2018 All Star

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After a day of service and All-Star Saturday night, the actual reason for All-Star weekend, the All-Star Game, took place at Staples Centre on Sunday night. Deviating from the standard East versus West format, this year's game featured Team LeBron James and Team Stephen Curry facing off. Toronto's DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry were both representing Team Stephen, while Dwane Casey and the Raptors coaching staff represented Team LeBron.

With bragging rights on the line, the game was as competitive as it's been in recent history, coming down to the final possession. Ultimately, Casey's squad, Team LeBron, came out on top, earning a narrow 148-145 victory. James was named All-Star Game MVP.

While Casey's team got the win, Lowry and DeRozan each had big performances. DeRozan had 21 points, tying a team-high, to go along with six rebounds, two assists and two steals in 27 minutes of action. Lowry finished with a game-high 11 assists to go with four points, seven rebounds and three steals in 21 minutes off the bench.

Leading up to the day there were plenty of opportunities for photos, catching up, and soaking in the moment, starting with Lowry and DeRozan arriving to the arena, alongside team captain Stephen Curry.

Lowry was quick to document the occasion shortly after their arrival, posting this photo with his bestie to his Instagram account.

It's been a fun weekend, but a busy one. As evidenced by Lowry trying to catch a quick moment of shut-eye during photo session.

Your All-Star head coach for Team LeBron, Dwane Casey:

All-smiles for four-time All-Star Kyle Lowry during his introduction:

And it was a special night for four-time All-Star and Compton native, DeMar DeRozan:

It didn't take long for Toronto's All-Star backcourt to get to work:

DeRozan and Lowry said there would be plenty of trash talk as they faced their coach on the opposite bench. Casey was clearly enjoying the challenge of coaching against his players:

The Raptors were well represented under the bright lights in Hollywood.

True to form, Casey's team set the tone early, playing the kind of defence that generally isn't seen in an All-Star Game, helping to create one of the most entertaining contests the weekend has seen in some time.

DeRozan scored his 19th and 20th points early in the fourth quarter in emphatic fashion.

Despite not being in L.A. For the weekend, Fred VanVleet was watching and supporting his teammates. Shortly before the game ended, he sent out the DeRozan for All-Star MVP tweet.

For DeRozan, it was special to be back home with family and friends close.

After the game, Casey called the close battle between the two teams a great first step toward how the game should be played. In true Casey fashion, he also made sure the praise his team's defence on the final possession, and of course, discussed coaching against his two superstars.

"That was tough," he said of having to coach against DeRozan and Lowry. "Those two have carried us and pushed us and I love both of them as sons and I'm proud of them."

Though Casey earned bragging rights at the end of this one, it was a big weekend for the Raptors organization. With two All-Stars participating and their head coach manning the sideline for the first time in franchise history, the weekend served as a reminder of the hard work that went into a solid first half of the season and also a celebration of their first-place standing in the Eastern Conference.

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2018 All Star Weekend: Day 3 Recap

All-Star Saturday night might be the main event for Day 2 in Los Angeles, but the All-Stars had another busy day in advance of the evening's festivities.

With a morning practice session involving both teams, as well as the media availability session in the afternoon, Kyle Lowry, DeMar DeRozan, Dwane Casey and Toronto's coaching staff were all present, representing the Raptors organization.

When he wasn't tied up running Team LeBron's All-Stars through their practice session, Casey spent some time inking his signature to rows of All-Star Weekend basketballs.

One of the coolest parts of having All-Star 2018 in Los Angeles is all of the All-Stars who grew up in L.A. before making it to the league. One of the All-Stars DeRozan grew up with was Rockets guard James Harden. With the game held in their hometown, the two had some time to catch up during Saturday's practice session.

Casey was all smiles as he conducted practice, while Rex Kalamian had his game face on, much like he did when he coached Team World to a 155-124 victory over Team U.S. In the Rising Stars challenge on Friday night.

The highlight of All-Star Weekend, in addition to getting to play alongside the best in the league, is getting to enjoy the experience with your family. DeMar DeRozan spoke at length about his daughters getting to join in on the weekend with him before heading to L.A.

Fans were granted access to observe All-Star media availabilities this year. Of course, even in L.A., #WeTheNorth was well represented and their support was heard loud and clear.

Lowry didn't waste an opportunity to give a shout out to the fans who were on hand showing love.

For Casey, the weekend is a special one. Not only is it his first time representing his organization as an All-Star game coach, he is the first coach in Raptors franchise history to have earned the honour. He spoke about what the weekend means to him during media availability.

To kick off All-Star Saturday night, Kyle Lowry posed alongside his fellow JBL 3-point contestants.

Lowry didn't make it to the Final round, where Tobias Harris, Devin Booker and Klay Thompson battled it out for the trophy — with Booker coming out on top —, but he had DeRozan and Serge Ibaka sitting courtside showing their support.

Finally, during Lowry's All-Star Saturday night media availability, it was all love for DeRozan as Lowry let everyone know that's his best friend in the world.

The bestie backcourt will hit the court Sunday night with Team Stephen to face off against Team LeBron and head coach Dwane Casey when the All-Star Game tips off at 8 P.M. ET.

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2018 All Star Weekend: Day 2 Recap

NBA All-Star 2018 is officially underway. DeMar DeRozan, Kyle Lowry, and the Raptors coaching staff are all in Los Angeles, where the city will host All-Star for the third time.

Though the main event isn't taking place until Sunday, Feb. 18 At 8 P.M. ET, festivities are already in full swing. The All-Stars spent Friday giving back in a big way for the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service.

Every year, the NBA has a full slate of NBA Cares events for players and staff to give back to the host city. At the conclusion of NBA All-Star 2018, more than 15,500 members of the NBA family, including current and former players and coaches, will have participated in NBA Cares events since the inaugural event in 2008.

This year, things got kicked off at Compton Unified School District's Thomas Jefferson Elementary School where the backcourt mates helped in the construction of a student-designed playground.

Raptors head coach Dwane Casey and assistant coach Patrick Mutombo were all smiles heading in to lend a hand at Thomas Jefferson Elementary. In addition to the backcourt All-Stars, Toronto's coaching staff also took part.

A look at the mural painted by Toronto's coaching staff and family, dubbed the "Pat Mutombo mural" by Casey, thanks to Mutombo's artistic finishing touches.

In addition to their handiwork outside, DeRozan and Lowry also spent time students in their classrooms.

While DeRozan, Lowry and the coaching staff were busy with outdoor activities, the Raptors assistant coaching staff got ready for the Kickstart Rising Stars challenge. The Rising Stars showcase features 10 first-and-second year NBA players from the U.S. facing off against 10 first-and-second year players from around the World. Raptors assistant Rex Kalamian coached Team World, including Canadians Jamal Murray and Dillon Brooks.

Following a Rising Stars practice session, Kalamian and the rest of the Rising Stars participated in a Jr. NBA event where they hosted more than 1500 local youth for a series of basketball clinics. In addition to the on-court drills, those in attendance also were treated to words of wisdom from various members of the NBA family, including Team Stephen captain Stephen Curry who spoke about the importance of sports and education.

During Friday's main event, Kalamian's Team World cruised to a dominant victory, defeating Team U.S. 155-124. Sacramento's Bogdan Bogdanovic was named game MVP after scoring 26 points on a perfect 6-for-6 field goals, to go with 11 rebounds and three assists.

With a successful Day 1 in the books, Toronto's All-Stars prepared for Saturday's schedule that will see both All-Star teams practice and go through media availability in advance of All-Star Saturday night. While DeRozan will be waiting for Sunday's game, Lowry will be participating in All-Star Saturday Night, competing in his third three-point competition, beginning at 8 P.M. ET.

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2018 All Star Weekend: Day 1 Recap

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Toronto Raptors head coach Dwane Casey and his staff will coach Team LeBron at the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, which will be played Sunday, Feb. 18 at 8 p.m. ET at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Casey is the first coach in franchise history to earn the honour.

With tonight’s 123-111 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers, the Raptors (33-15, .688) clinched the best possible record in the Eastern Conference through games played Sunday, Feb. 4 among the 14 conference teams with a head coach eligible to participate in the 2018 NBA All-Star Game. Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics is ineligible because he coached the East in last year’s All-Star Game.

Under Casey’s leadership the Raptors have won three Atlantic Division titles and advanced to the postseason in a franchise-record four consecutive seasons. He has guided the club to a 294-230 (.561) regular-season mark in seven seasons, including the only two 50-win seasons in team history. Casey is the longest tenured coach in franchise history and is the team’s all-time winningest coach. He has earned the NBA Coach of the Month award five times (Dec. 2017, Dec. 2016, Jan. 2016, Nov. 2014, Dec. 2013). Casey is the only coach in franchise history to win the award multiple times.

Los Angeles will mark Casey’s third NBA All-Star Weekend. He was a member of Seattle SuperSonics head coach George Karl’s staff who coached the Western Conference All-Stars in 1998 (New York) and 1996 (San Antonio).

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Dwane Casey Earns Coaching Spot In 2018 NBA All-Star Game

The NBA announced Tuesday that guard Kyle Lowry has been named as a reserve for the 2018 All-Star Game in Los Angeles. Lowry will participate in his fourth consecutive NBA All-Star Game. It will mark the third straight year both Lowry and DeMar DeRozan have been selected to the NBA All-Star Game and fourth time in franchise history the Raptors will have two players participate in the game. DeRozan was already voted as a starter by the fans, media and players. Toronto also had two players in the 2001 NBA All-Star Game when Vince Carter was joined by Antonio Davis, who was named by the League as an injury replacement.

The 14 reserves were chosen by the 30 NBA head coaches, who were asked to vote for seven players in their respective conferences -- two guards, three frontcourt players and two additional players at any position. They were not permitted to vote for players from their own team.

Lowry is averaging 17.0 points, 6.7 assists (ninth in the NBA), a career-high 6.0 rebounds and 33.0 minutes through 42 games played this season. He is shooting .397 (127-for-320) from three-point range and ranks eighth in the NBA in three-point field goals. Lowry has scored 20-or-more points 11 times, including a season-high 40 points Jan. 20 at Minnesota. He leads the team with 14 double-doubles and two triple-doubles. 

A product of Villanova in his 12th season, Lowry was selected 24th overall by Memphis in the 2006 NBA Draft. Toronto acquired Lowry from Houston on July 11, 2012. He owns career averages of 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 31.1 minutes in 755 games (519 starts). Lowry is the franchise’s all-time leader in three-point field goals (955), ranks second in assists (2,687) and fourth in points (7,142). 

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Kyle Lowry Named As A Reserve For 2018 NBA All-Star Game

The NBA announced Thursday that guard DeMar DeRozan was voted a starter for the 2018 NBA All-Star
  Game in his hometown of Los Angeles. This marks the fourth time DeRozan has been selected as an All-Star and
  the second straight year he has been voted-in as a starter. He finished second in fan, media and player voting
  among Eastern Conference guards for a weighted score of 2.0.

"Having the opportunity to play an NBA All-Star Game in my hometown is amazing, and being able to
  represent Toronto – my other home – makes it even better," DeRozan said. "It's a great honour to be selected as a
  starter again, and I want to thank my teammates and coaches, the fans across Canada, the media, and the entire
  NBA community. I appreciate your votes."

DeRozan, a native of Compton, was selected ninth overall by Toronto in the 2009 NBA Draft following one
  season at USC. He is the franchise's all-time leader in career points (12,538), field goals made (4,451), free throws
  made (3,352) and games played (638). DeRozan has also contributed to 326 regular-season and 17 playoff
  victories, which is the most by any player in franchise history.

DeRozan is averaging a team-high 25.2 points (third among East guards), a career-high 5.0 assists and is
  shooting a career-best .345 (48-for-139) from three-point range. He has led (or tied) the Raptors in scoring during
  26 of the team's 30 victories this season. Highlighting DeRozan's 2017-18 campaign was a franchise-record 52-
  point performance Jan. 1 vs. Milwaukee – the most points scored on New Year's Day in NBA history. DeRozan has
  been named Eastern Conference Player of the Week three times – Jan. 1-7, Dec. 18-24 and Nov. 13-18.

Toronto has had at least one NBA All-Star in five consecutive seasons. DeRozan now ranks third in team
  history behind Vince Carter (5) and Chris Bosh (5) for most All-Star selections.
  The starters for the 67th NBA All-Star game were announced on TNT. The network will unveil the reserves,
  as selected by NBA head coaches on Jan. 23 at 7 p.m. (ET). The team rosters will be revealed Jan. 25 at 7 p.m.
  (ET).

Fans accounted for 50 percent of the vote to determine the NBA All-Star Game starters, while current
  players and a media panel accounted for 25 percent each. LeBron James (2,638,294 fan votes) edged Giannis
  Antetokounmpo (2,530,211) as the top overall vote-getter among fans, while Stephen Curry (2,379,494) led the
  West. Kevin Durant (2,238,406) and Kyrie Irving (2,170,833) also had the highest fan totals in their respective
  position groups.

After all votes were tallied, players were ranked in each conference by position (guard and frontcourt)
  within each of the three voting groups – fan votes, player votes and media votes. Each player's score was
  calculated by averaging his weighted rank from the fan votes, the player votes and the media votes. The two
  guards and three frontcourt players with the best score in each conference were named NBA All-Star Game
  starters. Fan voting served as the tiebreaker for players in a position group with the same score. This year, the
  tiebreaker was not needed to determine a starting spot.