B/R Halloween Roundtable: NBA Stars but Make ‘em Candy

B/R Halloween Roundtable: NBA Stars but Make ‘em Candy
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1Devin Booker
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2Damian Lillard
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3Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown
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4Kawhi Leonard
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5Nikola Jokić
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6Jimmy Butler
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7LeBron James
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B/R Halloween Roundtable: NBA Stars but Make ‘em Candy

Oct 31, 2022

B/R Halloween Roundtable: NBA Stars but Make ‘em Candy

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 26: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat smiles during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 26, 2022 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 26: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat smiles during the game against the Portland Trail Blazers on October 26, 2022 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

Happy Halloween, hoops fans. We've officially reached the point where Spooky season and the NBA season have collided.

On this All Hallows' Eve, there are no tricks here—just treats.

We asked Bleacher Report's Dan Favale and Emily McCarthy to name some NBA stars as Halloween candy, and in the spirit of the seasons, they came through in the clutch.

Keep reading to find an MVPeanut Butter M&M, a sour-sweet star duo, a legend as polarizing as Halloween's most debated candy...then hit the comments to share your own ideas.

Devin Booker

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 10: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns smiles and looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 10, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 10: Devin Booker #1 of the Phoenix Suns smiles and looks on during the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 10, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images)

Candy: Twix

Twix is an understatedly comprehensive candy that never receives enough recognition for its completeness. Could there be a better parallel for Devin Booker's game?

Silky smooth chocolate is Book's mid-range J. Delectably hard caramel is his change-of-speed attacks and tougher-nosed one-on-one defense. The vanilla shortbread cookie is the complex simplicity with which he moves away from the ball. Its flawless crunch is his live-dribble passing.

That Twix tends to come in twos underscores Booker's evolved decision-making out of double-teams. Twix is Devin Booker, and Devin Booker is Twix.

—Dan Favale

Damian Lillard

PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers arrives to the arena before the game against the Miami Heat on October 26, 2022 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)
PORTLAND, OR - OCTOBER 26: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers arrives to the arena before the game against the Miami Heat on October 26, 2022 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Cameron Browne/NBAE via Getty Images)

Candy: Ferrero Rocher

Damian Lillard is far from ordinary—built different, you might say. So are Ferrero Rochers.

The layering experience of whole crunchy hazelnut cloaking a delicate wafer shell ensconcing creamy hazelnut, all concealed in distinct gold wrapping, is matchless. It is a culture-setting candy, offering an exuberant sight and taste to behold while also acting as the adult in the room.

That is Dame in an, ahem, hazelnutshell.

—Favale

Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown

MIAMI, FL - MAY 25: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat during Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2022 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - MAY 25: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics and Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics warms up prior to the game against the Miami Heat during Game 5 of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Finals on May 25, 2022 at FTX Arena in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by David Dow/NBAE via Getty Images)

Candy: Sour Patch Kids

First they're sour, then they're sweet.

This is especially fitting for the 2021-22 edition of Tatum and Brown, who, along with the rest of the Celtics, struggled to a very sour 18-21 start before turning things around for a (mostly) sweet finish.

The Jays are fan favorites who pack a punch without doing too much. They're different flavors that coexist perfectly in the same bag. They're great on their own and even better together.

—Emily McCarthy

Kawhi Leonard

SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 22: John Wall #11 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 22, 2022 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CA - OCTOBER 22: John Wall #11 and Kawhi Leonard #2 of the Los Angeles Clippers looks on during the game against the Sacramento Kings on October 22, 2022 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

Candy: Cadbury Creme Eggs

This candy is everything—purposely filling on its own and versatile in flavor (creme, chocolate cream, caramel, etc.). It can be your sweet treat lifeline at any time.

Much like Kawhi Leonard, though, Cadbury Creme Eggs are best enjoyed in the spring.

—Favale

Nikola Jokić

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 19: The Denver Nuggets huddle up before a game against the LA Clippers on January 19, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 19: The Denver Nuggets huddle up before a game against the LA Clippers on January 19, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Candy: Peanut Butter M&M's

Peanut butter is the flavor of M&M's best suited to satiate you on its own, but it's also so much more—not unlike a certain Serbian superstructure.

The experience is equal parts physical (hard chocolate shell) and smooth (peanut butter!) and comes at you in droves (you never get just a singular M&M).

Its versatility also knows few bounds. Need it to be your all-everything? No sweat. But it plays well with others, too. Bake it in cookies. Mix it into ice cream. Combine in a large bowl with other M&M's to uplift or complement the rest.

In any given season, pitted against any delectably worthy opponent, peanut butter M&M's can be the MVC (most valuable candy).

—Favale

Jimmy Butler

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on in the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - OCTOBER 29: Jimmy Butler #22 of the Miami Heat looks on in the third quarter of the game against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center on October 29, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Candy: Skittles

Skittles come in a rainbow of flavors. So does Jimmy Butler.

Primary playmaker. Go-to defender. Scoring lifeline. Free-throw-parade thrower. Overpriced coffee shop owner. Part-time, early-morning personal trainer. The list goes on. And it is an experience that runs the gamut of outcomes.

Are Skittles satisfying and fully equipped to be the best candy in your arsenal of Halloween goodies? Absolutely.

Can their commingling of a hard sugar shell and hydrogenated oil-doused interior be shrapnel for the roof of your mouth and teeth when consumed in large quantities and without the proper candy pairings to offset the self-grating? Also yes.

Building around Jimmy Butler is not for the faint of heart. It is a commitment to the gladiatorial and to tailoring the culture and roster around not just his play style but mindset. In a way, then, the Miami Heat are the bag of Skittles, and Jimmy is the most prevalent flavor within it.

—Favale

LeBron James

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 26: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers arrives to the arena before the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 26, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 26: LeBron James #6 of the Los Angeles Lakers arrives to the arena before the game against the Denver Nuggets on October 26, 2022 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)

Candy: Candy Corn

Candy corn is the undisputed GOAT of Halloween candies–depending on who you ask.

With staunch defenders and vocal haters, no candy is more polarizing than candy corn.

But even those who refuse to eat candy corn can appreciate it as a Halloween icon. It's timeless, consistent and nostalgic. It's the kind of candy that could average 30 points per game even when new candies rise to the top shelf.

It might not be a universal favorite, but year after year, it's still among the best.

—McCarthy

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