I haven’t personally been this excited for an All Star weekend in a very, very long time. Houston, TX, plays host to the best of the best in the annual West versus East All Star match, the Sprite Slam Dunk competition, the Foot Locker Three Point contest and many more exciting events over two days. Here’s how I see the weekend going:
All Star Game:
I predict that the West will win, again, to make it three in a row. With a starting line-up of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin and Dwight Howard, you would think it would be a walk in the park too; but you would be wrong. The Eastern Conference team host an equally talented team with Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Carmelo Anthony, Kevin Garnett and Brook Lopez replacing injured Rajon Rondo. Expect to see James Harden reunited with Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook which will ignite fireworks on the court. Kevin Garnett and Carmelo Anthony will be on the same team following their confrontation a matter of weeks ago, and that is sure to be interesting. My pick for MVP? Gotta go with Kobe Bryant who is playing in his fifteenth straight All Star game.
Sprite Slam Dunk Competition:
Now this is exciting. Gone are the days of Jordan dunking from the free-throw line and admittedly, the competition has been rather blasé since. But this year features six incredible dunkers and I have a good feeling about the levels they will go to. Representing the Eastern Conference is Gerald Green (Pacers), Terrence Ross (Raptors) and James White (New York) and on the Western Conference team is Eric Bledsoe (Clippers), Jeremy Evans (Jazz) and Kenneth ‘Manimal’ Faried (Nuggets). My heart is telling me Western Conference wins with last year’s winner Jeremy Evans and Kenneth Faried topping the points table. But my brain says Eastern Conference baller Gerald Green takes it out.
Foot Locker Three Point Contest:
This year, the competition will feature three Western Conference players challenging three Eastern Conference players with the highest scoring player being named the champion. The Eastern Conference team features Paul George (Pacers), Kyrie Irving (Cleveland) and Steve Novak (New York). The Western Conference team sports Ryan Anderson (Hornets), Matt Bonner (Spurs) and Stephen Curry (Warriors). Statistically, Curry is the favourite, shooting just under 45% on three pointers this season. Next, would be Novak who is 44% followed by Kyrie Irving who is at 42%. Ryan Anderson is the only survivor from last year’s contest in which Kevin Love edged out Kevin Durant for the win. My pick? Paul George of the Pacers will make it rain.
Rising Stars Game:
Team Shaq vs Team Chuck. This is bound to be interesting. Shaq picked Damian Lilliard and Chuck picked Anthony Davis; are you excited yet? This is set to be one of the greatest Rising Stars games of all time. Team Shaq consists of Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers), Andre Drummond (Pistons), Klay Thomson and Harrison Barnes (Warriors), Chandler Parsons (Rockets), Dion Waiters (Cavaliers), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (Bobcats),Tyler Zeller (Cavaliers) and Kemba Walker (Bobcats). I’d like to see most of these guys in the bloody All-Star game. Then there’s Team Chuck which features Ricky Rubio (Timberwolves), Isaiah Thomas (Kings), Kenneth Faried (Nuggets), Kawhi Leonard (Spurs), Bradley Beal (Wizards), Tristan Thompson (Cavaliers), Nikola Vucevic (Magic), Brandon Knight (Pistons) and Alexy Shved (Timberwolves). Is it just me or is there just not as much ‘oomph’ in Charles Barkley’s team? Team Shaq wins.
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