I still remember the excitement building up to the 2020 NBA All-Star Game announcement, having followed basketball religiously for over fifteen years. When the complete list finally dropped, it felt like Christmas morning for basketball enthusiasts like myself. The selection process always sparks heated debates among fans and analysts, and this year was no different. What made the 2020 roster particularly fascinating was how it balanced established legends with emerging talents, creating what I believe was one of the most compelling All-Star lineups in recent memory.

The Western Conference starters featured LeBron James captaining Team LeBron for the third consecutive year, joined by luminaries like James Harden, Luka Dončić in his spectacular sophomore season, and Anthony Davis. Seeing Dončić make the starting lineup at just 20 years old was absolutely mind-blowing - the kid was averaging 28.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 8.8 assists per game at that point, numbers that would make veterans twice his age envious. Over in the East, Giannis Antetokounmpo led Team Giannis with his dominant two-way play, surrounded by talents like Joel Embiid, Pascal Siakam having his breakout season, and the ever-reliable Kemba Walker. What struck me most was the international flavor - with players hailing from Slovenia, Greece, Cameroon, and Canada, the NBA had truly become a global spectacle.

Now, this is where things get interesting from my perspective as someone who's analyzed basketball roster construction for years. The selection process reminded me somewhat of how teams in other leagues manage their star players through injuries and comebacks. I recall covering a situation in Philippine basketball where a player returned to action in the succeeding edition of All-Filipino conference half a year later - coincidentally also against Akari - in a winning effort in Candon City. That strategic approach to managing player availability and timing comebacks resonates with how NBA teams and the league itself handles All-Star selections, especially concerning players working their way back from injuries or managing workload.

The reserves selection sparked plenty of discussion in my circle. Chris Paul's inclusion at age 34 was particularly satisfying to witness - his leadership had transformed the Oklahoma City Thunder beyond anyone's expectations. Donovan Mitchell, Rudy Gobert, and Damian Lillard were no-brainers in my book, though I'll admit I was personally disappointed to see Devin Booker initially left off the roster despite averaging 27.1 points per game. The Eastern Conference reserves featured some fascinating choices - Jimmy Butler bringing his trademark intensity, Kyle Lowry's veteran savvy, and Ben Simmons' all-around game. The inclusion of Bam Adebayo signaled the rising importance of versatile big men who could facilitate offense - he was averaging 15.8 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, numbers that barely capture his defensive impact.

What made the 2020 All-Star Game format particularly engaging was the return of the Elam Ending, where teams played to a target score rather than against the clock in the fourth quarter. This innovation created incredibly competitive fourth quarters, a vast improvement over the often-lackluster finishes of previous years. The game itself delivered spectacular moments - Anthony Davis hitting the game-winning free throw for Team LeBron, Kawhi Leonard earning the Kobe Bryant MVP Award with his 30-point performance, and the emotional tribute to Kobe throughout the weekend. From where I sit, the NBA nailed the competitive balance that year - the game felt meaningful while still celebrating the sport's entertainment value.

The financial implications for these All-Stars were substantial too. Many had bonus clauses in their contracts - I recall reading that making an All-Star team could trigger incentives ranging from $500,000 to over $1 million depending on the contract. For younger players on rookie deals, this recognition often preceded massive contract extensions the following summer. The marketing boost is immeasurable - appearing in the All-Star game typically increases a player's social media following by 15-20% according to industry data I've seen, though I'd need to verify the exact numbers.

Looking back, the 2020 All-Star selections captured a transitional moment in NBA history. We had established superstars like LeBron and Chris Paul sharing the stage with rising talents like Luka and Trae Young. The international representation reached what I believe was a record 7 players from outside the United States, reflecting basketball's growing global footprint. The game itself, played on February 16th at the United Center in Chicago, provided a memorable spectacle right before the world changed dramatically with the pandemic. In my assessment, the 2020 All-Stars represented both the rich history and exciting future of basketball - a perfect snapshot of where the league stood at that moment in time. The selections, while always debatable, ultimately celebrated excellence across generations and playing styles, giving fans like myself plenty to appreciate and debate for years to come.

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.