Big winners in NBA Rising Stars game? New format and Cade Cunningham

CLEVELAND — The big winner of the Rising Stars game?

The new format.

And also Cade Cunningham and his Team Barry. They won in the new four-team format — and had some dramatic moments to get there.

Jae'Sean Tate hits the TOUGH bucket to win it for Team Barry! pic.twitter.com/mlJjhXwvVG

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 19, 2022

Cunningham took home the MVP trophy with 18 points and nine assists across the two games.

But it was more about the new-look event, which got guys to play hard for stretches, something long lacking from the rookie/sophomore showcase.

“I like it,” the Grizzlies’ Desmond Bane said. “I think playing to 50 points makes it a little more competitive. At first I didn’t really know what to expect, just kind of read off other guys and how they’re playing, the second [championship] game guys played much harder obviously, it was cool for sure.”

“I thought it made it more competitive…” Cunningham added. “With all the talent on the floor, guys played hard… this wasn’t like a normal All-Star game where nobody plays any defense.”

The new Rising Stars format divided 24 players in their first two years in the league (plus four G-League Ignite players) into four teams, with those four teams going into a tournament bracket. However, the big change was the Elam ending, which has teams trying to reach a point total (50 in this case) rather than playing out a time limit.

That ending did for the rookie and sophomore showcase what it has done for the All-Star Game itself: Got guys to try.

At least for part of the games. Even with the new format, most of the contests were the usual defense-free zones that lead to entertaining highlights but little drama.

JALEN SUGGS OFF THE BACKBOARD TO COLE ANTHONY!!!

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