

Rich Froning

This list would remain incomplete without Rich Froning, the greatest CrossFit athlete of all time. He is the first and only athlete to clinch the title of "Fittest Man on Earth" 4 times consecutively from 2011. He is immensely powerful and can deadlift 545 pounds. Also, he can snatch 300 pounds, and do 75 chin-ups after deadlifting 545 pounds. His interest in strength and CrossFit games began during his fire department training days.

Artificial Intelligence has been improving the sports we watch and analyze for nearly the past 20 years, but the latest generation of ultra-modern AI tools is revolutionizing every aspect of sports, from improving player and team performances to ensuring safety along with fan engagement and the experiences.

AI can process and store large amounts of data, which allows us to gain insights that we couldn't see before. This capability is at the center of the revolution. For the players, this brings improved strategies, varied training methods, and a significantly lower risk of injury.

The fans enjoy a whole new level of engagement in the game, thanks to Al-powered platforms providing content tailored to them, such as virtual reality experiences and more.

The massive impact of AI in the Sports Industry

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing the Sports Industry rapidly by offering solutions to common problems such as individual performance, tactical requirements, injuries and recoveries, variations in training, etc.

The capacity of AI and GenAI tools to analyze complex data and provide instant insights is ushering in a new era of athletic performance and fan engagement as well.

From predictive analytics that improve player safety and performance to AI-powered viewing experiences for fans, the influence of artificial intelligence is setting the bar higher across the industry.

1. Player and team performance

GenAI can analyze team and player behavior to reach conclusions that would contribute to improved training and coaching. For example, they can monitor and analyze the movements of players with computer vision.

In this way, they can assess whether an athlete is moving wrongly or could be injured. Machine learning algorithms can watch game videos to identify patterns of the opposing team. Sports coaches can be made to develop wiser game plans and strategies by artificial intelligence.

Some techniques, including motion tracking and motion analysis, can capture changes in the posture, movement, or technique of a player that indicte fatigue or poor motor control.

According to a study by Grand View Research, the sports analytics market size was valued at $1.9 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $5.2 billion by 2028, showcasing the rapid growth and demand for advanced analytics tools in sports.

The following two tools are widely applicable to player and team analysis:

• SportVU: This system tracks detailed player and ball motion in a game with computer vision and machine learning. It can analyze shot mechanics, accelerations and decelerations, speed, and distance.
• KINEXON: This system tracks positional and motion data in real-time by equipping players with sensors.

2. Injury Prediction and Prevention

Injuries occur regularly in professional sports. Identifying and preventing injuries before they even occur is likely one of the most thrilling applications of AI.

Teams can utilize AI algorithms to monitor an individual's motion as they move their joints and strain their muscles. It can search for patterns or instabilities that signify an injury before the symptoms themselves appear.

AI can recognize a slight deviation in the amount of strain a soccer player puts on their knee joint and warn the coaches or medical staff. Way before the injury became acute enough to cause the player to miss games, the team could either give them rest or do exercises to help them recover.

A report by MarketsandMarkets estimates that the global sports medicine market, which incorporates AI-driven health monitoring solutions, is projected to reach $9.3 billion by 2026, underlining the significant role of AI in athlete well-being.

The following two tools could be used in the AI-powered prediction and prevention of injuries:

• Sparta Science: It uses computer vision and motion sensing in analyzing movement patterns of an athlete. Based on motion data, biomechanical deficiencies, and especially risks of increased injury, machine learning models are able to identify those. 
• Zone 7: It measures injury risk using factors such as workload, degree of fatigue, and others through artificial intelligence and research in sports science. Their methods take age, position, body composition, and medical history into account. 

3. Training Through AI-Powered Analytics and Wearables

Smartwatches and fitness trackers are examples of wearable technology that have become essential for tracking many of the parameters mentioned earlier.

Wearable GPS devices that can track athletes' speed and location, overall distance traveled, and movement patterns are available to provide relevant information.

Wearable heart rate monitors use optical sensors to measure blood flow in real-time, tracking the heart rate. This is an important aspect of monitoring heart health, fitness levels, and recovery. It also helps in tracking blood oxygen levels, which is another important component of modern-day fitness trackers. They use optical sensors to track the oxygen saturation level of blood.

Since the 2010s, Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), such as GPS tracking vests, have been commonly used in professional sports. Such vests are offered with discrete and effective GPS tracking and sensors located on the back and shoulders; they are typically worn as tank tops.

In football and rugby, the vest is mainly utilized to track the location and movement of a player and, thereby, report strengths and weaknesses.

4. Sports Commentary and Reporting

Sports commentary and reporting can automatically be generated from match events and live data by employing natural language processing (NLP) methods like GPT-3. Artificially intelligent commentary not only comments on a strategy but also summarizes the critical events of match play. 

Similarly, GenAI can create such highlights, summaries, and post-match data reportage for viewing audiences as well.

NLP methods can make the commentary more dramatic and interesting by taking into account the game statistics and situations in real-time data. With the use of generated personalities and tones, it is possible to accommodate various fan interests in the coverage.

Automated GenAI reporting enhances sports coverage and commentary without losing interesting and captivating stories.

5. Sports Officiating

The use of AI in sports officiating is not without controversy, including traditional backlash and concerns regarding technology's influence on the game. Yet, the improvements it introduces, such as real-time analysis and decision support, are dramatically enhancing the accuracy and fairness of officiating.

Its capabilities to review plays from multiple angles and analyze them in seconds are proving invaluable in high-level games where every call matters.

Despite initial doubts, the use of AI in officiating is increasingly being accepted, with many seeing its potential to eliminate human error and ensure a level playing field.

As the technology improves and its uses extend, its role in assisting fair play and accuracy in sports is poised to increase, ushering in a new era in the use of technology and sportsmanship.

6. Player Scouting

Team owners are using artificial intelligence to review the performance of the players. To determine the most skilled people to invest in, they use data analysis using artificial intelligence. It takes millions of dollars to find talent in the sports world.

So, team owners would like to ensure that scouting one player is the best decision. Artificial intelligence is used widely in scouting players for any sport, be it cricket, football, or basketball.

AI-powered Change in Fan Engagement and Experiences

1. Personalized Fan Engagement

To provide customised fan experiences, GenAI algorithms can model the preferences and behaviours of audiences. Sports teams and broadcasters can use these insights to optimize engagement across media channels.

For example, social media platforms can deliver tailored video highlights, personalized promotions, and AI-recommended content to resonate with each fan.

The NBA revealed 'NB-AI', allowing fans to activate "movie mode" and watch live games animated like popular films, such as Spider-Man

pic.twitter.com/zb2IYT2YBX

— Dexerto (@Dexerto) February 16, 2024

Based on their past interactions and activities, the Generative AI identifies what content types, sports stats, and topics each fan finds most appealing. It creates and sends personalized content for each person. This level of customization, enabled by GenAI in sports, helps sports organizations connect more deeply with their audiences.

2. Viewing Experiences

GenAI can process live video to generate augmented reality (AR) overlays and graphics that enhance broadcasts or live streams.

For example, shot trajectories, real-time player stats, and situational analysis can be visualized and overlaid onto the gameplay footage. For virtual reality (VR), GenAI can create real-world simulated environments for an immersive in-game perspective.

The key innovation is using Generative AI to dynamically generate and adapt AR/VR overlays and environments on the fly, customized to each moment. As the narrative and action of the game shift, the GenAI-powered augmented experiences shift with them, elevating viewing to multidimensional engagement. 

A survey conducted by PwC found that 65% of sports fans are interested in using AR or virtual reality (VR) devices to watch sports, indicating a growing appetite for immersive experiences enabled by AI-driven technologies.

Conclusion

AI collaboration with sports is making the place safer as well as fairer. Predictive modeling and algorithms in AI are becoming a must for injury prevention. AI guarantees that more accuracy and fairness can be introduced in the outcome of a game by enhancing officiating. Both the aspects of performance and integrity are vital components in ensuring the prosperity and popularity of sports continue.

The impact of AI reaches sports journalism, advertising, and the creation of next-gen sports equipment, beyond the field or court. These innovations create new revenue streams and provide more exciting ways for fans to engage with their beloved sports and teams.

In this sense, artificial intelligence in the sports field could be said to be, by itself, a change not only for the athletes or for the coaches but for the sports system in general. With AI, the sports of the future could easily be foreseen because technology would harmoniously mix with manly athleticism at its highest levels.

Boston Celtics will host the Dallas Mavericks at the TD Arena for the NBA Finals (Game 2). Both the teams brought their A-game to the field. But the Celtics emerged victorious in Game 1 with a final score of 107-89. Jaylen Brown (22 points) and Kristaps Porzingis (20 points) led the scoreboard which helped the Celtics secure the win. The Mavericks fell short of 11 points with leading contributions from Luka Doncic (30 points) and PJ Washington (14 points).

We are heading to the NBA Finals 2024 (Game 2) where it's Goliath vs Goliath and it can be anybody's playoff at this point. The Celtics lead by 1-0 with an incredible comeback from Kristaps Porziginis who returned after a 39-day injury layoff and scored 20 points, adding three blocks and six rebounds in 21 minutes. 

The East vs West basketball saga for 2024 will head to its second chapter where anticipation is to the fullest as to who will achieve the win and head to Game 3. Boston will step in as the team leading the playoffs. All eyes will be on Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and recently returned Kristaps Porziginis as they aim to move forward with a (2-0) lead for the rest of the playoffs. But all has not been lost as Kyrie Irving, Luka Doncic and PJ Washington will look for the win to tie the NBA Finals at (1-1).

 Let's take a look at the squad stats of the champions of Eastern Conference and Western Conference as they go head-to-head against each other in the NBA Finals 2024 (Game 2):

BOSTON CELTICS

Starting lineup:

Jayson Tatum

Jayson Tatum has scored 16 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 5 assists and 11 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 9 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Jaylen Brown

Eastern Conference Finals MVP Jaylen Brown has scored 22 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 2 assists and 6 rebounds(1 offensive rebound and 5 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	23.0
Assists per game	3.6
Rebounds per game	5.5
Steals per game	1.2

 

Derrick White

Derrick White has scored 15 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 5 assists and 2 rebounds(1 offensive rebound and 1 defensive rebound).

Stats per game:

Points per game	20.1
Assists per game	5.2
Rebounds per game	4.2
Steals per game	1.0

 

Jrue Holiday

Jrue Holiday has scored 12 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 5 assists and 8 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 6 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	12.5
Assists per game	4.8
Rebounds per game	5.4
Steals per game	0.9

 

Al Horford

Al Horford has scored 10 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 3 assists and 7 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 5 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	8.6
Assists per game	2.6
Rebounds per game	6.4
Steals per game	0.6

 

Super-sub : Kristaps Porziginis

Kristaps Porziginis scored 20 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 3 blocks and 6 rebounds(6 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	15.2
Blocks per game	1.9
Rebounds per game	7.2
Steals per game	0.7

 

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Starting lineup:

 Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving has scored 12 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 2 assists and 3 rebounds(3 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	25.6
Assists per game	5.2
Rebounds per game	5.0
Steals per game	1.3

 

Luka Doncic

Western Conference Finals MVP Luka Doncic has scored 30 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 10 rebounds(10 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	33.9
Assists per game	9.8
Rebounds per game	9.2
Steals per game	1.4

 

P.J. Washington 

P.J. Washington has scored 14 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 8 rebounds(3 offensive rebounds and 5 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	12.9
Assists per game	1.9
Rebounds per game	5.6
Steals per game	1.0

 

Derrick Jones Jr.

Derrick Jones Jr. has scored 5 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 6 rebounds(2 offensive rebounds and 4 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	8.6
Assists per game	1.0
Rebounds per game	3.3
Steals per game	0.7

 

Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford has scored 8 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 3 rebounds(3 offensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	11.0
Assists per game	1.6
Rebounds per game	7.6
Steals per game	0.9

 

Jaden Hardy

Jaden Hardy has scored 13 points in NBA Finals 2024 (Game 1) with 1 assist and 3 rebounds(3 defensive rebounds).

Stats per game:

Points per game	7.3
Assists per game	1.5
Rebounds per game	1.8
Steals per game	0.3

 

 The Dallas Mavericks and Boston Celtics will play on Sunday, June 9 in Game 2 of the 2024 NBA Finals. The game is scheduled for 5 p.m. Pacific time (8 p.m. Eastern time)

India put out a dominant show at the Asian Open Pickleball Championship as they finished with four gold and two bronze medals in Vietnam on Tuesday. 

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra confirms his participation at Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar

Four gold and two bronze medals for Team India

In the highly competitive team event at the Asian Open Pickleball Championship, which included two men's doubles, one mixed doubles, and one women's doubles match, team India displayed exceptional skill and teamwork, securing the gold medal.

Sachin Pahwa and Priyanka Chhabra gave India its first gold medal by defeating Ruben Hellberg and Chitlada Hemasee 11-9, 5-11, 11-9 in the final of 35-plus category mixed doubles. 

Whereas in women's doubles, the pair of Isha Lakhani and Pei Chuan Kao won the gold medal by defeating Dang Kim Ngan and Tyak K 15-7, 15-3. 

India's Aniket Patel and Rohit Patil won the gold medal in men's doubles. They overcame Nik Alessandro Isagan and Lester Ga in a hard-fought match.

Despite facing adverse conditions, Aniket and Rohit bounced back after losing the first set and eventually won with final scores of 5-11, 11-6, and 11-8.

Also Read: 70 relay teams qualify for the Paris Olympics at World Athletics Relays Bahamas 24

In the men's 35 plus category, Vijay Menon won the bronze medal by defeating Yu Hsuan Cher, while in the women's singles, Priyanka Chhabra defeated Marissa Phongsirikul to win another bronze medal for India at the Asian Open Pickleball Championship.

Pickleball is a combination of tennis, table tennis, and badminton. This is a fast-growing sport across the world and in the recently concluded Bengaluru Open 2024 more than 400 participants from 17 states participated.

In the US, the game is already skyrocketing in popularity with the likes of Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, and Maria Sharapova embracing the padel. Similarly, stars like Lebron James and Tom Brady have invested in professional teams. 

With a strong contingent of 35 individuals, the All India Pickleball Association (AIPA) played a vital role in supporting India's talent on the international stage. 

Have you ever wondered what NBA players do during their downtime? NBA players have 82 games a season (and more if they make the playoffs), which means that a lot of their time is taken up by playing games, traveling all across the States (and occasionally into Canada), training, working out, and team meetings. This means that the small amount of downtime that NBA players get is important, so it is vital that they make the most out of this limited time. There are a few activities that are popular among NBA players during their downtime that help them temporarily forget about basketball and recharge.

 Rest

Being an NBA player is incredibly demanding, both physically and mentally. Therefore, rest is vital when it comes to downtime. NBA players will spend much of their free time simply relaxing at home, recovering from the demands of the job.

Online Casino Games

Following this, many NBA players like to play different types of games when resting. Games like online casino games can be great fun, allowing NBA players to briefly forget about basketball and enjoy their free time. NBA players do not get many opportunities to visit real-life casinos, so online casinos can be a great alternative and provide the ability to play poker, roulette, blackjack, and other casino games from the comfort of home or on the road. You can also look on review sites for the best online casino bonuses Australia has to take advantage of deals and promotions.

Also Read: The NBA Today: A Look at Some of the Best and Worst Moments This Season 

Practice

Although basketball is a job, it is also a passion for NBA players. Therefore, it is not surprising that many will spend their downtime practicing, whether this is working on their shooting, dribbling, strength training, or improving their fitness.

Family Time

Many basketball fans dream of playing in the NBA, but it is not quite as glamorous as it might seem. NBA players must spend a lot of their time away from home playing an 82-game season (and possibly the playoffs) in cities all over the US and Canada (Toronto). This can take its toll, so it is important that NBA players spend quality time with family at every opportunity.

Business Ventures

You will find that many NBA players also have business ventures on the side. While the star players around the league will make eye-watching money each season that will set them and their families up for life, other NBA players do not earn as much (although many do still have other businesses). Many pursue ventures on the outside that will help them maintain a high standard of living once they hang up the boots.

Community Work

You will frequently see NBA players involved in community and charity work, which is fantastic to see. Of course, this is often part of the contract that they have with their team, but many partake in community work and philanthropic work on their own time. Many NBA players understand how lucky they are and will use their profile and resources to effect positive change in their communities to help those less fortunate.

Mental Wellness

As mentioned, life as an NBA player can be incredibly physically and mentally demanding. NBA players are under enormous pressure to perform to a high standard, and during a time of social media, many experience hate and negative comments. Therefore, it is no surprise that mental wellness is an important part of downtime for players. This can include meditation, mindfulness, spending time with loved ones, and therapy.

Downtime is precious to an NBA player, so it is vital that they have activities that they can turn to that will help them to recharge and recover. The above are a few of the main ways that NBA players do this and activities that help them manage the demands of life in the NBA.