All-Star Weekend proves once again that challenges are different than games as Tyrese Maxey and Scottie Barnes hilariously fail to make easy shots.
As entertaining as it can be to see athletes demonstrate their skills in carnival-like competitions, it’s true that many of the challenges during NBA All-Star Weekend are starkly different than gameplay.
Nothing proved this more than the two stars of the Clorox Clutch Challenge, 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey and Raptors forward Scottie Barnes. For all their phenomenal play as young offensive forces in the league, the 21-year-old Maxey and 20-year-old Barnes hilariously failed to make the easiest shots in this All-Star Challenge.
Within 39 seconds, Maxey made one three-pointer out of five total shots, missing an easy layup from in front of the basket. Barnes was a little worse, missing his first four shots in front of the basket. He redeemed himself by making his fifth inside the three-point line, but then he missed a three-pointer after the buzzer sounded.
Tyrese Maxey and Scottie Barnes fail miserably at Clorox Clutch Challenge shooting contest
This season, both Maxey and Barnes have gotten major acclaim for the way they play—in games, at least. In November, Kevin Durant complimented Barnes for his high basketball IQ at such a young age, saying that his intellect and skill are “rare” for a rookie. Durant added that Barnes is only going to get better.
Last season, Maxey proved to be elite at attacking the basket, averaging 13.5 drives per 36 minutes, which was fourth-most among last year’s rookie class. This year, it was Maxey who held it down in Philly while Ben Simmons refused to play before he was traded to the Nets. The Raptors and 76ers are poised to make the NBA Playoffs, and it’s in large part to these dynamic young players.
Perhaps that’s why the two were good-natured about the loss, as Maxey smiled about having “made people laugh” with their hilarious misses. “We’re gonna be on ‘Shaqtin A Fool’ tomorrow,” Maxey joked with Barnes.
As much as the Internet won’t let Maxey and Barnes live this one day, by next week, everyone will be reminded of just how elite these two are when they’re not playing around during All-Star Weekend.