Rook-Soph game now Rising Stars Challenge

[Martti.]

NBA All-Star 2012 will play host to the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, which will introduce an exciting new format to a game that has historically featured NBA rookies facing off against sophomores. For the first time, rookies and sophomores will be mixed together on teams. ...

TNT Analysts Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as the general managers of two opposing teams, each with nine man rosters, consisting of NBA rookies and sophomores drafted from a pool that was previously selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches. ...

The pool of players will be announced on Feb. 8, followed by the live BBVA Rising Stars Challenge Draft on Thursday evening, Feb. 16. Fellow TNT Analysts Mike Fratello and Steve Kerr will be part of the coaching staffs for the teams, with Fratello joining TEAM CHUCK and Kerr joining TEAM SHAQ. The Head Coaches for both teams will be the lead assistant coaches from the 2012 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs.

Don't know how it will play out, I liked the old format, but this could be very fun to watch. I hope Norris Cole makes it.

[Lamrock]

May as well do it this way. It's a boring event, though I'm not sure taking out the excitement of the Rookies occasionally winning it is a good idea.

[JaoSming]

......i boo this. The worst part of this game was all the kids in the stands screaming at the top of their lungs....

if it wasn't broken why fix it

[NovU]

Good. Seperate Wall and Cousins.

[Andrew]

Reminds me of the mixed teams of the first couple of rookie games. I wouldn't have minded if they'd kept the Rookies vs Sophomores format, but I'm OK with the change. Perhaps it'll make for a bit more of an evenly matched game amidst the highlight reel.

[[Q]]

maybe this will open the door for players in their 3rd year who didn't play much/rode the bench in their 1st year.

regardless, there will be a riot if Jeremy Lin is not selected...

[shadowgrin]

maybe this will open the door for players in their 3rd year who didn't play much/rode the bench in their 1st year.

two opposing teams, each with nine man rosters, consisting of NBA rookies and sophomores drafted from a pool that was previously selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches

Jeremy Lin would be ashamed for your lack of reading skills Q.

[kevin02]

May as well do it this way. It's a boring event, though I'm not sure taking out the excitement of the Rookies occasionally winning it is a good idea.

Yeah that's what I thought when I first read this. I'll be interested to see how soon some of the rookies get picked though.

[Fluke32]

I thought the only reason they did it this season is the lack of Big men in the rookies this season. XD

[Andrew]

Could certainly be a part of it.

[Kenny]

I personally liked the idea of the draft classes getting pitted against eachother, but I guess the new format would make for a more exciting game.

[Sauru]

the old way was better. unless of course you want to do rookie vs sophomore east vs west game

[deihatein]

Reigning Rookie of the Year Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers, the Cleveland Cavaliers' Kyrie Irving, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 NBA Draft, and Minnesota Timberwolves rookie Ricky Rubio, who ranks third overall in assists, lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2012 BBVA Rising Stars Challenge to be held on Friday, Feb. 24, in Orlando during NBA All-Star 2012.

Joining Griffin from the Sophomore class are: DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Paul George (Indiana Pacers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards).

Irving and Rubio are joined by fellow first-year players MarShon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats), and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves).

http://www.nba.com/2012/allstar/2012/02/08/shooting-stars-roster-pool/index.html?ls=iref:nbahpt2

[Martti.]

No Cole. Although the rookie class is only filled with PG's.

[Mavs4Life]

No Jeremy Lin

[Fluke32]

First picks will be big men. There's only 6 viable big guys, and 1 of them isn't really that big.

[Dc311]

Tiago Splitter and Kawhi Leonard.I must say well deserved.

[Andrew]

the old way was better. unless of course you want to do rookie vs sophomore east vs west game

I'd have liked that, as I liked the East rookies vs West rookies format they ran with for a few games in the late 90s; same deal, only they'd be able to draw on standout sophomores as well. It'd basically be a "junior" version of the All-Star game, mostly comprised of rising stars and noteworthy young players who don't belong at the big game just yet. If they look to tweak the format again in the near future, I'd like to see them go that way.

[Fluke32]

We all know who's gonna be first pick in this game, it's gonna be Blake Griffin. Let's predict who's gonna come 2nd. XD

[Andrew]

I'm guessing it's between Irving or Rubio.

[Martti.]

Probably Cousins, so few big men available.

[deihatein]

John Wall?

[Fluke32]

I'd pick Rubio or Irving first before John Wall right now.
2nd pick is very tricky. lol

[Andrew]

I completely overlooked Wall. Probably a decent prediction, though I'd probably still go with Rubio or Irving.

[Murat]

from wat i remember it was a rookie game before, it was east rookie and west rookie.