Wang Yi's pick had every fan buzzing with excitement.
Seeing Curry and James play together had already been something many fans had hoped for;
But seeing James, Curry, and Wang Yi all play together would be an absolute joy.
This year, Wang Yi didn't enter either the Slam Dunk Contest or the Three-Point Contest.
With his level of skill, competing in a three-point or dunk contest would feel like playing with a bunch of kids.
There'd be no point to it.
Besides, he had already won both the Dunk King and Three-Point King titles at the All-Star Game for three years in a row.
There was no point in winning them again.
And there was another reason: this year's All-Star Game fell right during the Lunar New Year holiday in China.
So Wang Yi brought his parents along, too.
He could spend the All-Star weekend enjoying some quality time with them.
He and his parents, Nicole, the James family, and the Paul family sat in the stands to watch this year's All-Star Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest.
Watching the games live from the stands was a rare experience for him, too.
Relaxing and fun.
In the end, fans were deeply disappointed with this year's Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest.
One fan didn't mince words:
"If they're desperate, they should let South Korean players enter the Slam Dunk Contest. At least that would be funny. Today's contest was neither spectacular nor funny. I can't find a single thing worth watching."
"The Slam Dunk Contest is pointless without Wang Yi."
"I'm not watching the Slam Dunk Contest anymore unless Wang Yi's in it."
"What kind of nobodies are these in the Slam Dunk Contest? They're just embarrassing us."
The Three-Point Contest that followed was even more of a letdown.
Several