2013 NBA All-Star Weekend: 62nd All-Star Game

[Andrew]

The All-Star Weekend culminates with the All-Star Game on Sunday. East vs West, featuring the best of the best (at least in theory, though as always there are plenty of stars in the game this year).

East

* Carmelo Anthony (Knicks)
* LeBron James (Heat)
* Kevin Garnett (Celtics)
| Rajon Rondo (Celtics)
* Dwyane Wade (Heat)
Chris Bosh (Heat)
# Tyson Chandler (Knicks)
Luol Deng (Bulls)
# Paul George (Pacers)
# Jrue Holiday (76ers)
# Kyrie Irving (Cavaliers)
# Brook Lopez (Nets)
# Joakim Noah (Bulls)

West

* Kevin Durant (Thunder)
* Blake Griffin (Clippers)
* Dwight Howard (Lakers)
* Kobe Bryant (Lakers)
* Chris Paul (Clippers)
LaMarcus Aldridge (Trail Blazers)
Tim Duncan (Spurs)
# James Harden (Rockets)
David Lee (Warriors)
Tony Parker (Spurs)
Zach Randolph (Grizzlies)
Russell Westbrook (Thunder)

* – denotes starter
# – denotes first-time selection
| – denotes injured and will not participate

As always, I'm hoping that the game will remain close and be reasonably competitive, at least down the stretch if not through most of the game as it once was. I'm inclined to pick the West to win this one with Durant becoming a back-to-back All-Star MVP, though if the East does win I'm guessing LeBron will be the standout player taking home MVP honours. However, I'll lock in the West (with Durant as the MVP) as my pick and I expect I'll enjoy the game to some degree.

There are also rumblings that Carmelo Anthony may miss the game, though he hasn't officially been scratched as of this post.

[NovU]

I am going with West too. I think East players are too cool to actually give rat's ass about this competition.

[Andrew]

I'm guessing it'll have more to do with the squad for each team, but that's just me.

[graybakflip]

East, most of the new all-stars are here, I think they'll be more hungrier esp w/ LBJ leading the team. Must see match-ups would be Kobe vs Wade(again lol), can't wait to see Lopez w/ the big stars

[NovU]

Must see match-ups would be Kobe vs Wade(again lol),

I want him to break more than Kobe's nose this time so he can win a championship through full of injuries as usual. Some more greatness to add to Kobe's spectacular resume despite his injury riddled career!

[Andrew]

I'm looking forward to LeBron/Durant more than Kobe/Wade.

[stereoxide]

I've got the West in this one. Their overall team looks stronger than the East. The East also will be without Rondo and maybe will not have Melo.

[sevin0seven]

WEST-SIDE-E!

[NovU]

I'm looking forward to LeBron/Durant more than Kobe/Wade.

Their matchups's like a twilight love story though. It's all kisses-n-hugs.
Kevin Durant on LeBron James: ‘People want us to hate each other so bad’

[Andrew]

Perhaps there isn't any hate, but their play on the court is far more interesting and entertaining than Twilight. More personality, too.

[stereoxide]

West winning their 3rd straight ASG. CP3 with the MVP well deserved by him.

[daninoz]

For me, it was pretty boring. The best part was the last one, with Kobe destroying LeBron on defense.

[Bruce]

Kobe probably planned to do this all week before the ASG.

[RedPhazon8]

For me, it was pretty boring. The best part was the last one, with Kobe destroying LeBron on defense.

It seemed like Kobe was following the MJ Scouting Report, and he was rather successful in shutting LeBron down a bit.

[NovU]

Kobe makes a history yet once again. First player to play defense in ASG.

[Andrew]

I actually thought we got a pretty good All-Star Game this year. Naturally, we saw less defense than what we'd see in a regular season or Playoff game, but it wasn't exactly a dirty word either. For most of the time the game was close, with quite a few ties and lead changes. There was some fancy stuff, some nice alley-oops and dunks...I don't think you can ask for too much more out of the Game. Well-earned MVP performance by CP3.

[Jeffx]

Ne-Yo??? Alicia Off-Keys??? C'mon NBA get some folks who can actually sing!

[shadowgrin]

Kobe makes a history yet once again. First player to play defense in ASG.

Nope.

Ben Wallace once blocked Pau Gasol 3-4 times in one possession in an ASG.