Mac McClung of the G League’s Osceola Magic poses for a portrait during the NBA Circuit Portraits as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
Players participating in the Castrol Rising Stars descended upon San Francisco on Thursday and gave answers to fan questions from an @NBA Reddit AMA. Check out some of the best responses below.
Who would you most like to join you to play in the All-Star Game if you could choose any current player?
Mac McClung (Team G League): I would have to say Trevelin Queen, my teammate. He is one of the best players I have ever played with, and he is making the most of his opportunity with the Orlando Magic. It’s just fun watching that.
Toughest player to guard?
Stephon Castle (San Antonio Spurs): Toughest person I have had to defend is Vic [Victor Wembanyama]. Just defending him in practice. He can do everything; he’s 7’4″.
What was your “IT” NBA moment?
Jared McCain (Philadelphia 76ers): Probably when we played the Lakers and LeBron (James) scored on me in the post. I guess I was a part of history now. That was pretty cool.
Scoot Henderson (Portland Trail Blazers): Last year, first game [vs. LA Clippers]. Just getting ready for the game, that was my “it” moment. I was getting ready for my first NBA game just that time before the show; that was that moment.
Julian Strawther (Denver Nuggets): It came during my rookie year against the Clippers down in Crypto Arena. Russell Westbrook, my teammate now, James Harden, and Paul George all called me up for an Iso [isolation play] about four or five possessions in a row. That was a surreal feeling, for sure.
What’s the hardest move to guard? Both on the perimeter and in the paint.
Brandon Miller (Charlotte Hornets): I don’t know about a move, but a player? Steph Curry. Only because he passed it, I looked away for one second, and then I noticed him coming off three screens. It’s hard guarding Steph, there’s really nothing you can do. If he sees a wide open one? Might as well just call it a layup. Just run back on defense.
Stephon Castle of the San Antonio Spurs poses for a portrait during the NBA Circuit Portraits as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
City with the best food?
Ryan Dunn (Phoenix Suns): Phoenix has the best pizza, the best bagels, the best everything. We have every type of food.
Castle: I had some good food in Phoenix. I don’t remember what restaurant I went to, but I had some good food out there. It was a steak; it was a steakhouse, but I forgot what it was called. But yeah, Phoenix.
Victor Wembanyama (San Antonio Spurs): So, San Antonio has that one chicken place. It’s fire. In Houston, the chicken noodle soup is good, too.
How do you like Atlanta so far? Is it living up to your expectations?
Zaccharie Risacher (Atlanta Hawks): I love Atlanta. It feels old! I am getting used to the life and am super happy to be able to enjoy and take advantage of a big city. I feel like it’s a great city with great people. I feel super grateful to be part of it. I am super excited for the next months and years here.
What’s it been like in Phoenix so far? What’s your favorite Arizona animal and ones you’re seen?
Dunn: Wow, I have been enjoying Phoenix. The weather is beautiful unless it’s June, July, or August. The craziest animal I have seen is a coyote. I saw one in the mountains, and it was scary. But Phoenix is mad cool, I have been enjoying it other than that.
What are your top 3 candies?
Alex Sarr (Washington Wizards): I would have to say [Haribo] Twin Snakes, the Gummy Bears and probably Sour Patch Kids.
Matas Buzelis of the Chicago Bulls poses for a portrait during the NBA Circuit Portraits as part of NBA All-Star Weekend.
What’s your favorite memorabilia that you’ve gotten so far?
Matas Buzelis (Chicago Bulls): I would have to go with these custom Lithuanian Hyperdunks by (Jonas) Valančiūnas.
Which player from the past would you want to team up with?
Risacher: I would have to say Michael Jordan. Or Kobe Bryant. I watched a lot of clips of them when I was a little kid. I really loved [Kobe’s] game, and he is just one of the first players I watched growing up. I think it would be really cool.
Buzelis: Tracy McGrady. He was my favorite player. Just the energy and the creativity he had.
Who is the toughest individual defender you have ever played against?
Miller: Me. Brandon Miller. I am the only one that knows what I am going to do. Only me can stop me!
Ausar Thompson (Detroit Pistons): The hardest player I have had to defend would be Kawhi [Leonard], my rookie year. I haven’t guarded him again, so part two? I am ready for it.
Wembanyama: Probably Steph! He just runs around so much.
Which All-Star player do you look up to and why?
Tristan da Silva (Orlando Magic): There’s a bunch. Kobe, Dirk, and there are current All-Stars that have been in the All-Star game for decades. LeBron, KD. There’s so many good players, it’s just crazy to be part of this weekend.
Outside of your home arena, what are your favorite arenas to play in?
Strawther: Outside of Ball Arena, I probably gotta go with Toronto. Toronto has the second-best arena.
How often do players with the ball pay attention to the shot clock? Do other players count down for them or is it just a feel? I see some players look up at the clock, but there’s no way you’re focusing on both that and the court, right?
Ausar Thompson: I feel like once you cross half-court, you know how much time you have. You play and get into your actions. Then they will shout and signal to let you know you’ve reached another point in the shot clock, whether that’s 8 or 6 seconds. You kind of always have a clue.
McCain: You have to look at it, hear the crowd, and kinda know what is going on. And you kinda feel it, you know, when 24 seconds is going down. It’s pretty easy to know.
