The crisp sound of squeaking sneakers echoes through my home office, a familiar soundtrack to my Saturday morning ritual. I’m watching highlights from last night’s games, a steaming mug of coffee in hand, and my mind inevitably drifts to the spectacle ahead. The All-Star game. It’s more than just an exhibition; it’s a showcase of egos, of raw, unfiltered talent unleashed for one glorious night. And the question that always dominates my thoughts this time of year materializes once more: Who will be crowned the 2024 NBA All-Star MVP?

I remember the 2022 game in Cleveland, watching a seemingly unstoppable Stephen Curry drain three-pointer after three-pointer, the net barely rippling. He finished with 50 points, a performance so dominant the MVP award felt like a foregone conclusion by halftime. That’s the thing about this game—it can be a coronation of a superstar’s peak, a narrative written in real-time. But it can also be a chaotic, unpredictable scramble. Last year, Jayson Tatum’s record-setting 55 points felt like a statement, a young king seizing his moment on the national stage. This year, the landscape feels different, more open. You have the established titans like LeBron James, who, even in his 21st season, possesses the court vision and sheer will to orchestrate the entire affair if he so chooses. Then there’s Giannis Antetokounmpo, a force of nature whose sheer physicality can overwhelm any All-Star defense, which, let’s be honest, is often more of a suggestion than a strategy.

My gut, however, keeps pulling me towards Luka Dončić. There’s a certain magic to his game, a chaotic creativity that feels tailor-made for the All-Star environment. He sees passes no one else does, and in a game where players are more willing to attempt the spectacular, his highlight-reel potential is off the charts. I can already picture him throwing a no-look, behind-the-back pass from half-court for an alley-oop. He’s my sentimental favorite. But sentiment doesn't win you MVP trophies; buckets do. And that’s where the true gunners come in. This thought brings me back to a piece of analysis I read recently, a quote that stuck with me from a coach discussing a different level of competition, but one that feels oddly applicable here. The sentiment was about being prepared for any eventuality, for any designated shooter to get hot. It was Holt who said, "Nonetheless, whether it’s Oftana or any of TNT’s designated gunners, Holt said he’ll be ready." That phrase, "designated gunners," it just fits the All-Star ethos so perfectly. Every team has them—the players whose primary, and sometimes sole, function in this game is to put the ball in the hoop. Think of a Damian Lillard, pulling up from the logo without a second thought. Or a Trae Young, flinging floaters and deep threes with a smirk. These are the players who can rack up a staggering point total in a hurry, and against a relaxed defense, they can put up video game numbers. If one of these designated gunners gets into a rhythm early, the MVP conversation could be over before the third quarter.

Let’s talk numbers, even if we have to speculate a little. For a player to truly stamp their authority on the MVP race, I believe they need to be flirting with a triple-double or an obscene point total. We’re talking at least 40 points, maybe 8 or 9 assists, and a handful of rebounds. Or a more balanced 35-12-15 line. Last year, Tatum’s 55 points came on 22-of-31 shooting, including 10 three-pointers. That’s an efficiency level that’s hard to argue with. This year, I’m looking at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. His methodical, mid-range mastery might seem out of place in a run-and-gun affair, but that’s exactly why it could be so effective. While everyone else is jacking up threes, he could be consistently, efficiently, putting two points on the board every time down the floor. He’s averaging over 31 points per game in the regular season; it’s not a stretch to imagine him dropping 45 in a game with zero defensive pressure.

Of course, there’s a dark horse. It always happens. Someone you barely considered comes out and steals the show. Last year, it was almost Jaylen Brown with his 35 points and 14 rebounds supporting Tatum. This year? Keep an eye on Paolo Banchero. The young man plays with a veteran’s poise and a scorer’s mentality. In this environment, with all that space, his powerful drives to the rim could be unstoppable, and he’s more than capable from beyond the arc. He’s the kind of player who could surprise everyone and walk away with the hardware. So, as I finish my coffee and the highlights reel ends, my prediction is set. My head says the narrative and the sheer offensive firepower point to Luka Dončić finally grabbing his first All-Star MVP. The stage is set for him. But my heart, and a healthy dose of respect for cold, hard efficiency, tells me not to sleep on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And I’ll be watching closely for any of those designated gunners, because as Holt wisely noted, you have to be ready for any of them to go off and turn the game, and the MVP race, on its head. It’s going to be a fun one to watch.

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.