Jayson Tatum has had an uneven second season in the NBA, but his talent remains clear. Tatum also continues to believe in his potential.

“I know I’m going to be an All-Star,” Tatum said. “It wasn’t this year, so it will be next year. There are definitely certain guys that are able to achieve things at faster rates than others, and I know I can be one of them. Nobody puts higher expectations on me than myself.”

Tatum's efficiency has dropped this season as his usage has increased amidst a disappointing regular season for the Celtics.

“It’s no secret: Everybody in the world can see that our team is different this year than last year,” Tatum said. “It’s taking some time. Every time we lose a game, it’s not the end of the world. We all have to bring it, and it starts with me too.”

The 2019 NBA All-Star Game drew a combined 6.779 million viewers, which was down 11 percent from last year's 7.654 million mark.

The game was the second featuring the leading vote-getters selecting teams.

While last year's game featured LeBron James and Stephen Curry as captains, this year's game had James and Giannis Antetokounmpo selecting their teammates.

Dwyane Wade and Dirk Nowitzki were presented with a framed All-Star Game jersey to commemorate their final appearance. 

"This one was special. I'm just thankful for the NBA for making sure and accommodating one of the things that I didn't even think I needed or wanted. My team did an amazing job, my family. I couldn't ask for anything more of this weekend. It definitely was my most enjoyable. People like to ask, and this one will take the place now as my most memorable and most enjoyable All-Star," said Wade.

Wade added that it was easy to leave the game considering the talent in the league.

"The game is in good hands. So it's easy to walk away right now."

Nowitzki went 3 for 3 from deep in 4 minutes of play. Wade added 7 points and 4 assists in 10 minutes.

Kyle Kuzma won Rising Stars Challenge MVP and admitted he was motivated by the $25,000 bonus.

"Facts," Kuzma said. "I think it was the second timeout, and I broke the huddle by saying, 'Bonus-1-2-3.' So there you go."

Kuzma scored 35 points in Team USA's 161-144 win over Team World.

"I played last year and was lackadaisical," Kuzma said, "so I didn't want to do that again.

"There was a lot of great players out there, All-Stars, we're all young rising stars in this league. Obviously it's an exhibition, but it's always better to have bragging rights whenever you can."

Kevin Durant was not surprised to be LeBron James' first pick in the All-Star Game draft for the second straight year.

"What else is he supposed to do?" asked Durant following the Warriors' 117-107 win over the Suns.

Durant has come under media scrutiny recently after saying that he doesn't trust the press.

DeMarcus Cousins came to Durant's defense.

"It's a credit to his mental toughness. I don't think he gets enough credit for how much bulls--- he deals with on the daily. He has his personal life. He's probably top-two, top-three guys in the league when it comes to ... just dealing with media -- him, Bron, maybe Steph [Curry]. It's a tough life -- always having a camera in your face, never really having privacy -- and it's obvious how much he gets attacked just on the social media and from a fan standpoint. He deals with a lot, he has a lot coming at him, and he's still able to block that out and come out and produce on a nightly basis. So that's a credit to him. Like I said, I don't feel he gets enough credit for it," added Cousins. 

LeBron James took Kevin Durant with the first overall pick in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game draft as well as Anthony Davis with his first reserve pick.

Starters
1. LeBron: Kevin Durant
2. Giannis: Stephen Curry
3. LeBron: Kyrie Irving
4. Giannis: Joel Embiid
5. LeBron: Kawhi Leonard
6. Giannis: Paul George
7. LeBron: James Harden
8. Giannis: Kemba Walker

Reserves
9. Giannis: Khris Middleton
10. LeBron: Anthony Davis
11. Giannis: Nikola Jokic
12. LeBron: Klay Thompson
13. Giannis: Ben Simmons
14. LeBron: Damian Lillard
15. Giannis: Blake Griffin
16. LeBron: Russell Westbrook 
17. Giannis: D'Angelo Russell
18. LeBron: LaMarcus Aldridge
19. Giannis: Nikola Vucevic
20. LeBron: Karl-Anthony Towns
21. Giannis: Kyle Lowry
22. LeBron: Bradley Beal

Third Round
23. LeBron: Dwyane Wade
24. Giannis: Dirk Nowitzki

Charlotte Hornets forward Miles Bridges, Atlanta Hawks forward-center John Collins, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Hamidou Diallo and New York Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. will feature in the 2019 Slam Dunk on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Competing in his home arena, Bridges is the Hornets’ first Slam Dunk participant since 2010 (Gerald Wallace).

Collins leads Atlanta in scoring (19.6 ppg) and rebounding (10.0 rpg) and ranks ninth in the NBA in field goal percentage (58.4).

Diallo, a 6-5 guard, recorded a 44.5-inch maximum vertical jump at the 2017 NBA Draft Combine.

Smith returns to Slam Dunk after finishing third last season.  

Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns and former champions Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors and Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks will participate in the 2019 3-Point Contest on Saturday, Feb. 16 at Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. 

Expanding to 10 players this year, the MTN DEW 3-Point Contest field includes 2019 NBA All-Stars Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers, Khris Middleton of the Milwaukee Bucks and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets as well as Seth Curry of the Portland Trail Blazers, Danny Green of the Toronto Raptors, Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets and Buddy Hield of the Sacramento Kings.

Khris Middleton reiterated his desire to stay with the Milwaukee Bucks for his entire career despite their small market size.

He added that Giannis Antetokounmpo also wants to remain in Milwaukee, saying that it's not about the market but about the team.

"Giannis has been here his whole career and he hasn't told us or made us think he wanted to leave. From everything I've heard, he wants to be here his whole career and I feel the same way. For us, it's not being in the right market, it's being on the right team. This organization - they've done everything they can to make sure we succeed," said Middleton. 

Middleton has 1-year remaining on his contract. 

Michael Malone and his staff will coach Team LeBron in the 2019 NBA All-Star Game.

With Saturday’s 107-106 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Nuggets (37-15, .712) clinched a tie with the Golden State Warriors for the best record in the Western Conference through games played on Sunday, Feb. 3.