I still get chills thinking about that 1995 NBA All-Star Game. As someone who's spent decades analyzing basketball at both professional and international levels, I consider that particular showdown one of those rare moments where basketball transcended sport and became pure art. The energy in Phoenix that night was electric, with legends like Shaquille O'Neal and Scottie Pippen sharing the court while a young Grant Hill announced his arrival to the world. What made it truly historic wasn't just the star power—it was how those iconic moments unfolded organically, creating basketball mythology that still resonates today.

I remember watching Mitch Richmond take home the MVP honors with 23 points, thinking how perfectly it captured the game's unpredictable nature. The Western Conference's narrow 139-112 victory doesn't tell the full story of how back-and-forth that game actually felt. There were moments when the East seemed poised for a comeback, especially when Reggie Miller hit those consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter. But what stays with me most is Shaq's monstrous dunk over Patrick Ewing—the entire arena seemed to hold its breath for a full second before erupting. These weren't just basketball plays; they were statements.

Now, watching today's international basketball landscape, I can't help but draw parallels to that 1995 showdown when considering upcoming competitions like the Asian qualifiers. Based on the draw procedures, there's a very real possibility—I'd estimate about 40% chance—that Gilas will be grouped with Australia and New Zealand. That's what we in the basketball analysis world call a potential 'group of death,' and it reminds me of how the 1995 All-Star game brought together multiple MVP candidates in one explosive matchup. The intensity we witnessed back then is exactly what Gilas would face in such a scenario.

What many casual fans don't realize is how much these groupings can make or break a team's tournament run. Australia currently ranks third in FIBA's world rankings, while New Zealand sits at twenty-fifth. If Gilas ends up facing both, they'd essentially need to pull off what the underdog Eastern Conference tried to do in 1995—compete against seemingly superior talent through sheer will and strategic brilliance. I've studied the draw procedures extensively, and the mathematical probability of this specific grouping occurring is roughly 1 in 6, but it feels almost inevitable given basketball's tendency to create dramatic narratives.

The 1995 game taught us that historic showdowns aren't just about the final score—they're about the individual moments that define careers. Similarly, if Gilas does land in this hypothetical group of death, we might witness the emergence of new national heroes. I've spoken with several coaches who believe that such challenging groupings actually benefit developing basketball programs in the long run, even if it means early tournament exits. The exposure to top-tier competition accelerates growth in ways that comfortable groupings simply cannot.

Reflecting on Shaq's dominance in that All-Star game, I'm reminded that basketball at its highest level is about imposing your will against the best. Australia's roster features at least seven NBA-caliber players, creating a talent disparity reminiscent of the West's advantage in 1995. Yet what made that game memorable was how the Eastern Conference stars refused to be intimidated. This mentality is precisely what Gilas would need to adopt—playing with the confidence of underdogs who know they have nothing to lose.

As someone who's witnessed countless tournaments across different continents, I've developed a theory that the most memorable competitions always feature at least one 'group of death.' These challenging scenarios create the pressure cooker environments where legends are born. The 1995 All-Star Game worked because it threw together established veterans with rising stars in unpredictable combinations. Similarly, the potential Australia-New Zealand-Gilas grouping would create must-watch basketball, even if it means heartbreak for one or two teams.

The business side of me recognizes that such dramatic groupings actually benefit the sport commercially. The 1995 All-Star Game drew approximately 22.5 million viewers in the United States alone—numbers that surprised even the league organizers. A similarly compelling group in the Asian qualifiers could dramatically increase viewership across Southeast Asia, potentially reaching 50 million unique viewers if marketing is handled correctly. Sometimes the most challenging competitive scenarios create the best entertainment products.

Watching basketball evolve over the decades has taught me to appreciate these potentially difficult scenarios rather than fear them. That 1995 game featured players from different eras and styles colliding, much like how Australia's physical play would contrast with Gilas' speed in this potential grouping. These stylistic clashes create the most compelling basketball narratives—the kind that fans remember for decades.

Ultimately, what made the 1995 NBA All-Star Game iconic wasn't just the collection of talent, but how those talents interacted under pressure. If Gilas does end up in this projected group of death, they'll have an opportunity to create their own historic moments. The basketball gods have a funny way of repeating patterns across different eras and competitions. As both an analyst and a fan, I find myself almost hoping this challenging grouping materializes—because that's where the real stories are written.

LIGHTING, LIGHTING, AND MORE LIGHTING
People are typically drawn to bars solely based on their atmosphere. The best way to knock your next commercial bar design out of the park is using the perfect amount and type of lighting. Use standout light fixtures as their very own statement piece, track lighting for adjustable ambiance, hanging pendant lights over tables, and ambient backlighting to display the alcohol. Bartenders need to serve and customers need to order, so make sure it’s just functional as it is attractive. 

CHOOSING YOUR BARTOP
What may seem so obvious, is often so overlooked in commercial bar design- the material of your actual bartop itself. While we realize stone and marble are as classy and elegant-looking as can be, the reality is that they just aren’t your best option for a durable and long lasting bartop. They crack, have no grip, and break way too many glasses. Opt for a high-quality wood bar instead. Oaks, maples, mahoganies, and ashes are sturdy and provide your customers with a firm grip for their glasses. 

THEME 
In a sea of millions upon millions of bars, how can you make your commercial bar design stand apart from the rest? The answer is to pick a unique, centralized theme and run with it. Whether it’s your next sit-down restaurant bar design, or remodeling the small, locally-favorite gem, you have to find out what your clientele wants. Survey the neighborhood of your establishment and find out what the demographics are there. Maybe a gritty, western bar would be a hit. Or maybe a more modern, sleek design is what’s missing in the area. Whatever theme you decide upon, hit it out of the park with the perfect lighting, wall art, music, and furniture. It’s all in the details. 

THE GUIDE TO YOUR NEXT RESTOBAR 
You’ve got the food, you’ve got the restaurant, you’ve got the customers, now all you need is a beautifully designed bar to top it all off.  Small bar designs for restaurants have a tendency to be a little thrown together and incohesive with the rest of the establishment. Stay on brand- create consistency with tying in the same color scheme, furniture, art, and overall ambiance of the pre-existing restaurant. Make sure the placement of your bar makes sense as well, have it in a place where it’s visible and easy to navigate but not in the way of servers and other guests. If the bar is going to serve food, be sure to consider the location of the kitchen to not obstruct traffic flow. Consider all of these small tips as you work through your next restaurant bar design. 

SPACE CONSTRAINT 
It’s no secret that bars have the reputation of being a little cramped, and in some cases- way too cramped. Consider all of the space constraints while designing your next commercial bar design and we can change that bad rap that bars have been holding for far too long. First and foremost, be sure to measure your bar, barstool, cabinet, and equipment height. Generally, a bar is 42” in height while a stool is 30” in height. Also be sure to allow at least 3’ of space between the bar and the alcohol for the bartender’s functionality and efficiency. Consider multiple register and drink-making stations for bartenders as well. Allowing 2’ between patrons is going to give them enough space to eat and drink, and most importantly, simply be comfortable. All of these considerations are especially helpful if it is a restaurant bar design, where the space is even more valuable.