The San Antonio Spurs contingent caused quite a stir during the NBA Skills Challenge on All-Star Saturday Night this year, as Chris Paul and Victor Wembanyama’s efforts to skirt the rules were rejected by the league as if they were an errant shot swatted back by Wemby himself.
Early in the event, it became clear that Paul and Wembanyama believed they had found a loophole. While fans are used to seeing participants struggle to make the shots and passes throughout the routine, the Spurs stars opted for speed. They simply tossed the balls stationed at each of the most difficult shooting and passing drills, same as if they “missed” on each try.
Team San Antonio finished the course in fewer than 50 seconds, but were quickly informed by the NBA that they were disqualified. As a league official notified Paul and Wembanyama of the news, TNT Sports reporter Allie LaForce was denied an interview with the two troublemakers.
“I’m trying to get the insight here, I’m diving into the argument, but I’m getting … a Heisman,” LaForce said on the TNT broadcast, referring to the stiff-arm she received from the league.
Serious situation here as Team Spurs are informed they’re officially disqualified. Allie LaForce’s interview is immediately denied. 🤐 pic.twitter.com/87iufa4zH6
— Josh Paredes (@Josh810) February 16, 2025
Playing along with the silliness of the situation, announcer Kevin Harlan clamored for more info.
“This is our last year to have the chance to do this, we need our microphones right there,” Harlan joked. “I’m not sure who that gentleman is, but he’s got lots of answers.”
It wasn’t until a late-night press conference from Draymond Green of Team Warriors that fans finally got an explanation. Green revealed that it was not the longtime instigator Paul who tried to skirt the rules, but Wembanyama.
According to Green, Wembanyama checked with league officials to clarify that he was allowed to speed through three “attempts,” and was told he could.
“It was actually a Wemby decision,” Green said. “The old man followed the rookie.”
Draymond Green vouches for Victor Wembanyama, saying that he saw him ask several officials if he could use the strategy Wemby and Chris Paul used to hack the #NBAAllStar2025 Skills Challenge.
(🎥: @DaltonJ_Johnson) pic.twitter.com/nCqxDmO5Js— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) February 16, 2025
The truth at last.
Green clearly wants a career in NBA media, and he was able to flash some reporting chops here after the league came with an iron fist and blocked LaForce from uncovering the truth.
About Brendon Kleen
Brendon is a Media Commentary staff writer at Awful Announcing. He has also covered basketball and sports business at Front Office Sports, SB Nation, Uproxx and more.