This past weekend, the NBA held its annual All-Star Weekend in Los Angeles. The weather was immaculate, the vibes were top-notch, and the celebrities were out in droves. The Obamas even had a date night for the All-Star Game.
I was blessed with the opportunity to sit down with Chris Paul, who just announced his retirement from the NBA after 21 seasons, and Jarred Vanderbilt, the young center for the Los Angeles Lakers.
Hearing the perspectives of both a future Hall of Famer and a young buck building his legacy encapsulated all the emotions I felt during All-Star Weekend. This year was truly the passing of the guard, seeing the young guys do their thing while the older heads gave us what felt like a goodbye tour.
1.
Chris, you’ve been in the NBA for two decades, and you just announced your retirement yesterday. Can you tell me what you believe is the biggest difference on the offensive and defensive side of the ball from when you came into the league versus now?
2.
Jarred, you were drafted by the Orlando Magic in 2018, and you’ve played on a handful of teams. Now you’re with the Lakers. What is something you would tell your younger self back in 2018 with all the knowledge that you have now?
3.
Chris, you were the president of the NBA Players Association for eight years. What were you most proud of accomplishing during your time in that role?
4.
Jarred, you have so many superstars on the Lakers: Lebron James, Luka Doncic, AR. What is something that you believe you bring to the table, the intangibles or behind-the-scenes moves, that a casual fan may miss?
5.
It’s NBA All-Star Weekend! What event are you most excited for?
6.
Jarred, why aren’t you in the dunk contest this year?
7.
Chris, would you ever consider coaching in the NBA?
8.
Jarred, your fashion and style are such a big part of who you are. Do you have any influences in the fashion world?
9.
Do you have any upcoming projects or anything you’re really excited about that you would love to talk about?
It’s the 100th anniversary of Black History Month this year! Follow all of our coverage here. Of course, the content doesn’t end after February. Follow BuzzFeed’s Cocoa Butter on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest Black culture content year-round.
