When it comes to the NBA All-Star Game that ended with Team LeBron downing Team Steph 148-145 at Staples Center on Sunday night, that’s all anybody ever wanted.

“We wanted to kind of change the narrative of the All-Star Game being a joke,” Kevin Durant said. “Today we wanted to make it a real basketball game.”

Said LeBron: “It worked out not only for the players, not only for the league, but for our fans, for everybody.

Instead of East v. West, the Chris Paul-inspired change meant that leading vote getters LeBron James and Stephen Curry would pick teams just like kids do every day on your local playground.

Former Cavs teammates Kyrie Irving (13 points, nine assists) and All-Star Game MVP LeBron James (29 points, 10 rebounds, eight assists) paired up for the game-winning play.

Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan couldn’t get a three-pointer off from the right corner at the buzzer, as Kevin Durant and his Team LeBron teammates played the kind of suffocating defense that you simply don’t see in this affair. Portland’s Damian Lillard and DeRozan led Team Steph in scoring with 21 points.

It didn’t take long to sense the new-and-improved vibe, and the revelatory moment came at DeRozan’s expense.

Durant was the next one to follow the new blueprint – Golden State Warriors allegiances be darned. On one early first quarter possession, he contested a three-pointer from Klay Thompson one second and dived back into the lane to defend the rim on a Draymond Green drive the next.

when Team LeBron – with James himself directing traffic while waving arms from the bench – put the full court press on Team Steph (Team Steph led 78-76 at the half). Much like the signs of early sweat and players actually calling out defensive assignments, it was atypical in every way.

Jordan himself made an appearance late in the fourth quarter, meeting with Lakers owner Jeanie Buss and Clippers owner Steve Ballmer at center court to receive the proverbial pass. This much is clear,