ALL-STAR GAME: SHAQ'S OGS VS. CHUCK'S GLOBAL STARS

February 16, 2025

Jayson Tatum

Shaq's OGs

Press Conference

Championship: Shaq's OGs 41, Chuck's Global Stars 25

Q. Jayson, two questions. With the new format change, did the game feel more competitive compared to past All-Star Games, and last year you set the All-Star scoring record. How did your approach differ from this performance?

JAYSON TATUM: The format was cool. I think the toughest part, they stopped the game to do the presentation while we were kind of halfway through it. We were sitting down for 20 minutes, whatever it was. It was kind of tough to get back into the game after that.

But besides that, I thought it was cool. First two games were pretty competitive.

But whatever. So if they could just find a way to not have that long intermission in between the games or during the game, I think it would be a lot better.

Q. Jayson, even with all these great players, how different is Wemby? You played against him tonight. I saw a couple times you going for rebounds. I'm curious what you think about him as the future of the league and this game.

JAYSON TATUM: Yeah, I think an unbelievable player with unbelievable potential. I think myself and everybody is excited to see kind of how far he takes it.

Q. Jayson, it seemed like when you guys played against the Rising Stars, that game was competitive all the way to the end. Do you think having younger players who are hungry, is that something that maybe going forward is going to make this All-Star Game, tournament, into something more competitive?

JAYSON TATUM: I don't know. I got mixed emotions or feelings, I guess, about the Rising Stars part. Obviously happy for those guys. But there is something to be said, it's kind of a big deal to be an All-Star and play Sunday night, which a lot of guys -- some guys get snubbed and other guys have to work really, really hard to make the All-Star Game.

Playing on Sunday night is special, and it always has been. I'm not saying that that was the right or wrong decision. I think whoever we play in that first game, the new format, would have been competitive.

Trial run, I guess. They'll continue to make tweaks or whatever.

Q. Adding to what he said, there was a tweet gone viral on Twitter about adding a team of the snubbed players instead of the Rising Stars to compete against one of the All-Star teams, and if they win, they are the All-Stars, and if the losing team has All-Stars, they lose the accolades of being the All-Stars. Do you think something like that would add a twist for the game to be really competitive, or do you think it's bit a maybe too much?

JAYSON TATUM: That was your idea? It was a horrible idea.

Q. Obviously we're in the Bay Area, home of Steph Curry and the Warriors. Can you just describe Steph's impact on the game and maybe you guys' relationship over the years?

JAYSON TATUM: Yeah, Steph, his impact on the game I think globally has been special. Myself, a lot of guys grew up watching Steph and what he's been able to accomplish over his career, the way he's went about it.

Whatever you want to rank him, one of the best players of all time.

He's an unbelievable person, as well. I had the opportunity to -- obviously on the USA team this summer, spent a lot of time with him, played some golf. Been on numerous All-Star teams together, competed in the Finals. It's an honor to compete against guys that maybe you looked up to when you were in high school, and then you find yourself winning gold medals with them and competing against them in the Finals and All-Star Games.

You probably just can't say enough good things about Steph and what he's done for the game.

Q. I was curious about the pregame, the locker room talk with the players. With the games being shorter, was it a different energy, to be at full speed in the first minutes? What was different in the approach in the locker room and the talks you had and in the warm-up before compared to other All-Star Games?

JAYSON TATUM: I mean, usually the same. You guys see there is a lot that goes into the show of All-Star -- introductions, emcees, people performing on the court. How you would normally prepare for a game is different. Been through it enough times that you kind of know what to expect. You know when to start trying to get ready.

There's a lot of waiting around, but that's just part of the All-Star show. But it was a fun night. I think the fans enjoyed it, and everybody had a good time.