NBA All Star Weekend

It is now time for me to make my predictions about who wins what during the NBA All Star weekend starting today.  The NBA decides to make their All Star event a whole weekend, unlike other professional sports where it is usually just one single game.  Events on Friday include the All Star celebrity game and the Rising Stars Challenge.  Saturday is the Shooting Stars event, the skill challenge, three point contest, and the ever popular slam dunk contest.  While Sunday holds the big event, the actual NBA All Star game.  So her we go, my predictions based on hours of research and deep digging, and then threw that out and just guessed.

NBA Celebrity Game
This game may not be the most entertaining to watch because most of the players are very talented basketball wise, but it is funny to see them try and play like NBA players.  Kevin Hart is a name that stands out, he was MVP last year even though he did not really deserve it.  He was outplayed by a teammate Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, who if he had played the whole game could of had a quadruple-double.  I am also looking at Terrence Jenkins, he looks like a guy that has some skills and athleticism, so he may be a sleeper to watch out for. I look for the East team to take home the trophy because Russell Westbrook is the coach and he will have his team ready to play and intense, just like he is.

Rising Stars Challenge
I really enjoy watching this game because it showcases the up and coming talent in the NBA.  The game used to be the sophomore players against the rookies, but last year they changed it up and mixed the players into both teams.  This is a high flying event much like the much like the actual All Star game, not much defense is played...at all.  Last year Kyrie Irving put on a showcase by not missing a three point shot and dishing out nine assists, finishing with 34 points.  When I look at the rosters, found here Link, I think that Kyrie Irving could repeat as MVP, but Bradley Beal could take that crown from him this year.  But for most dunks, I think that the choice is obvious, Kenneth "The Manimal" Faried.  He is one of the most athletic players in the NBA and can jump over people, so he is hands down my favorite for most and best dunk.

Three Point Contest 
There is a much more going on on Saturday but I think this is and the dunk contest are the only thing worth watching.  Last year had some big names in the event with Kevin Durant and Kevin Love going to the final round.  This year is a little more unknown names, but no less deadly shooters.  When I look at the rosters for both conferences, I think the finals will be down to Steve Novak and Steph Curry, both can shoot lights out from beyond the arc.  If you look at the stats going into the weekend, Novak and Curry have the exact same percentage from three land.  And my prediction is...Steve Novak! After watching this guy shoot three pointers this year, there may be no way that he can lose, I mean check out this highlight reel Link.  This is actually I think going to be a great event because even though Kyle Korver was left out, this field is as strong as I have seen in a while.

Dunk Contest
Besides the actual All Star game, this is the most popular event of the weekend.  People love high flying dunks with what seems like more and more props every year.  Honestly I think the dunk contest is barely worth watching, I mean there are only so many dunks that can be done, and those have probably been done already anyway, hence the reason for more props.  This year the conference pitted against each other with the winner from each conference going against the winner from the other.  The field this year is not especially strong, and also very young.  Which could be good because younger players will have less fear and try harder things, but also could be bad because they are inexperienced.  But when I looked at who was competing the name that stood out to was Kenneth Faried, and yes I have mentioned him before, "The Manimal" which is a very fitting nickname for him.  I hope he just jumps through the hoop with the ball, that would automatically make him win, the man can jump.  Maybe if he jumps "over" a car like Blake Griffin he has a chance...

NBA All Star Game
I hope when Vegas puts the over/under for this game up its over 300 because the total score seems to rise every year as less and less defense is played.  This and the Rising Stars game may be the only thing this weekend that I watch.  Last year was a very popular game because Kevin Durant went home with the MVP trophy, and pretty much everyone likes Durant.  This year I think the only snub was Steph Curry, he is top ten in scoring, and his team is fifth in the west, so I have no idea how he got left off the Western roster.  This is going to be a good game this year, with Lebron playing as well as he has lately he could easily take the MVP trophy this year, especially with his intensity and competitiveness.  But Kobe Bryant will give him a run for his money because he never wants to lose, especially the All Star game, this could be a heck of a game if it is close going into the 4th quarter when the intensity picks up.  You know...when it matters.  Well look for the game to be high scoring, fast paced and so many dunks it will be ridiculous...and awesome.    

Everybody tune in if you have a whole weekend free to watch basketball, it will be entertaining!