Kostas Papanikolaou Contributes In Team World 121-112 Win

The Houston Rockets will proudly have three representatives in the Big Apple this weekend in the NBA’s annual All-Star game festivities.

I knew James Harden was a shoo-in to be there but it’s good to know two other reps — Patrick Beverley and Kostas Papanikolaou will be there to represent H-Town in Rocket Red!

Harden completely dominated my television screen as he was making appearances around the city.

He even ceremoniously rung the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange along with Kevin Durant!

You know you’ve made it big when you get to bestow on such an honor! Makes me extra proud.

But anyway, last night was Papanikolaou’s as he made his debut for All-Star weekend as a member of the World team roster in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars basketball game.

I do have to say whomever designed the uniforms for this game deserves an award because it was quite innovative with the whole “NYC” theme incorporating the city’s massive skyline.

Of course, the World black unis looked a lot better and it’d be definitely some threads that I could sport! In the Rising Stars game, these guys play two 20-minute halves versus the standard 12-minute quarters that we’d see in your everyday game.

This is amateur basketball at best and it’s mostly around to showcase the NBA’s rising stars to give them an opportunity to show their stuff on a massive, elongated worldwide stage.

Papanik checked into the game with 13:39 left in the first half ready to do whatever was needed to help his team win and show some of stuff he had been doing with the Greek Olympiakos basketball team before his NBA debut.

Feb 13, 2015; New York, NY, USA; World Team forward Kostas Papanikolaou of the Houston Rockets (16) shoots the basketball against U.S. Team center Nerlens Noel of the Philadelphia 76ers (4) during the second half at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

He did the things that he’s normally asked to do here — rebound, play defense and take a scoring opportunity when it’s available.

Although I have to say there was little defense being played in a game that’s largely seen as an exhibition. Papanik didn’t score until about the 8:24 mark before the end of the half — it was a smooth-as-silk running layup off a backdoor pass.

This put the World team up by eight points, 38-30. His next scoring opportunity with 6:58 to go didn’t look as refined as he had the open lane to lay it in but missed it terribly as it sailed over the rim.

It didn’t matter, he was having fun and that was all that mattered.

Papanik even interrupted Harden’s interview with TNT’s Rachel Nichols shortly before the end of the half which involved an exchange that offered a chuckle.

Watch it here:

"“Is James Harden the MVP?” “Why do you keep asking me these things?” https://t.co/Unfcnm2kdh — Houston Rockets (@HoustonRockets) February 14, 2015"

Anyway, Papanikolaou ended with two points, three rebounds and three assists in 16 minutes of action that he at least tried to make the most of.

For Team World, Andrew Wiggins led all scorers with 22 points and six rebounds. Giannas Antetokounmpo, another fellow player of Greek descent, had 12/10 while Rudy Gobert had 18/12.

For Team USA, Victor Oladipo and Zach LaVine led all with 22 points each.

LaVine had a dunk with 9:22 left in the 1st half with hang-time so long, I wondered if he was ever going to fall back to Earth!