Arcade Fire’s Win Butler Named MVP at NBA Celebrity All-Star Game
Arcade Fire‘s Win Butler helped guide the Drake-coached Team Canada to victory at Friday night’s NBA Celebrity All-Star Game at Toronto’s Ricoh Coliseum, with the singer posting a double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds. Following the game, Butler accepted the game’s MVP Award with a center-court interview where Butler spoke about living in Canada and, briefly, talked about what American voters could learn from their northern neighbors.
“I’ve lived in the great city of Montreal for 15 years. I represented Montreal. If you guys want to fast track my Canadian citizenship, hopefully, this’ll help my permanent residence,” said Butler, who also participated in 2015’s all-star celebrity game. “I just want to say that I’m retiring as a celebrity right now, so I will not be eligible for the celebrity game next year. I’m retiring as a celebrity, so I brought this home for Canada. Respect to Drake, respect to Team Canada.”
The singer then added, “I just wanna say it’s an election year in the U.S., and the U.S. has a lot it can learn from Canada— healthcare, taking care of people, and I think…” At that point, ESPN reporter Sage Steele boxed out the 6’4″ Butler from the microphone, saying, “So we’re talking about celebrities and not politics. Congratulations on your MVP!”
In a post-game press conference, when a reporter asked Butler to explain to those unfamiliar with Arcade Fire what exactly he does, the singer quipped, “Mostly basketball. I do a little bit of music on the side.” Eventually, a frustrated Butler finally asked the pool of reporters, “Have you guys ever heard of my band before? We’re a pretty good band.”
Butler added that his dream would be for Montreal to get their own NBA team.
Butler also posted a photo of him celebrating his MVP win with his “trainer,” director Spike Jonze.