All-Star Weekend Participants

[Kevin]

Skills Challenge:

Patrick Beverley
CJ McCollum
Isaiah Thomas
Jordan Clarkson
Anthony Davis
Karl-Anthony Towns
Draymond Green
DeMarcus Cousins

Dunk Contest:

Zach Lavine
Will Barton
Aaron Gordon
Andre Drummond


3PT Contest:

Devin Booker
J.J. Redick
Stephen Curry
James Harden
Klay Thompson
Chris Bosh
Khris Middleton
Kyle Lowry

All-Star Starters

WEST

G: Stephen Curry

G: Russell Westbrook

F: Kobe Bryant

F: Kawhi Leonard

F: Kevin Durant

EAST

G: Dwyane Wade

G: Kyle Lowry

F: Paul George

F: LeBron James

F: Carmelo Anthony

All-Star Reserves:

WEST

G: James Harden
G: Chris Paul
F: Anthony Davis
F: LaMarcus Aldridge
F: Draymond Green
G: Klay Thompson
F: DeMarcus Cousins

EAST

G: Jimmy Butler
G: John Wall
F: Paul Millsap
F: Andre Drummond
F: Chris Bosh
F: DeMar DeRozan
G: Isaiah Thomas

Rising Stars Challenge

U.S. Team

Jordan Clarkson, G, Lakers
Rodney Hood, G, Jazz
Zach LaVine, G, Timberwolves
Nerlens Noel, F, 76ers
Jahlil Okafor, C, 76ers
Jabari Parker, F, Bucks
Elfrid Payton, G, Magic
D'Angelo Russell, G, Lakers
Marcus Smart, G, Celtics
Karl-Anthony Towns, C, Timberwolves

WORLD TEAM

Bojan Bogdanovic, F, Nets
Clint Capela, C, Rockets
Mario Hezonja, G, Magic
Nikola Jokic, C, Nuggets
Trey Lyles, F, Jazz
Emmanuel Mudiay, G, Nuggets
Raul Neto, G, Jazz
Kristaps Porzingis, F, Knicks
Dwight Powell, F, Mavericks
Andrew Wiggins, G, Timberwolves

[NovU]

Looks like another meh year for Dunk Contest.

Bosh in 3 pt contest? He's gonna embarrass himself. He's no Dirk.

Sophomores are lucky to not play against rookies. Rookies would have murdered them top to bottom.

Beverley, KAT, and Cousins in skills challenge? Nice to see big men getting their shot, especially KAT's pick is impressive for already getting recognized as skillful big man. Beverley however I think could be replaced by many.

It's funny it's those same people that defend Kobe allstar inclusion criticize Wade inclusion the most. When was the last time Kobe truly deserved to be an allstar? Right, it's been forever. Wade's still playing at high level and he gets in for the better reason. Can we shut up now about Wade.

[Andrew]

Yeah, that's going to be interesting to see some bigs in the Skills Challenge. Could get ugly, but entertaining all the same.

I see LaVine going back-to-back in the dunk contest. It's an underwhelming field, but good dunk contests don't always need a lot of star power, just creativity from the competitors. I'm not sure we'll see much of that outside of LaVine and Barton, though I am hoping to see Drummond attempt a free throw line dunk. It might be the only shot he makes from the foul line all week.

Curry's surely winning the three-point shootout. Thompson would be my second choice, followed by Redick. Middletown's my dark horse pick, but Curry's still my prediction.

[iamSamke]

What about that shooting contest where Bosh won 3 years in a row?

[Andrew]

No Shooting Stars competition this year.

[mp3]

Bosh is a decent enough 3 point shooter now but his release is pretty slow so I wonder how he will speed that up so that he finishes all the racks.

Will be interesting to see all the bigs in the skills challenge.

[I Hate Mondays]

Bosh said that he would love to be in the 3PT contest on live TV, it wasn't like the NBA was going to throw his statement at the garbage can. If he scores enough in the first round and he gets in the top 3, that would be dope.

[iamSamke]

No Shooting Stars competition this year.

[Andrew]

Can't say I share the heartbreak. It had its moments, I guess, but to me it's always been the weakest event. I say bring back the three-on-three.

phpBB [video]

Also, RIP, Moses.

[PeacemanNOT]

http://www.nba.com/2016/news/as.celebri ... l-release/

Don't forget the Celebrity Game.

[iamSamke]

Omg, Raonic is playing Celebrity Game! I love him!

[Andrew]

T-Mac and Muggsy.

[mp3]

If there adding former nba players now then I call for Michael Jordan next year!

I know they have Michael "B" Jordan but I think they can go one better next year!

[Andrew]

I doubt we'd see Michael Jordan ever take part in those games. Perhaps we'll see Kobe next year, though!

[mp3]

I don't know, I mean we have former players and also the Bucks part Owner in there this year so it could pave the way for him.

I could also see players Rodman doing it one year or Starks.

They did used to have a legends game yesteryear but from what I heard most of the greats had real trouble fitness wise.

[Andrew]

Yeah, but none of them are Michael Jordan. I reckon he's one of those players who wouldn't participate in those events, and fair enough if he's not interested. I know a couple of top tier NBA Legends have in the past, including Magic Johnson, but I just don't see MJ doing it.

They had the Legends game up until 1993, then replaced it with the rookie game in 1994. It was definitely a good call, as a couple of guys got hurt, there was oxygen on the sideline, and it was a little depressing to watch.

[NovU]

As much as I'd like to see MJ playing, I think there's good chance someone would get hurt considering MJ's competitive nature and everyone wanting to make a highlight against him with full A effort.

[Patr1ck]

I think a nice quick 3-on-3 half court tournament with 4 teams made up of legends could be entertaining. They could mic them up or something.

[Andrew]

Gasol has been named as Jimmy Butler's replacement on the Eastern squad.

Final predictions?

Celebrity Game: Team USA
Rising Stars Challenge: Team USA
Skills Challenge: Isaiah Thomas
Three-Point Contest: Stephen Curry
Dunk Contest: Zach LaVine
All-Star Game: West
All-Star Game MVP: Stephen Curry, setting a new record for scoring along the way

[[Q]]

I think a nice quick 3-on-3 half court tournament with 4 teams made up of legends could be entertaining. They could mic them up or something.

Fuck it they should do Rock n Jock with the 50 point baskets and shit